Candy Udell: The Luxe Jewelry Industry Icon Who's Made Saving Abandoned Dogs Her Mission
Candy Udell, President of London Jewelers, helped transform that industry with innovations made in the family-owned business. For the past four years, she's added animal advocate and angel to her lost list of accomplishments, and with her rescue and transport non-profit, Rescue Paw Foundation, she's making a big difference in their lives, too. Hear her story and what's she's doing to save dogs.
BIO:
Candy Udell, President of London Jewelers, began her career at London Jewelers in 1973, the same year she married Mark Udell, son of Fran and Mayer Udell and grandson of Charles London, founder of the family business in 1926. London Jewelers is highly respected and considered by the jewelry and watch industries as innovative leaders. Prominent trade publications, both domestic and international, have sought their views and insight on the industry workings. The Udells were approached by Basel World Daily News of Switzerland to provide testimony for the largest jewelry and watch fair in the world. They were also chosen to participate in the JA New York testimonial ad campaign featured in April 2009 National Jeweler and other major industry trade publications.
Candy graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialty in communications. Her forte at London Jewelers is fostering the creative side of the business to include merchandising, marketing, advertising, store design and adding the finishing touches and details, which have helped make London Jewelers what it is today.
Through the years, Candy has been the recipient of numerous awards. In 1995, she was awarded the Women’s Jewelry Association Award for Excellence/Retail, recognized as Retailer of the Year by the American Jewish Committee and was awarded Jeweler of the Year by the New York State Jewelers Association in 1991. She also served on the Board of the Jewelry Information Center. In 2004, she was a recipient of the prestigious AGS Triple Zero Award, and in 2006, was selected by InSync Magazine for their Women of Distinction Award. Candy has also been awarded the Summer 2013 Hall of Fame for the Women’s Jewelry Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
Candy Udell served as a board member for the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. She has been honored by the Glen Cove Animal Lovers League, Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Bideawee and received the Rescue Dog of the Year Award for Corporate Excellence. Candy has supported causes such as the Israeli Defense Forces, The Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, The Don Monti Foundation, American Heart Association, The Lustgarten Foundation, Katz Women’s Hospital, Hadassah, North Shore Animal League and The Glen Cove Animal Lovers League.
Candy and Mark Udell were selected as Honorees for Congregation Tifereth Israel 100th Anniversary. They were also the honorees of the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center Friendship Circle Luncheon for their dedicated efforts to better their community and their support of the Jewish Community Center.
In 2010, Candy was instrumental in the formation of Rescue Paw Foundation, a 501( c) 3 charity, whose mission is to fund the building of no-kill shelters providing rescue, spay and neuter services. Candy designed the Paw Jewelry Collection and designated the proceeds to Rescue Paw Foundation, which has rescued and found homes for almost 3,000 dogs over the years.
With all of their success, Candy and Mark always acknowledge the family founders for teaching them that family comes first . . . and that customers are members of the extended London Jewelers family. This enduring concept has resulted in Candy’s children, Randi and Scott becoming the fourth generation to continue the philosophy established by grandfather Charles in 1926.
Most importantly, Candy is proud grandmother of Sienna London and Blake Harper.