San Diego Metropolitan - 40 Under 40

When she was just 29, Cathyrn Ramirez’s hard work paid off. She became the youngest person to be promoted to director by Tiffany & Co. only six years after she was hired.

Now 35, Ramirez has more than 14 years of experience in the fine jewelry industry. She graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a business degree in marketing, and attended the Gemological Institute of America, where she received a degree as a graduate gemologist. Before joining Tiffany in 1988, Ramirez worked as an assistant in a family jewelry business in her Huntsville, Texas, hometown.

She joined the San Diego Tiffany store, now in Fashion Valley, in 1992 and was named director in 1995. She oversees a staff of 45, and takes on a number of responsibilities, including special events, communication with Tiffany’s corporate office, community relations, new product promotions, nonprofit partnerships and in-store marketing events.

Ramirez has appeared on more than 50 television news segments for both in-studio and field interviews, and she has been featured in every major San Diego publication. She has received Tiffany & Co.’s Global Achievement Award each year for the past five years.

She is a member of the San Diego Junior League and serves on the steering committee of the La Jolla Playhouse’s Center-stage Club. In 2000 she received a Tribute to Women and Industry award. Of her Forty Under 40 recognition she says, “It’s very exciting, and it’s a wonderful group of people to be included in.”