When Kelsey Lawrence graduated from Seattle University’s Online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Compliance and Risk Management program in 2024, she had already begun transforming the way ethical sourcing and compliance work in the gemstone industry. Today, Kelsey serves as the Inventory Control and Vendor Manager for ANZA Gems, a wholesale organization dedicated to supporting small-scale miners and promoting responsible jewelry practices worldwide. Her journey from capstone project to meaningful professional impact demonstrates how the MLS program equips students to apply legal and compliance knowledge in real-world settings.
Building Knowledge Through a Focused Capstone
Kelsey’s capstone project at Seattle University focused on ethical gemstone sourcing, a topic that not only aligned with her professional interests but also opened doors in the industry. These connections provided her with mentorship, access to field experts, and opportunities to conduct interviews with professionals from global gemstone operations. Among those she spoke with were the head of mining operations at Gemfields, the world’s largest supplier of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
Through these relationships, Kelsey deepened her knowledge of industry practices and also gained insight into the ethical and operational challenges small-scale miners face. “It was really valuable to understand the full supply chain,” she says. “I learned how compliance, ethics, and training can directly impact the livelihoods of miners in places like Tanzania, Kenya, and Brazil.”
Applying MLS Knowledge in Practice
Kelsey’s MLS coursework provided practical tools she could take directly into her career. Whether exploring compliance regulations, risk management frameworks, or industry standards, she found opportunities to apply what she was learning immediately. For instance, she began using her coursework to ask informed legal and operational questions in her role at Ben Bridge Jewelers before joining ANZA Gems. She describes sitting with her boss and the company’s head legal counsel—an alum of Seattle University’s Juris Doctorate program—to discuss how policies could be improved and compliance challenges addressed.
“The MLS program gave me the confidence to ask questions and dive deep into operational challenges,” Kelsey explains. “It’s not just theory—it’s a program that equips you to make tangible changes in your organization.”
Creating Real Impact with Ethical Gemstone Sourcing
At ANZA Gems, Kelsey applies her compliance knowledge to support initiatives that put people first. ANZA is part of Moyo Gems, a coalition of three wholesalers collaborating to work directly with small-scale miners in Africa. The organization prioritizes training, fair compensation, and ethical sourcing practices. Recently, they’ve even launched a gem-cutting school in Tanzania, allowing them to purchase faceted gems locally and ensure more money reaches the miners.
“We started a scholarship fund for the gem-cutting program,” Kelsey shares. “We pay for three students at a time to learn the craft, which helps us support local communities and ensures more sustainable sourcing.” ANZA also partners with skilled gem cutters in the United States and a family-run business in Chiang Mai, Thailand, who hand-cut tiny stones. These efforts reinforce the company’s mission of combining ethical practices with high-quality gemstones, and Kelsey’s role ensures these practices are implemented and maintained consistently.
Mentorship and Industry Connections Matter
Kelsey emphasizes that mentorship played a pivotal role in her success. During her capstone, Sara Yood, President, CEO, and General Counsel, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, guided her through research and provided access to industry experts, while ANZA owner Monica Stephenson offered practical insights and advice. “I could email Monica with questions about the industry or specific practices, and she would guide me down the right path,” Kelsey recalls. “After my capstone, she invited me to join the team, which was the start of my career in ethical gemstone compliance.”
These professional relationships demonstrate the MLS program’s value beyond coursework. Kelsey notes that her experience was shaped by the combination of academic rigor, mentorship, and real-world application, which helped her move confidently from student to professional.
Advice for Prospective MLS Students
Kelsey encourages prospective MLS students to approach the program with curiosity and engagement. “Be willing to ask questions and speak up,” she advises. “The more you participate, the more you get out of it. And don’t let a focus on future degrees, like a JD, be your only reason for joining. Take the program for what it offers, and you’ll gain applicable skills you can use immediately.”
She also highlights the program’s flexibility and supportive structure. Classes are fully online, with some electives available on campus for local students, and students can move through the program at their own pace, taking a full course load or slowing down to focus on one class per term. Scholarships are available to U.S. and international students, making the program accessible to a wide range of learners.
A Program That Translates to Real-World Impact
Kelsey Lawrence’s journey from capstone project to professional achievement illustrates how Seattle University’s Online MLS in Compliance and Risk Management prepares students to make a difference. By combining legal knowledge, compliance skills, and mentorship opportunities, the program enables graduates to tackle complex challenges and create meaningful impact in their industries. For Kelsey, that impact is visible every day in the ethical sourcing, training, and empowerment of gemstone miners around the world.
