Deanna Thompson, Creator and Co-Founder

Deanna Thompson is the creator of Closet Full of Cash, the first blog dedicated to the luxury resale industry which was acquired in 2021 and which she re-acquired back in October 2022. . Deanna’s past work includes her time as Business Development Manager-BDM at Entrupy and Co-Founder of Marque Mentor. 

Throughout her time in the luxury resale industry, her opinions have been published in Fashionista, Reader’s Digest, Her-Age, Southern Jewelry News and Apparel News. She has spoken on authentication and the luxury resale industry to audiences at the National Pawnbrokers Association Pawn Expo Conference and NARTS several years in row. She is also the first person to publish 13 authentication guides on luxury handbags, including Chanel and Louis Vuitton, along with creating e-courses on luxury handbag authentication for 30 brands through her time at Marque Mentor.

Deanna is passionate about the luxury resale industry and is driven by her desire to share what she has learned in the authentication space. She is currently supporting the collaborators here at AIA and continues to publish authentication books available on Amazon). Deanna was also the recipient of the 2022 Industry Partner of the Year award from the National Pawnbroker Association.

Graham Wetzbarger, Co-Founder

Graham Wetzbarger is the Founder and CEO of Luxury Appraisals & Authentication, an expert advisory consulting firm in the designer Resale space. As a member of the Appraisers Association of America, Costume Society of America, and International Trademark Association, integrity, accuracy, and compliance are integral to his work. Over the past 15 years, Graham led the growth in authentication and valuations for The RealReal and Bag Borrow or Steal, positioning himself as one of the world’s leading experts in counterfeit detection. A broad education includes a BFA from Pratt Institute, certification from the Gemological Institute of America, Fashion and IP law at Fordham Law School, and Appraisal Studies from NYU SPS. 

Graham is regularly asked to speak on the state and growth of the Resale sector. He has participated in Wells Fargo’s eCommerce day and held teleconferences for Needham, GLG, AlphaSights, and China Certification and Inspection Group. He has spoken on the Resale industry to audiences at Stern Business School, Southern Methodist University, The Federal Bar Association, The Fashion Law Institute, and SXSW. His opinions have been published in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Business Insider, The Robb Report, and fashion publications: WWD, Business of Fashion, Elle, and Vogue.

Nhu Duong, Director of Business Development

Nhu Duong is a prominent luxury authentication expert with a wealth of experience in pre-owned handbags. Her career began in sales, where she worked extensively with collection handbags, building her knowledge of product and brands. This eventually led to her becoming a senior authentication manager at one of the largest luxury resale platforms, where she was able to hone her skills in auditing, quality control, and brand compliance.

Throughout her career, Nhu has been passionate about research and constantly seeking out opportunities to learn and improve her knowledge. She has played a pivotal role in launching authentication programs for luxury resale platforms across the globe and has consulted on various projects, including appraisals and anti-counterfeiting investigations.

Nhu is driven by her desire to educate others on her expertise and to spread knowledge in the industry. She is committed to continuing her own learning journey and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. As a luxury authentication expert, Nhu is widely respected for her deep knowledge, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy.