About our CEO

Maya Rai — Director of Nepal Knotcraft Centre and a passionate advocate for preserving Nepal’s living heritage through indigenous skills, traditional crafts, and intergenerational knowledge. Growing up in a community of weavers, Maya was inspired by her mother’s artistry and mentored by the legendary Shyam Badan Shrestha, founder of Nepal Knotcraft Centre.

Through them, she discovered that craft is not just creativity — it’s connection, culture, and empowerment. Deeply rooted in the Rai community of eastern Nepal, Maya sees weaving as a powerful force that links women to nature, land, and each other — while offering rare economic opportunity in rural villages. She’s committed to documenting, promoting, and transmitting these skills across generations.

Through her work, Maya weaves stories, traditions, and futures — keeping heritage alive, one thread at a time. A passionate guardian of Nepal’s living heritage, she champions traditional crafts as a bridge between culture, community, and empowerment. Through weaving, she’s preserving stories and creating opportunities for rural women.

Her powerful storytelling and research have been recognized internationally:

Distinction Prize, 2019 Asia-Pacific Youth IHC Storytelling Contest for Woven Together: A Story of Empowerment Through Weaving

Published Research: Tharu Basketry: Cultural and Economic Significance by UNESCO ICHCAP