Alpaja Rajbhandari, Board Director

Alpaja Rajbhandari is a Nepalese-born entrepreneur and fashion designer who moved to the USA in 2019. With 20 years of experience in creativity and design, she is the co-founder and creative director of Ekadesma, Nepal’s pioneering sustainable clothing brand dedicated to reviving traditional textiles and crafts while blending them with modern design, uplifting artisan communities, and empowering women.

Since 2015, Alpaja has been championing artisans and makers in Nepal, believing that design is a powerful voice for change—one design can empower and transform an entire community. A lover of vintage, art, and heritage textiles, she integrates storytelling with conscious design, championing sustainability, mentorship, and long-term social impact.

A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, Alpaja has also worked with immigrant and refugee women in the USA, bridging creativity, cultural heritage, and social impact. As an immigrant parent navigating the U.S. education system, she brings firsthand understanding of the challenges families face and believes programs like DreamED are essential for empowering immigrant parents and youth.