Meet the Team

Jonali Saikia Khasnabish

Founder and Creative Director

Jonali Saikia founded Heeya in 2012 with the vision of bringing the rich handloom heritage of the wider North East India closer to saree wearers and textile connoisseurs, while creating sustainable economic opportunities for women weavers in rural communities. Over the years, Heeya has worked with hundreds of artisans across diverse tribes and regions, and has played a catalytic role in reviving several rare and endangered craft traditions through thoughtful design innovation and market-led interventions. In 2025, Heeya expanded its focus to position the saree as an every-occasion attire, working with select clusters across India.

An alumna of Gauhati University, IIM Bangalore, and ILSS (Indian Leaders of Social Sector), Jonali brings about 30 years of experience across the corporate, social impact, and development sectors. She also is a Guest Faculty at several institutions and various other academic, corporate and development sector forums.

Jonali is based in Bangalore - traveling extensively across India in pursuit of her work with artisan communities and sector-building initiatives

Kabita Das

Marketing and Strategy Advisor

Kabita Das is a seasoned marketing professional with over four decades of experience based in New Jersey, USA. She has held senior leadership roles across several blue-chip pharmaceutical companies, Her work reflects deep expertise in strategic marketing, cross-functional collaboration, and navigating complex, regulated healthcare environments. .Beyond her corporate career, Kabita has demonstrated strong community leadership as the former President of the Assam Association of North America (AANA), where she played a key role in strengthening cultural connections and fostering engagement within the Assamese diaspora. A passionate advocate of Indian textiles and heritage, Kabita keenly follows fashion and is known for her elegant embrace of sarees and traditional attire, which she proudly showcases at professional, cultural, and social gatherings. Her style reflects a seamless blend of global sensibility and rooted cultural identity. Kabita holds a Master’s degree from North Eastern Hill University and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, USA.