Board of Trustees
Sally Holkar
Founder Trustee
Founder Trustee of The Handloom School and a pioneering figure in India’s handloom revival movement, Sally Holkar has over four decades of experience in revitalising weaving traditions through craft-led development, design innovation, and institution building.
She co-founded REHWA Society in Maheshwar, which has played a transformative role in restoring and strengthening the Maheshwari handloom tradition, and was instrumental in establishing WomenWeave to expand women-led weaving livelihoods across India.
Her work has focused on building sustainable artisan ecosystems, promoting high-quality handloom production, and creating dignified livelihood opportunities for women weavers. Through THS, she continues to shape a long-term vision that integrates traditional knowledge systems with contemporary design, enterprise development, and global market access.
Subhashini Ali
Trustee
Trustee of The Handloom School, former Member of Parliament, and Co-Chairperson of the All India Women’s Council, Subhashini Ali brings extensive experience in public policy, labour rights, and women’s empowerment.
She has worked closely with institutions such as the Central Cottage Industries Emporium and the Uttar Pradesh Handloom Corporation, contributing to policy and institutional support for India’s craft and handloom sectors. Her long-standing engagement with workers’ rights and gender equity informs her work in strengthening artisan welfare systems.
At THS, she contributes strategic insight into governance, equity, and the strengthening of handloom livelihoods at scale.
