Our Team

Surekha Kulkarni

Founder & Executive Director

Surekha Kulkarni learned the art of jewelry making while on a trip in India and fell in love, which led to teaching a class for students at Jefferson Community College. While volunteering with Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Surekha encountered several women trying to market their handmade jewelry, and she had an idea. She organized a home party for them to sell their work, and within one hour they had sold over $1,000 worth of jewelry!

Beaded Treasures Project began with this small group of dedicated women. Surekha continued teaching more advanced techniques as well as business skills. It wasn't long before word spread and more women joined the project. Since 2011, Surekha has taught jewelry making to hundreds of resettled refugee women in Louisville, KY through Beaded Treasures' "Skills Training Workshops."

surekha@beadedtreasuresproject.com

Maria Serrano 

Program Assistant 

Maria Serrano is a Sophomore at Bellarmine University, double majoring in Business and Design, Arts, and Technology. Maria started off as a social media intern and instantly fell in love with our project. She has a passion for working with refugee women and hopes to continue helping underserved women, with the tools to overcome economic and social barriers. 

maria@beadedtreasuresproject.com

Annie Nash 

Program Assistant 

Annie Nash is a Senior at the University of Louisville, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Communications. Her favorite hoppy is jewelry making, which sparked her interest in BTP instantly. Working at BTP makes her feel like she’s making a positive difference in our community. Being involved with a nonprofit that supports and empowers women daily is what keeps her passion going.

annie@beadedtreasuresproject.com