Patchwork quilt.
Meet Nest's Founder and Executive Director, Rebecca van Bergen.

Meet Rebecca

Growing up with a great-grandmother and grandmother who were quilters and sewers, Rebecca van Bergen, Nest’s Founder and Executive Director, was drawn to craftsmanship as a means of self-expression and opportunity. Following her passion to turn craft, a primary source of employment for women globally, into a means to correct the gender and economic imbalance in our world, Rebecca founded Nest in 2006.

Rebecca van Bergen working with makers at a crafting session.
Rebecca van Bergen speaking at a Nest crafting event.

Leading the Way

Nest provides women, and other marginalized groups, with the training, resources, and opportunities they need to develop, grow, and sustain a craft-based livelihood. More than 18 years later, Rebecca’s leadership, determination, and enthusiasm continue to propel Nest forward.

Rebecca is a PBS Changemaker, CNN Young Person Who Rocks, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Ashoka Fellow, Levi Strauss & Co. Collaboratory Fellow, Draper Richards Kaplan Fellow, Cordes Fellow, GLG Social Impact Fellow, Elevate Prize Winner, and was named one InStyle Magazine’s 50 Women Making the World a Better Place.

Get Involved

Feeling inspired? There are many ways to use your resources and experience to join Rebecca and the Nest team in our mission to change the world through handcraft.