About Us

Nikaya is an ancient Buddhist word for ‘community’ and our community is who we support. Started in Cambodia in 2008 by Brandon and Andrea Ross Nikaya is a true labor of love.

Having lived in Southeast Asia for five years the Ross’ wanted to find a way to bring the traditional crafts they so admired to a wider audience while at the same time ensuring the survival of these ancient skills and empowering local artisans.

Taking the community involvement one step further proceeds from Nikaya benefit local based projects with 10% of all profit going to Journeys Within Our Community, a non profit organization working in poverty reduction and education throughout Southeast Asia. Nikaya also features a Giving Back page where 100% of proceeds of all products go to support these community initiatives.

Brandon Ross and Andrea Ross - Owners

The Ross’ moved to Cambodia five years ago and started Journeys Within Tour Company, running custom tours to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Having traveled extensively in the region they set up Journeys Within B&B and Bungalows, a boutique resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia, moments from the Angkor Wat temples. After living in Cambodia a few months they saw the overwhelming need for grass roots community based projects and Journeys Within Our Community was born. Now registered as a 501c, JWOC has many projects throughout Southeast Asia and has become a huge support for the local communities, offering scholorships, language schools, clean water programs and microfinance. Brandon and Andrea have two children, both born in Bangkok, Callie and Couper. The family now splits their time between Cambodia and California, where they have a home in Truckee.

Alexander Adel – Director/Designer

Alexander Adel got his start at the Savannah College of Art and Design and believed in using his artistic talent to find ways to benefit others through art. This got him started working with fair trade artisans as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, working with HIV positive artisans and teen mothers to produce self sustainable income. He continues to make a difference through craft as director of Nikaya. His original designs utilize traditional art and give it a modern flair. He lives in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

April O’Connell-Cole, US Coordinator

April is our resident go-to girl when it comes to new projects. She started with the Journeys Within family as a booking coordinator for the tour company, ensuring all details of the tours went off without a hitch. She soon grew into the position of Tour Consultant, preparing custom tours for travelers. After working with the company and developing a desire to learn more about Southeast Asia, she and her family travelled to Thailand and Cambodia. From the moment she stepped off the plane in Cambodia, April knew that she had found a country that would change her life. The gentle culture and the community’s desire to empower themselves through education and hard work was inspiring. Her experience in Cambodia was the catalyst for April to want to work more on Journeys Within’s community projects, and it seemed Nikaya was the perfect fit. With her attention to detail and eye for style April has joined Nikaya as our US Coordinator. She works out of our Truckee office where she lives with her husband and 2-year-old son.

Nikaya would like to thank Melissa Rosete-Wolfe for her wonderful photography work.