Two Outstanding Graduates Win the 2026 Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
Since graduating from the Wilson College of Textiles, Kiana Bonollo ’21 and Zain Khan ’10, ’16 have distinguished themselves through creative innovation, industry leadership and a shared commitment to giving back.
Equipped with a hands-on education and the confidence to try, test and create, graduates of the Wilson College of Textiles continue to turn their passions into meaningful careers across the textile industry.
Kiana Bonollo ’21 and Zain Khan ’10, ’16 took very different paths after NC State. Bonollo built a career around fashion design and teaching, while Khan rose through the ranks of the textile industry, each drawing from the foundation they gained as students.
In recognition of their professional achievements, community involvement and alignment with the college’s core values, Bonollo and Khan were named recipients of the Wilson College of Textiles’ 2026 Distinguished Young Alumni Awards.
Established by the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council (DYALC), the Distinguished Young Alumni Awards program honors graduates under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the textile industry and their communities. The DYALC works to promote the Wilson College of Textiles and the college’s fundraising arm, the North Carolina Textile Foundation, and foster engagement among young alumni.
“The committee was excited to recognize graduates whose careers show just how many directions a Wilson College education can lead,” says Jordyn Scheitler, a member of the DYALC awards committee. “Their accomplishments highlight the value of learning by doing and turning hands-on experience into real-world impact.”
Meet the recipients of the 2026 Wilson College of Textiles Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
Zain Khan ’10, ’16
B.S. Textile Technology, Supply Chain Management concentration (2010) and Master of Textiles (2016)
After graduating, Zain Khan built a career across multiple sectors of the textile industry, learning the business from the ground up. He now serves as vice president of commercial at Everra, formerly Stein Fibers, where he helps guide the company’s commercial strategy and growth. Over more than a decade at the company, Khan moved from account management to executive leadership, contributing to Everra’s expansion as a sustainability-focused fiber manufacturer. He earned a degree in textile technology and later returned to NC State to complete a Master of Textiles degree. Alongside his professional work, Khan has remained actively involved with students and alumni, including establishing the Khan Family Scholarship with his wife, Sarah.
Kiana Bonollo ’21
B.S. Fashion and Textile Design, Fashion Design concentration (2021)
Kiana Bonollo turned her love of fashion design into a career built around creating, teaching and sharing her work with a worldwide audience. As a student, she spent much of her time in the design studio, developing collections, participating in industry showcases, and learning to receive feedback through critiques and presentations. After graduation, Bonollo began sharing sewing tutorials online, building a following by teaching techniques in a clear and approachable way. Today, she reaches millions of viewers across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, where her instructional videos and digital sewing patterns have made her a go-to resource for makers worldwide. She remains closely connected to NC State, often working with current students and crediting her education as the foundation for her creative career.
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