Board and Staff
The TAFT Foundation is steered by a team of dedicated and experienced professionals who are deeply passionate about advancing educational equity. Our board and team bring together a wealth of experience in the education sector, and are committed to empowering high-potential students and advancing U.S. teacher diversity.
Founder & Current Leadership
LEADERSHIP & OFFICERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr.
Founding Board Director
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FOUNDING LEADERSHIP
Dr. Tawheedah Abdullah (Inaugural CEO, May 15, 2025-December 9, 2025)
Dr. Tawheedah Abdullah, Inaugural CEO
As our Inaugural CEO, Dr. Tawheedah Abdullah played a pivotal role by supporting the design of the TAFT Program, encouraging Dr. Yajuan Ding to move from concept to action, and helping establish the vision and early direction of the TAFT Foundation. We remain grateful for her early support.
With a career that began as a middle school teacher and later transitioned into an assistant principal role, she has firsthand insights into the challenges and opportunities within the educational landscape. Her tenure as the Director of the Stanford University School Leaders Program saw her developing leadership initiatives for school leaders, further honing her expertise in educational leadership. It was Dr. Abdullah’s commitment to educational equity that served as a key encouragement for the founding of the TAFT project.
TAFT Foundation Regular Board Meeting Calendar 2026–2027
| U.S. Eastern Time | Beijing Time |
| Wednesday October 14, 2026 — 8:00 PM EDT | Thursday October 15, 2026 — 8:00 AM |
| Wednesday December 9, 2026 — 8:00 PM EST | Thursday December 10, 2026 — 9:00 AM |
| Wednesday, February 3, 2027 — 8:00 PM EST | Thursday, February 4, 2027 — 9:00 AM |
| Wednesday March 24, 2027 — 8:00 PM EDT | Thursday March 25, 2027 — 8:00 AM |
| Wednesday May 12, 2027 — 8:00 PM EDT | Thursday May 13, 2027 — 8:00 AM |
| Wednesday July 7, 2027 — 8:00 PM EDT | Thursday July 8, 2027 — 8:00 AM |
| Wednesday September 1, 2027 — 8:00 PM EDT | Thursday September 2, 2027 — 8:00 AM |
| Wednesday October 13, 2027 — 8:00 PM EDT | Thursday October 14, 2027 — 8:00 AM |
| Wednesday December 8, 2027 — 8:00 PM EST | Thursday December 9, 2027 — 9:00 AM |
All meetings are scheduled for 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time. Beijing dates fall on the following calendar day. Times automatically reflect U.S. Daylight Saving Time changes.
Directors will receive calendar invitations and meeting materials in advance. Any necessary schedule adjustment will be communicated by the Chair or Secretary.
TAFT Foundation Corp.
Empowering High-Potential Students. Advancing U.S. Teacher Diversity.
© 2026 TAFT FOUNDATION CORP. TAFT Foundation is the public-facing name of TAFT FOUNDATION CORP, a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity.