Meet Our Team
The TAFT Foundation is steered by a team of dedicated and experienced professionals who are deeply passionate about advancing educational equity. Our team brings together a wealth of experience in the education sector, and is committed to empowering students and transforming communities.
Dr. Tawheedah Abdullah, CEO
With a career that began as a middle school teacher and later transitioned into an assistant principal role, Dr. Abdullah 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. Her commitment to educational equity and her strategic vision drive the TAFT Foundation’s mission forward.
Dr. Yajuan Ding, Founder and CFO/Secretary
Dr. Ding’s nearly 30 years of experience in the education sector have equipped her with a deep understanding of the needs of students and educators alike. Her roles have ranged from a middle school English teacher to a university librarian, an adjunct English lecturer, and a teacher and advocate for gifted and talented education. Dr. Ding’s diverse experiences, coupled with her academic achievements, including an M.A. in Educational Administration, a Graduate Certificate in English, a Ph.D. in Humanities, and a Johns Hopkins University SOE’s Graduate Certificate in Gifted Education, make her a driving force in the TAFT Foundation’s pursuit of educational equity.
