Our Leadership

President

Avraham Kadar, M.D., is a pediatrician and National Institutes of Health (NIH)-trained immunologist, and the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BrainPOP, an internet company that includes the award-winning animated online educational platform BrainPOP, and the pioneering dynamic digital marketing and rich media solutions AditAll, LLC and Dynamic Video, LLC.

Avraham Kadar is the husband of Naomi Prawer Kadar. He and Naomi devoted their lives together to the very passions and values upon which The Naomi Foundation is based – family, social justice, love, and community. As the President of the foundation, he, along with the other board members, carries out and considers the vision and goals of the foundation.

Born in Rishon LeZion, Israel, Dr. Kadar has parlayed an enduring and life-long passion for science into two successful careers: first as a scientist and physician and then as a businessman. He began his formal studies in physics at the Hebrew University, followed by medical training at Tel Aviv University. While he is an innovator and entrepreneur in the online world, Dr. Kadar remains a physician and educator at heart. His belief in the centrality of science education provided the initial inspiration for BrainPOP.

Vice President

Maya Kadar Kovalsky is the eldest daughter of Naomi Prawer Kadar. As one of the Vice Presidents on the Board of Directors of the Naomi Foundation, she provides insight into Naomi’s perspective and professional skills, supports the team in critical decision-making, and provides media production expertise.

As a board member at BrainPOP, an award-winning online educational product that engages over 300 million learners worldwide, Maya champions BrainPOP’s mission to empower students to succeed and thrive in the classroom and beyond. Maya serves on the boards of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), American Friends of Tel Aviv University, and The Shefa School.

As the former Chief Culture Officer of BrainPOP, Maya promoted a creative, employee-focused, values-driven environment. She has led teams at BrainPOP ESL, a digital English as a Second Language resource and YiddishPOP, an online Yiddish language learning platform.

Maya received her MFA in film production from Tel Aviv University in Israel and worked for two prominent Israeli film and television companies – JCS Post Production and Spike Communications. She received her BA from Barnard College of Columbia University in Film Studies and Art History and Visual Art.

Maya lives in Florida with her husband and children.

“My mother was so dedicated to teaching; it really was her life’s mission. Thinking about her energy in the classroom motivates me to bring that spirit to all the projects we support through the foundation.”

“The foundation bridges the past and the future. My mother’s spirit and positive energy inspires our work at the foundation. It’s my hope to perpetuate Naomi’s enthusiasm and love of teaching through our grantees.”

Vice President

Nadav Kadar is an entrepreneur. He founded two digital STEM education ventures, PlayMada Games and CanFigureIt. He serves on the board on BrainPOP, an award-winning online animated educational product. As part of the founding team of BrainPOP, Nadav has always played a crucial role in the company, providing insight and background into BrainPOP’s growth and assisting with all operational tasks.

Nadav Kadar is the son of Naomi Prawer Kadar. He worked alongside Naomi while she was creating the blueprint for the BrainPOP ESL product. As one of the Vice Presidents of the Naomi Foundation, Nadav provides vital insight into Naomi’s passions as he shares her love for Jewish history and Judaic studies. Nadav supports the team in each decision and provides legal, financial, and organizational expertise.

Nadav received his BA from Clark University, where his focus was Biology. He continued his studies at Brandeis University, where he completed an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. Nadav received an International Executive MBA through the Kellogg-Recanati program at Tel Aviv University.

Nadav lives in Florida with his wife and children.

“I am inspired by my mother’s love for Yiddish. It was an important part of her family, community, scholarship, and it was at the center of her passion for teaching. We want to continue her legacy by providing opportunities for others to study this beautiful language and culture and connect with their heritage.”

Vice President

Naomi’s youngest daughter, Einat Kadar, is a Vice President on the Board of Directors. Einat started the Naomi Foundation and helped guide it through its early stages, and with her family, she set up its essential framework and continues to shape its vision and future.

Einat is a Resident of Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York. She attended the Sackler School of Medicine New York State/American Program of Tel Aviv University.

Before medical school, Einat worked as a clinical research study assistant at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and attended the Goucher Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program. Einat holds a BA from Brown University where she focused on the study of health in the developing world, particularly reproductive health and women’s empowerment. As part of her studies, Einat traveled to Thailand and South Africa and lived in India for seven months.

Einat lives in New York with her husband and their children.

“My mother’s life was my inspiration and motivation for creating the foundation. I feel way she lived her life, her deep morals, and her passions, are worth sharing with the world.”

“The opportunities in the fields we support seem endless, which can both feel daunting and empowering at the same time.The biggest opportunity, the heart of the whole project, is to enable amazing people who are doing good to have as wide of an impact as possible.”

Advisor to the Board of Directors & Ambassador

Executive Director

Lindsey Bodner leads the Naomi Foundation and advises its multigenerational board of directors on their charitable giving in the fields of education, science and health, and Yiddish. Lindsey works closely with nonprofit organizations in the US and Israel to improve education, encourage and uplift educators and scientists, and confront antisemitism. Lindsey represents the foundation publicly and oversees all aspects of grantmaking.

Lindsey is passionate about education and finding out-of-the-box alternatives to help children reach their potential.

Before coming to the Naomi Foundation in 2011, Lindsey worked at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in the Civil Rights and Education departments, Oxford University Press, and as an international women’s human rights advocate. Lindsey has lived in Spain, Chile, Morocco, Egypt, and Israel and has traveled extensively for work and pleasure. Lindsey served as Executive Articles Editor at CUNY Law, where she received her J.D.

Lindsey lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and their four children.

“More than business and government, philanthropy has the potential to be a dramatic force for needed change in the world. I am honored to work with the Naomi Foundation and our amazing grantees to create and support high quality, life-changing programs.”