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 Senior Vice President of BrainPOP, Maya’s responsibilities include overseeing BrainPOP ESL, a digital English as a Second Language resource and YiddishPOP, an online Yiddish language learning platform. Before coming to BrainPOP, Maya worked for two prominent Israeli film and television companies – JCS Post Production and Spike Communications.

Maya received her MFA in film production from Tel Aviv University in Israel. She received her BA from Barnard College of Columbia University in Film Studies and Art History and Visual Art.

Maya lives in New Jersey with her husband and children.

<em>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.</em>

<em>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.</em>

Vice President

Nadav Kadar is a Senior Vice President of International Operations at 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 oversees all of BrainPOP’s international teams and products as well as serving in an advisory role as BrainPOP expands and develops.

Nadav is currently pursuing an International Executive MBA through the Kellogg-Recanati program at Tel Aviv University.

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 lives in Tel Aviv and travels frequently.

<em>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.</em>

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 attends 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 Premidcal 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 Tel Aviv.

<em>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.</em>

<em>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.</em>

Advisor to the Board of Directors & Ambassador in Israel

Ilana Kurizki is Advisor to the Board of Directors for the Naomi Foundation and its Ambassador in Israel. She has worked closely with the Foundation’s leadership since its inception, and is committed to increasing the capacity for meaningful, long-term impact. Ilana focuses on strategic planning, branding, organizational development, and evaluating opportunities for growth that align with the Foundation’s mission and core values. She is responsible for strengthening ties with the Foundation’s Israel-based partners and grantees, and supporting and consulting on local initiatives.

Ilana is also the Managing Director of new digital products in development in the Kadar family’s educational technology portfolio, and is Senior Advisor to Avraham Kadar, M.D. In this role, Ilana facilitates a range of business initiatives and evaluates potential investment opportunities.

Ilana received her MBA from Fordham University with a concentration in marketing and designation in entrepreneurship. She graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University with a with a major in English and minor in psychology.

Ilana lives in Tel Aviv with her husband and daughter.

<em>“A core belief of the Naomi Foundation is that a person has the capacity to make a powerful and lasting impact on many others. The most meaningful and transformative investment we can make is in people who are dedicated to this mission. Education is therefore at the core of everything we do. By empowering educators, we hope to create a ripple effect that will continue well into the future, for many lifetimes.”</em>

Executive Director

Lindsey Bodner is the Executive Director of the Naomi Foundation. Lindsey identifies areas for internal and external growth, creates organizational structures, works with grantees to implement foundation initiatives, and provides legal guidance and management advice to the Board of Directors. She is responsible for strategic planning with the Board as well as daily operations of the foundation. Lindsey is honored to work with the Kadar family to build the foundation and carry on Naomi’s legacy.

Before joining the foundation, Lindsey was a Legal Editor at Oxford University Press and worked in the Education and Civil Rights Divisions of the Anti-Defamation League. Lindsey was admitted to the New York Bar after receiving her JD from the City University School of Law, where she served as Executive Articles Editor on law review. She received her BA in Spanish Literature and Global Cultures from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Lindsey has worked and studied in Egypt, Morocco, Chile, and Spain. Inspired by Naomi and the mission of the foundation, Lindsey participated in the Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer Program at Tel Aviv University.

Lindsey lives in Manhattan with her husband.

<em>It’s a true privilege to work so closely with the Kadar family and our amazing grantees. I love finding innovative and meaningful ways to perpetuate Naomi’s life’s work and improve people’s lives. It’s very meaningful to see how our support empowers educators and enlivens students, and I’m continually inspired and surprised by the power and beauty of the Yiddish language.</em>