Meet the Board

Sister Tojan Board Member-President

Dr. Tojan Rahhal is a Biomedical Engineer by training and has a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Master of Law in Dispute Resolution. Outside of her research efforts, she demonstrated commitment to service and leadership in the academic community, promoting awareness of issues regarding equality in science. She previously served as the Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives at the College of Engineering in the University of Missouri. She is also the CEO of Engineering World Health, a non-profit that focuses on empowering the biomedical engineering community to improve healthcare delivery across the world. Her work obtained her recent recognition as a "Top 10 to Watch" CEO by United Way of the Greater Triangle for her proven impact and a unique potential to shape the future of the community. Dr. Rahhal’s expertise in strategic planning, cross-cultural training, and programming are vital to her services for Hidaya Academy.

Sister Ghada Board Member-Vice President

Dr. Ghada Adhami completed her Bachelors in Biochemistry from Benedictine University, Lisle IL. She then went on to purse her Doctorate of Dental Sciences from University of Illinois in Chicago. Graduating at the top of her class, she completed an additional year of training at the Jesse Brown VA. Working in a variety of clinics, Dr. Adhami not only gained extensive clinical experiences, but also learned business management, leadership, marketing skills too. Since October 2018, Dr. Adhami owns and operates a successful dental business, All Smiles Family Dentistry. As her two young school aged children grew older, she realized the need to create and Islamic school in the community. She has partnered with many community members to take on the immense task of creating an exceptional Islamic school for the children of Champaign-Urbana.

Sister Afeefa Board Member-Education Director

Afeefa Ismail was born to two teachers in Chicago, IL. As a child, she watched her father work tirelessly to further the value and accessibility of Islamic education in his community. As an adult, she hopes to follow in his footsteps.

Sr. Afeefa earned her undergraduate degree in Human Communication Sciences with Honors and a double master's degree in Speech Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She worked as a school speech therapist before settling down with her family in Champaign, IL. In the past 7 years, she has been an active community member, a teacher, an administrator and a mentor at DEEN Homeschool Co-op and at MAS-UC QI Saturday school.

Sr. Afeefa believes that when a child is grounded in the spiritual, his opportunities to achieve are unlimited. She looks forward to building tomorrow's exceptional leaders–in character and in deed– with her "village"-- the Muslim community of Champaign-Urbana.

Brother Abdullah Board Member-Treasurer

Abdullah Ozkaldi is a finance professional with a solid background in finance and a track record of accomplishments. With extensive experience and rigorous education in the field, Abdullah currently serves as the senior debt management analyst in the University of Illinois System. Previously, Abdullah showcased his financial expertise as an accountant at Henneman Engineering Inc. and as a Bank Examiner at the banking authority of Turkey. However, his passion for making a positive impact led him to explore opportunities in the non-profit sector as well. He dedicated three years as the treasurer and board member of Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana (ISCU), demonstrating his commitment to supporting and uplifting his community. Abdullah currently holds the role of Fiscal Manager and Grant Coordinator at ISCU. In this capacity, he combines his financial acumen with his passion for community development, striving to create a lasting impact through effective financial management.

Abdullah's educational accomplishments include a master's degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

Beyond his professional endeavors, Abdullah is a devoted father who values the importance of providing his children with the best education. He is particularly passionate about ensuring that his kids and other Muslim children receive a holistic education that encompasses academic excellence and Islamic ethics.

Sister Mai Board Member Human Resources Director

Mai Taha is an experienced HR professional and educator with over 10 years of experience in managing HR functions such as talent acquisition, performance management, employee relations, and training. She currently works as a Talent Acquisition Partner at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, where she helps attract, recruit, and retain top talent for the university. Mai holds a masters degree in Business Administration with Human Resources concentration from Drake University, IA. She has served as a school principal at Darul Arqum Islamic Center, IA and currently serve as an educational advisor for MAS Quran Institute-Urbana Champaign.

As a lifelong learner and committed community member, Mai is always looking for ways to contribute to the growth and success of the organizations and people around me. Her passion for education and HR management is matched only by my commitment to her family - she is a proud wife and mother of three wonderful children. When not working, she enjoys spending time with my family, exploring new places, and volunteering for causes close to her heart.

Sister Alaa- Education Commitee Chair

Alaa Barakat is a Master’s student in the department of Education Policy Organization and Leadership - EDM at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She is also a volunteer teacher with DEEN co-op homeschooling since 2019. Alaa received her Bachelors degree in English Language and Literature from Al Balqaa University, Jordan. She worked in Kuwait as a receptionist, translator and interpreter at Cambridge English school. She also worked as a volunteer teacher at MAS - Urbana.

In addition to her work experience in education, Alaa has two daughters where she invests in their education through project-based-learning. Alaa started a YouTube page with her daughter where they create educational content for kids. She also ran summer camps for kids of all ages and conducts private tutoring year-round.

Alaa continuously invests in her educational skills as they not only affect her career, but are pivotal in the raising of her daughters and the children around her. Her experience and education will be paramount to the education committee at Hidaya