Yilmaz Ak
Chief Executive Officer

Eric Derin
Director of Operations

Vedat Dogan
Director of Finance

Tekin Tuncer
Director of Accountability

Jason Karabulut
Director of Information Technology

Ashish Vadalia
Manager of STEM Programs
Mr. Ashish Vadalia is a career educator with 11 plus years of teaching in both a traditional AACPS high school and a public charter school. He worked as a lead chemistry teacher, Advanced Placement & International Baccalaureate science teacher, and plethora of other stem related courses such as Algebra and Statistics. In addition to being an educator, Mr. Vadalia, was an instructional leader while at Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter school. During his tenure he pushed for increased hands-on labs and activities, increased student-centered lessons, and digital literacy.
Mr. Vadalia has a Bachelors in Chemistry from UMBC and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus on advanced international education from George Mason University. Throughout his career, he coached students for a variety of local and national science competitions including, Science Olympiads, Seaperch, FLL robotics, and AASHTO National Bridge Builder. He has advocated for the importance of extracurricular activities to enhance student learning. Another unique aspect Mr. Vadalia brings to the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation team is his experience working with Anne Arundel County and the State Department of Education on Curriculum and Instruction.
Mr. Vadalia participated in a multitude of meetings and workshops when Maryland was switching to the Next Generation Science Standards. His experience both writing curriculum and assessments has allowed him to provide school teams and additional resources when collaboratively planning for instruction.

Dr. Beverly Donovan
Special Projects Manager
Over the past 25 years in urban education, Dr. Beverly Donovan has remained committed to ensuring that the education of all children is in no way inferior or substandard to those with whom they must compete. She has served in PK-12 public, private and charter school education, administration, leadership, consulting, coaching, and project management capacities and as an adjunct professor.
Dr. Donovan has earned a PhD in Leadership in Educational Administration, a Master of Education in Science Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. She has served as a Science and Math curriculum writer and evaluator and is a passionate advocate for educational equity and STEM education.
Dr. Donovan’s current responsibilities include informing curriculum implementation, organizational learning and culture as well as Charter Renewals and New Charter Applications.
Away from work, she enjoys spending time with her family.