Meet Our Leadership

  • Edward J. Lazzerini, President

    Dr. Edward J. Lazzarini is a retired Academic Specialist at Indiana University, where he contributed extensively to Volga-Ural, Siberian, and Crimean studies. He served as Academic Specialist in the Central Eurasian Studies Department, Adjunct Professor in the Department of History, and was affiliated with the Russian and East European Institute, the East Asian Studies Center, and the Islamic Studies Program. He also directed the Sinor Research Institute for Inner Asian Studies and the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center, and coordinated the Volga-Kama Initiative, supporting scholarship and resources on Central Eurasian and Uralic cultures.

  • Gulshat Safiullina, Secretary

    Dr. Gulshat Safiullina, a native Kazan Tatar, is a linguist and educator dedicated to preserving and promoting the Tatar language and culture. She holds a PhD in Comparative Linguistics and multiple degrees in language teaching and Tatar studies. She is the author of the English-Tatar Dictionary for Learners and co-author of a Tatar-English/English-Tatar dictionary published by the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan. She has taught Russian and Tatar language courses at Indiana University since 2016, and she served as Tatar Language Manager for the Oxford Global Languages Program (2017–2020).

  • Amber Kennedy Kent, Treasurer

    Amber Kennedy Kent is a language educator and pedagogy specialist with expertise in second language acquisition and instructional design. She is the Assistant Director of Language Education and Pedagogy for CeLCAR at Indiana University, where she oversees the design and development of language learning materials for less commonly taught languages from the Central Asian region. She is also the host of the educational podcast On the Silkroad with CeLCAR and is co-author of Designing Effective Language Learning Materials for Less Commonly Taught Languages, Tibetan: An Elementary Textbook, and Turkmen: An Elementary Textbook.

Governance & Transparency

CHAKCHAK: Languages and Cultures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Indiana and committed to responsible governance, transparency, and the careful stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for its overall policy and direction and oversees its financial affairs. The Board meets regularly throughout the year and may delegate responsibility for day-to-day operations to volunteers, staff, and committees. Through these governance practices, we strive to remain accountable to our donors, partners, program participants, and the communities we serve. View IRS Determination Letter (PDF)

Governance Documents

CHAKCHAK’s governing documents and organizational policies establish the framework for responsible leadership, decision-making, financial stewardship, and accountability.

Articles of Incorporation

CHAKCHAK’s Articles of Incorporation set forth its organizational purposes, governance structure, limitations on activities, and provisions governing dissolution. View Articles of Incorporation (PDF)

Bylaws

CHAKCHAK’s Bylaws establish the structure and responsibilities of the Board of Directors and officers and govern Board meetings, elections, committees, financial administration, amendments, and other organizational matters. View Bylaws (PDF)

Conflict of Interest Policy

CHAKCHAK’s Conflict of Interest Policy establishes procedures for identifying, disclosing, and addressing actual or potential conflicts of interest. View Conflict of Interest Policy (PDF)

Financial Transparency

CHAKCHAK is committed to the responsible stewardship of the financial resources entrusted to the Foundation. As part of our commitment to transparency, required tax filings and other financial information will be made available here as appropriate.

Questions?

Please contact us for questions about CHAKCHAK’s governance, nonprofit status, or organizational documents.