Khudayja Ward
Meet Our Founder: Khudayja
Khudayja is the heart behind the We Build Foundation, a nonprofit she founded in 2020 to uplift and empower Maryland’s underserved youth. As the Founder, she leads with compassion, vision, and an unwavering belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive — regardless of their zip code or circumstance.
Khudayja’s commitment to service is deeply personal. Raised by a mother who was a tenant rights activist who fought for families to receive the basic services they deserved — heat, hot water, and safe housing, and later served as Chief of the Department of Public Advocate in New Jersey, and a stepfather who was an attorney and law professor, she grew up immersed in a culture of justice, community activism and education. These influences shaped not only her values but her lifelong passion for empowering marginalized communities.
Khudayja holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. A recipient of the Martin Luther King Scholarship, she is passionate about ensuring that today’s youth have access to the same transformative opportunities she received. Her extensive professional experience includes leadership roles at several Fortune 500 companies, such as Deloitte, Merrill Lynch, and Goldman Sachs, where she held senior leadership positions.
Through We Build, Khudayja focuses on nurturing young minds, fostering curiosity, and building the character of tomorrow’s leaders. But her work goes far beyond programming. She spends time one-on-one with young adults experiencing housing instability — helping them build resumes, prepare for job interviews, and believe in their own potential. She’s volunteered at churches and shelters in Brooklyn, NY, and continues to bring that same grassroots energy to her work today.
Khudayja’s passion is matched by her perseverance. Her life is a testament to what’s possible when we invest in people, especially youth. Her favorite books — The Bible, Invisible Man, When the Caged Bird Sings, and The Alchemist — all reflect themes central to her mission: the pursuit of identity, spiritual growth, resilience, and the courage to dream beyond one’s circumstances. These ideals are not just literary; they are the blueprint of her work.
Khudayja also finds joy in sports. A tennis enthusiast, she enjoys both playing the game and watching basketball, soccer, and football — activities that continually reinforce the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. She also enjoys skiing, a pursuit that reflects her belief in pushing beyond fear and embracing new challenges with confidence.
For Khudayja, We Build is far more than a name — it’s a heartfelt promise. A promise to lay strong foundations for lives full of hope, to nurture the leaders of tomorrow with care, conviction, and passion, and to create a future where every young person is empowered, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Because building isn’t just about structures — it’s about building dreams, resilience, and communities that thrive together.
