Fatima Rani Yedanapalli was born in India and moved to New York at the age of fourteen, where she completed her high school and college education. In 1991, she made Austin, Texas, her home and began a rewarding career with the City of Austin, serving at both Austin Energy and Austin Water. After years of dedicated public service, she retired in 2018.

While she found her professional career to be fulfilling, her greatest calling has been as a mother. Fatima has two wonderful children. Her younger daughter, Rachel Yedanapalli has ADD, ADHD, an intellectual disability (ID), and is on the autism spectrum. Navigating the challenges of finding resources, services and opportunities for Rachel opened her eyes to the struggles faced by countless families in her community.

Rather than accepting those challenges, Fatima chose to turn them into a purpose. In 2018, she founded Loving Hearts For All with a vision of creating a supportive, inclusive community where individuals with special needs and their families can find hope, resources and opportunities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, strengthening their ability to serve and advocate for those who need it most.

Today, Fatima is honored and excited to serve on the board  of Heartwood Village and help establish a new day enterprise program that empowers individuals with disabilities to learn, grow, build friendships and live fulfilling lives. Her mission is to ensure that every individual is valued, every family feels supported and every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

She believes that when we lead with compassion, determination, and love, we can create a community where everyone belongs. Through Loving Hearts For All, she hopes to leave a legacy of inclusion, dignity, and opportunity for generations to come.