Azad Oommen is a prominent figure in the education sector, best known for his role as a co-founder of Global School Leaders (GSL). This non-profit organization focuses on developing effective school leadership to improve the learning outcomes of students from marginalized communities around the world. In addition to his work with GSL, Oommen boasts a wide range of experience in the field of leadership development and philanthropy.
Before establishing GSL, Oommen served as the founding Executive Director of the Central Square Foundation (CSF), an Indian venture philanthropy fund. CSF is dedicated to investing in organizations that aim to enhance the quality of student learning across India. His commitment to education reform and leadership development has led to significant contributions in the lives of countless students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Notably, Azad Oommen has also garnered recognition as the husband of talented American actress Poorna Jagannathan. While her thriving acting career has put her in the spotlight, Oommen continues to focus on making a difference in the world of education—transforming the lives of students, educators, and communities alike.
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About Azad Oommen
Azad Oommen is a co-founder of the non-profit organization, Global School Leaders. This organization focuses on developing effective school leadership to improve learning outcomes for students from marginalized communities all over the world. With a clear dedication to education and social impact, Azad has worked to enhance the quality of education in under-resourced schools across low- and middle-income countries.
Before embarking on his journey with Global School Leaders, Azad served as the founding Executive Director of the Central Square Foundation (CSF). CSF is an Indian venture philanthropy fund that invests in organizations striving to improve the quality of student learning. His work in this capacity further demonstrates his commitment to supporting educational initiatives that target marginalized student populations.
In addition to his professional achievements, Azad Oommen is also known for his personal life as the husband of talented American actress, Poorna Jagannathan. She is widely recognized for her significant role as Nalini Vishwakumar in the Netflix series, Never Have I Ever, created by Mindy Kaling.
Together, Azad and Poorna exemplify a strong partnership, having been married since 2003. They share a son named Anav Oommen, and their marriage has spanned over two decades, showcasing a balanced and supportive relationship.
Azad Oommen’s experience in the world of education and philanthropy, coupled with his strong personal relationships, paints a vivid picture of a dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate individual. His ongoing efforts to improve educational opportunities for marginalized students clearly embody his commitment and passion for his work.
Career Beginning
Azad Oommen began his career after completing his education at prestigious institutions. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and later pursued further studies at Princeton University. His strong educational background played a crucial role in shaping his career and his commitment to improving the quality of education.
After completing his studies, Azad focused on the education sector, working to improve learning experiences for students. His dedication to the cause led him to become the founding Executive Director of the Central Square Foundation (CSF). As an Indian venture philanthropy fund, CSF invests in organizations that strive to enhance student learning outcomes.
During his time at CSF, Azad was instrumental in driving the foundation’s mission of promoting quality education for all students. It was this passion for education that eventually led him to co-found Global School Leaders (GSL). With a focus on developing effective school leadership, GSL aims to improve the learning of students from marginalized communities around the world.
Azad’s career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a keen understanding of the importance of skilled leadership in the education sector. His work at both CSF and GSL has solidified his position as an advocate for high-quality education and a driving force in improving global learning standards.
Global School Leaders
Azad Oommen is a co-founder of Global School Leaders (GSL), an international non-profit organization that focuses on developing effective school leadership to improve the learning outcomes of students from marginalized communities around the world. By mobilizing key stakeholders such as funders, governments, and NGOs, GSL aims to invest and participate in school leadership training programs in low and middle-income countries.
GSL currently collaborates with partners in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, India, Kenya, and other countries to implement impactful school leader development programs. These partnerships enable GSL to work towards improving the quality of student learning across diverse education systems. With a wealth of experience in the field of leadership development, Azad Oommen has played a significant role in shaping GSL’s vision and approach.
Prior to co-founding GSL, Azad was the founding Executive Director of the Central Square Foundation (CSF), an Indian venture philanthropy fund that invested in organizations aiming to enhance the quality of student learning. This experience at CSF further strengthened Azad’s dedication to nurturing school leaders and ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education.
In conclusion, Azad Oommen’s work at Global School Leaders showcases his commitment to fostering effective school leadership worldwide and enhancing student learning outcomes, particularly for those from underserved communities.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Azad Oommen has a proven track record of working extensively in collaboration with several organizations, educational institutes, and individuals. One of his most notable collaborations was with Sameer Sampat, with whom he co-founded Global School Leaders (GSL). This organization aims to incubate, connect, and support organizations that train school leaders to improve learning experiences for students from underserved communities around the world.
In an effort to drive education reforms, Azad previously collaborated with the India School Leadership Institute (ISLI) as the founding Executive Director of Central Square Foundation (CSF). The India-based venture philanthropy fund aims to invest in systemic reforms that improve the quality of student learning. Likewise, the ISLI was created to train school leaders to develop and transform schools in low-income communities across India.
Azad’s journey in the education sector includes working with esteemed educational institutes such as Harvard University. While there, he worked at the Education Innovation Laboratory, which focuses on researching and developing solutions to improve the quality of education through both traditional and novel approaches.
Furthermore, Azad has been associated with the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, where he pursued his Master’s degree in Public Policy. His time at the university allowed him to further understand and apply effective education policies, contributing significantly to his expertise in the field.
In addition to education-focused organizations, Azad has gained professional experience working with other impactful entities such as City Year and the Congressional Hunger Center. Through City Year, an education nonprofit that helps to bridge the gap between the available resources and student needs, Azad further expanded his knowledge of education systems and their improvement strategies. Meanwhile, his association with the Congressional Hunger Center allowed him to work on issues like food insecurity and policy advocacy, thus broadening his understanding of social issues and their intersection with education.
Overall, Azad Oommen’s collaborations and partnerships showcase his dedication to improving education and learning experiences for students from marginalized communities. His work with various organizations and educational institutions has solidified his reputation as a knowledgeable expert in the field of education reform and continues to make a substantial impact on the lives of countless students worldwide.
Venture Philanthropy
Azad Oommen is a well-known figure in the field of venture philanthropy, having been a driving force behind the establishment of the Central Square Foundation (CSF). As the founding Executive Director, he played a key role in creating the India-based venture philanthropy fund that sought to invest in organizations with an aim to improve student learning and educational outcomes. This fund was set up with the purpose of promoting systemic reforms to raise the quality of education across the country.
Under his leadership, the Central Square Foundation focused on strategic investments in high-impact programs and organizations. In doing so, the fund aimed to facilitate innovative systemic change in India’s education sector, thereby producing tangible benefits for underprivileged and marginalized students. Through this model of funding, the CSF supported various organizations and educational initiatives, fostering partnerships that helped improve educational services and opportunities for students in need.
Azad’s venture philanthropy journey continued with the formation of Global School Leaders (GSL), an international non-profit organization he co-founded. GSL’s primary objective is to develop effective school leadership to enhance the learning experience of students from marginalized communities around the world. Much like his previous work with CSF, Azad’s focus through GSL is on fostering sustainable and impactful change in the education sector on a global scale.
In conclusion, Azad Oommen’s involvement in venture philanthropy has led to significant advancements in the education sector, both in India and globally. His commitment to the development and support of innovative educational initiatives has positively impacted countless students from marginalized and underprivileged communities, affirming his expertise and dedication to the field.
Work in India
Azad Oommen has had a significant impact on the education sector in India. He served as the founding Executive Director of Central Square Foundation (CSF), an Indian venture philanthropy fund that invests in organizations aiming to improve the quality of student learning. Under his leadership, CSF focused on systemic reforms, demonstrating his commitment to make a substantial difference in the Indian education landscape.
During his time at CSF, Azad supported a range of innovative education initiatives that aimed to address inequality and improve access to high-quality education for students from marginalized communities. These efforts included embracing technology in the classroom, strengthening public-private partnerships in education, and supporting teacher professional development programs.
Later, Azad co-founded Global School Leaders (GSL), a nonprofit with a strong presence in India. GSL aims to develop effective school leadership to improve learning outcomes for students from marginalized communities around the world. In India, the organization works closely with partners to implement school leader development programs, focusing on capacity building for school administrators, enhancing teaching practices, and fostering a positive school culture.
Through Azad’s dedicated service in India, he has contributed to systemic reforms and influenced the country’s education landscape. His work in both CSF and GSL reflect his passion for and commitment to uplifting the quality of education for students from underserved communities.
International Initiatives
Azad Oommen, co-founder of Global School Leaders (GSL), has been influential in expanding educational opportunities for marginalized communities across various countries. GSL currently collaborates with partners in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Malaysia to develop school leader development programs and local educative leadership.
In Brazil, Oommen has been working with partner organizations to bring regional conversations and best practices to the forefront, creating an environment of learning and cross-pollination of ideas. The GSL initiatives in this country aim to enhance educational development and create a strong network of school leaders with a focus on improving students’ learning from marginalized communities.
GSL’s work in Indonesia has been directed at strengthening school leader capacity by implementing development programs that emphasize the importance of effective leadership for enhancing student learning. By focusing on crucial aspects like instructional leadership and community engagement, Oommen and his team work to ensure that schools in Indonesia are prepared to provide high-quality learning experiences for all students.
In Kenya, Oommen’s organization collaborates with local partners to develop leadership capacity among school leaders with the goal of improving student learning outcomes, particularly for students from low-income communities. By providing training and support to school leaders, GSL helps create an environment where educators are empowered to overcome challenges and impact educational development positively.
Malaysia is another country where Oommen’s work is making a difference. Through GSL’s collaboration with partner organizations, they are able to develop and deliver school leadership programs that address the needs of marginalized students. These initiatives equip school leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide a supportive learning environment, ultimately leading to better learning outcomes for all.
