Azad Oommen: A Visionary Leader Transforming Education in Marginalized Communities
Azad Oommen is a prominent figure in the world of education and social entrepreneurship, known for his remarkable work in transforming education systems, especially in marginalized communities across the globe. His commitment to improving school leadership, advocating for systemic reforms, and empowering local communities has made him an influential figure in international education development. Through his work with various non-profit organizations and educational initiatives, Oommen has demonstrated his passion for creating lasting, positive change in education.
In this article, we delve into the life, career, and contributions of Azad Oommen, exploring his background, personal life, professional journey, and lasting impact on education and social empowerment.
Early Life and Education
Born with a passion for making a difference, Azad Oommen’s journey into the world of education and social impact began at an early age. Though details about his early childhood are not widely publicized, his educational journey set the foundation for the work he would later do.
Oommen holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Economics from Georgetown University, providing him with a solid grounding in the social sciences, international development, and policy-making. This academic background has played a crucial role in shaping his approach to solving complex problems in global education systems.
Career Beginnings
Before entering the world of education reform, Azad Oommen gained experience in various leadership and community-building roles. His early career focused on leadership development in the civil society space, where he was involved in managing several leadership programs aimed at empowering individuals to bring about social change.
In the early 2000s, Oommen served as a director at the American India Foundation (AIF), where he led a network of fundraising chapters in the U.S. and played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s impact. During his tenure, the organization doubled its budget and generated significant funds for social causes.
Additionally, Oommen contributed to City Year, an organization focused on youth service, and worked on leadership development initiatives in South Africa through the Clinton Democracy Fellowship. This work gave him an early understanding of the power of leadership in creating lasting change, especially within underprivileged communities.
Founding Global School Leaders
One of the most significant milestones in Azad Oommen’s career came when he co-founded Global School Leaders (GSL), a non-profit organization focused on developing effective school leadership to improve student learning in marginalized communities around the world. GSL operates in the Global South, providing leadership training to school leaders and educators, helping them build sustainable, high-performing education systems.
Under Oommen’s leadership, GSL has grown into an impactful organization with programs across Southeast Asia, Africa, and India. The organization works to incubate, research, connect, and support initiatives focused on school leadership, all with the goal of improving educational outcomes for underserved students.
GSL’s unique approach focuses on empowering school leaders who are closest to the challenges faced by students, giving them the tools, training, and support to drive change from within. Oommen’s vision has been a driving force behind the organization’s growth, making a significant difference in education across the Global South.
Leadership at the Central Square Foundation
Before founding GSL, Azad Oommen was the Executive Director of the Central Square Foundation (CSF), a philanthropic organization based in India. CSF focuses on funding and supporting early-stage social enterprises that aim to reform the education system in India. Under his leadership, the foundation worked tirelessly to improve the quality of K-12 education in India by funding innovative education startups and pushing for evidence-based policy reform.
Oommen’s role at CSF involved managing a team of professionals, providing operational support to partner organizations, and advocating for systemic reforms in India’s education system. His work at CSF cemented his reputation as a dedicated leader in the field of education reform.
Impact and Achievements
Azad Oommen’s contributions extend far beyond his direct leadership roles. His ability to build and sustain partnerships has allowed him to work alongside a range of organizations, governments, and social enterprises committed to improving education.
Through his advisory roles and board memberships, including positions at Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation and Centro Lemann in Brazil, Oommen continues to guide and support organizations striving to make an impact in education.
Oommen’s leadership has also been instrumental in the development of the India School Leadership Institute (ISLI), which trains school leaders to create high-quality educational environments. By advising and supporting such organizations, Oommen ensures that his work continues to reach wider audiences and have an enduring impact on education reform worldwide.
Personal Life and Family
Azad Oommen’s personal life reflects the values of commitment and family that are central to his work in education. He has been married to actress and producer Poorna Jagannathan since 2003. Poorna is best known for her roles in the Netflix series Never Have I Ever and HBO’s The Night Of. Together, they form a power couple focused on social change and entertainment, with Poorna also being an advocate for social issues.
The couple has a son named Anav Oommen, and their family has always been supportive of Azad’s work in education and community development.
Though Oommen keeps his personal life relatively private, his family’s support has undoubtedly played a role in his ability to pursue such impactful work on a global scale.
Azad Oommen’s Philosophy and Legacy
Azad Oommen’s career has been defined by a commitment to making education accessible and effective for all, particularly for underserved communities. His leadership philosophy revolves around the idea that effective school leadership is the key to improving educational outcomes and addressing inequities within the education system. He believes that by equipping local school leaders with the right skills, they can drive systemic change and create lasting positive outcomes for students.
Through his work with Global School Leaders, the Central Square Foundation, and other initiatives, Azad Oommen’s legacy will continue to impact generations of students and educators. His work serves as a reminder that leadership, empathy, and a commitment to systemic reform are essential to solving global challenges in education.
Conclusion
Azad Oommen’s work as an education leader, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur has had a profound impact on education systems in the Global South. Through his innovative approach to developing school leadership, Oommen has helped to transform educational outcomes in marginalized communities around the world. His journey, from his early career in civil society to founding Global School Leaders, reflects his dedication to improving education for all, regardless of background.
With his ongoing contributions to education reform and his deep commitment to social change, Azad Oommen’s work will continue to inspire future generations of leaders and changemakers.
