Education systems around the world thrive when they have strong leadership at their core. One of the visionaries shaping that change is Azad Oommen — a social entrepreneur, educator, and co‑founder of Global School Leaders — whose work focuses on transforming school leadership to improve learning outcomes for marginalized communities worldwide.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into who Azad Oommen is, his background, career journey, impact on global education, personal life, and the principles that make him a trusted figure in the field of educational leadership.
Who Is Azad Oommen?
Azad Oommen is a globally recognized social entrepreneur best known as the co‑founder of Global School Leaders (GSL) — a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and developing school leaders who can transform learning outcomes for students in underserved communities.
He has played a prominent role in shaping educational leadership models and has been credited with innovative approaches that go beyond traditional training to build sustainable school systems that uplift communities.
Early Life and Education
Birthplace & Background
While detailed information about his early childhood and exact birth details remain private, it is known that Azad Oommen was born in India and later moved to the United States for higher education and professional growth.
Growing up with a foundation rooted in global perspectives, Oommen’s educational journey would later become instrumental in shaping his vision for equitable education.
Academic Journey
Azad’s strong academic background includes:
- Bachelor’s degree in International Economics from Georgetown University
- Master’s degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs
These international credentials helped Azad build a global mindset, blending policy analysis, economic understanding, and leadership expertise — all critical skills for leading large‑scale social impact initiatives.
Professional Career & Contributions
Azad Oommen has dedicated his professional life to strengthening educational ecosystems, especially where inequity is most prevalent.
Global School Leaders
Global School Leaders (GSL) is the flagship organization co‑founded by Azad Oommen. The nonprofit works with partners worldwide — including in India, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, and Malaysia — to provide high‑quality school leadership training.
Why leadership matters
Research shows that school principals and leaders deeply influence teacher quality, school culture, and student achievement — making leadership development a key lever for systemic education reform.
Photo idea: *Principal leading a leadership training workshop (alt text: “School leadership training session with Azad Oommen”)
Central Square Foundation (CSF)
Before GSL, Azad served as the founding Executive Director of the Central Square Foundation in India — a venture‑style philanthropy fund that invests in scalable solutions for education quality.
At CSF, he helped support reforms that focus on foundational learning, a crucial stage of formal education that determines long‑term academic success.
Leadership Development Experience
Oommen’s work also includes directing prestigious leadership programs like:
- Clinton Fellowship for Service in India
- Clinton Democracy Fellowship for City Year – South Africa
- Mickey Leland Hunger Fellows Program for the Congressional Hunger Center in the U.S.
This global experience demonstrates his ability to design fellowship and training models that work across cultural and systemic contexts.
Personal Life & Family
While Azad’s professional life revolves around education and social impact, he also maintains a grounded personal life.
He is married to actress Poorna Jagannathan — known for notable roles such as Nalini Vishwakumar in Netflix’s Never Have I Ever and Safar Khan in HBO’s The Night Of.
Though details about their private family life are limited, it is known they have been together for over two decades and share a son — balancing public influence with a private, grounded family life.
Impact on Global Education
Reframing Leadership in Schools
Azad’s work positions school leaders not just as administrators, but as drivers of community resilience, learning innovation, and systemic equity.
Key impact areas include:
- Professionalizing school leadership in emerging economies
- Strengthening local partnerships and capacity building
- Supporting sustainable reforms that don’t depend on external aid
Relevance in Today’s Education Landscape
With ongoing challenges like learning loss, inequity, and leader burnout, Azad’s emphasis on evidence‑based, people‑centered leadership offers a model for sustainable change across diverse contexts.
Azad Oommen’s Approach to Leadership
Principles at Work
Azad’s leadership philosophy can be distilled into several core themes:
| Principle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Empathy | Leadership rooted in understanding local contexts and needs |
| Evidence | Data‑driven decision‑making and accountability |
| Sustainability | Building solutions that are owned by communities |
| Collaboration | Working across sectors to solve complex challenges |
By focusing on these principles, his work transcends traditional nonprofit roles and reimagines how leaders are nurtured across the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Azad Oommen?
Answer:
Azad Oommen is a social entrepreneur and co‑founder of Global School Leaders, where he works to develop effective school leadership in underserved communities globally.
What organizations has Azad Oommen led?
Answer:
Azad co‑founded Global School Leaders and served as the founding Executive Director of Central Square Foundation (CSF) — both focused on improving school leadership and education quality.
What is Azad Oommen known for internationally
Answer:
He’s known for his work in education reform, leadership development, and systems‑level change — with programs and partnerships spanning countries such as India, Brazil, Kenya, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Does Azad Oommen have published work?
Answer:
Yes — he has authored opinion pieces and insights in global development forums and platforms like Devex, focusing on strengthening school leadership and systemic reform strategies.
Is Azad Oommen married to a celebrity?
Answer:
Yes, he is married to Indian‑American actress Poorna Jagannathan, known for roles in Netflix’s Never Have I Ever and HBO’s The Night Of.
Conclusion
Azad Oommen stands out as a leader who blends deep expertise with empathetic leadership, transforming how school systems develop their most important asset — human capital. His work demonstrates that when leaders are equipped with the right tools, resources, and perspectives, they can unlock greater equity and learning outcomes for students around the world.
If you’re passionate about education leadership, explore ways to support school leadership development — whether through research, partnership, or advocacy. Share this article with educators, policymakers, and reform advocates who want to make a lasting impact in education.
