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Our Mission

To provide students from all backgrounds with a rigorous curriculum, supportive learning environment, daily instruction in Modern Hebrew, and a focus on global citizenship

Join our Zoom info session on Monday, September 9, at 12 PM

Click here to RSVP

Olam Stamford Welcomes Founding Head of School - Lisa Strom

Learn More

OLAM Stamford Press Release

Click here to read

OLAM Public Charter School is coming to Stamford!

Modeled after Hebrew Public schools in Brooklyn and Staten Island, OLAM Stamford will offer rigorous instruction in English, math, Modern Hebrew, science, art and music, social studies, and sports.

Watch the OLAM Stamford Info Session

OLAM Stamford at a glance

Initially serving 112 students in

PK-1

Grow to include grades

PK-8

Ultimately students served

336

Planned opening in September

2027

The school will be located in its own private facility

Hebrew Public's Network Leadership

Jon Rosenberg

Chief Executive Officer/President

Emily Fernandez

Chief Program Officer

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Valerie Khaytina

Chief External Officer

Meet our Board of Directors

Hugh Murphy

Chair

Meet Hugh

Fritz G. Chery

Vice Chair

Meet Fritz

Akash Sadhu

Treasurer

Meet Akash

Lori Ferguson

Secretary

Meet Lori

Gila Ogle

Director

Meet Gila

We are in the process of forming the Board for OLAM Stamford.  If you know anyone who might make a terrific founding Board Member, please contact us!

Olam Stamford Board Meetings

Board Meetings Public Notice

All meetings of the Olam Public Charter School Board of Directors are open to the public. Board meetings will be held virtually via Zoom.

Meeting dates and times are listed on this page. Zoom access information will be provided for each meeting so that members of the public may attend electronically.

Meeting agendas and other publicly available materials will be posted in the Board Meeting Materials section below in accordance with Connecticut public meeting requirements. 

September 10 at 4 pm

July 15th, 2026 at 12 pm

Join us for

Join the board meeting

September 10 at 4 pm

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89267924350?pwd=Gw6bEn9hwHxh8QIjDGDsA99c62NfZ2.1

Meeting ID: 892 6792 4350
Passcode: V5kab2

Board Documents

Whistleblower Policy
Code of Ethics
Conflict of Interest Policy
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Hugh Murphy

Hugh Murphy is a finance and public administration executive with more than 40 years of experience in school finance, budgeting, and operations management. He previously served as Executive Director of Finance for Stamford Public Schools, overseeing financial planning, budgeting, grants, and operational services, and currently teaches accounting as an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut. Throughout his career, Hugh has managed large public education budgets, led major cost-saving initiatives, and supported strategic planning for school districts across Connecticut. He holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Providence College.

Fritz G. Chery

Fritz G. Chery is a lifelong Stamford resident who has built his life, work, and service here. He’s not just a candidate, he’s a neighbor, a small business owner, and a parent who understands firsthand what families in this city face every day.

After earning his degree in Political Science from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from the University of Bridgeport, Fritz built a career in commercial real estate for more than 15 years. He later co-founded Grace Daycare & Learning Center, working directly with families and children while providing affordable, high-quality care. These experiences gave him a deep understanding of both the challenges and the opportunities that shape daily life in Stamford.

In 2020, Fritz was appointed to the Stamford Board of Education, where he quickly became a strong advocate for students, parents, and teachers. He pushed for action on pressing issues like school building repairs, mold remediation, and HVAC upgrades, and worked to ensure every student had access to a safe, supportive environment for learning. 

But Fritz’s leadership has never been limited to elected office. He has organized citywide job fairs to connect residents with work opportunities, led a tablet and laptop drive to make sure students could keep learning at home, and hosted seven public town halls to give neighbors a chance to speak directly and be heard. His board service with nonprofits like Future 5, Project Music, and Laurel House reflects his commitment to helping young people find mentors, opening doors to the arts, and supporting mental health across the community.

Akash Sadhu

Akash Sadhu is a technology and portfolio management leader with more than 25 years of experience delivering complex technology, risk, and regulatory compliance solutions for global financial institutions. He currently serves as a Director at UBS, leading trade surveillance technology initiatives, and has previously held leadership roles at NatWest Markets, GE Capital, and Investec Bank. Akash also serves as a technology volunteer with his local school PTO, supporting digital operations and community engagement. He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in computer science and additional certifications in data science, machine learning, analytics, and leadership.

Lori Ferguson

Lori Ferguson is Senior Vice President of Product and Customer Operations at NCQA, where she leads product strategy, implementation, and customer operations. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in Medicaid and Medicare managed care, she has held executive roles at VNS Health and Magellan Health. Lori holds a master’s degree in Applied/Organizational Psychology from Christopher Newport University, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Radford University, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Gila Ogle

Gila Ogle is an experienced educator and school leader with a track record of founding, strengthening, and leading schools focused on equity and academic excellence. She currently serves as Head of School at The Silver Academy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and previously held leadership roles at Amber Charter Middle School in New York City and the SEED School of Miami. Gila holds graduate degrees from Columbia University and Queens College and a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University.

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