New CFO Appointed For Stamford Public Schools

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Board of Education voted Tuesday evening to appoint Benjamin Chan as chief financial officer of Stamford Public Schools. He will begin working for the district Sept. 8.

"Mr. Chan's commitment to public education and his extensive experience in finance and operations made him stand out as a candidate for this critical role," Superintendent Adrian B. Talley said in a news release.

Subscribe

"He understands the significant financial challenges facing urban school districts and the importance of aligning resources with strategic priorities that support students. I look forward to having his experience and perspective on our leadership team."

Chan will oversee budgeting, finance and procurement for SPS, along with student transportation and food service operations.

He joins the district from Great Oaks Charter School in Bridgeport, where he has served as chief financial officer since 2023. He previously served as chief financial officer of the Great Oaks Foundation from 2019 to 2023. In those roles, Chan provided financial leadership supporting the organization's educational mission and operations.

Before entering the education sector, Chan worked in private-sector finance, strategy and operations. He oversaw the turnaround, growth and eventual sale of a New York-based apparel company and began his corporate career as an engagement manager with the Strategy Consulting Group at Price Waterhouse.

Chan also serves as head of the Finance Committee on the Westport Library Board of Trustees and as vice president of the board at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.

He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Brown University and a master's in finance and strategic planning from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is fluent in Cantonese.

Chan's appointment followed a multi-stage search that attracted qualified candidates from the public and private sectors, SPS said.

Candidates participated in two rounds of interviews with SPS and city leaders before Chan was recommended to the Board of Education for appointment.