Adam Soltani is a University of Oklahoma graduate with a Master’s degree in Human Relations with a certificate in Organizational Diversity and Development. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in the field of Sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has served the Muslim community in various capacities as a professional, including promoting and managing American Muslim artists for a London-based record label Meem Music, serving as an assistant director for outreach at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, coordinating youth development programs at the Islamic Society of Edmond, and being one of the founding members of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Soltani was chair of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches’ Religions United Committee for a decade (2012 – 2022). He is a former member of the Oklahoma Democratic Party Religious Education Committee, a former board member of the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma, a former member of the planning committee for OKC’s Jewish-Muslim Film Institute, and a former member of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City Executive Committee.
Adam’s written commentary is regularly featured in the Oklahoma Gazette, Tulsa World, and Oklahoman, and he has been interviewed by local, national, and international broadcast media. He is a regular public speaker at Oklahoma universities and college campuses on topics ranging from the basics of Islam to specialized issues such as demystifying Jihad.
Adam Soltani is a recipient of the 2014 Oklahoma Human Rights Award presented by the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance, the 2015 Interfaith Leadership Award presented by the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, and the 2015 Civil Libertarian of the Year Award presented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma.
In 2016, Adam Soltani completed the Nonprofit Management Certification course from the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. In April, the YWCA of Oklahoma City recognized him as a ‘Leading Social Justice Advocate.’
Adam Soltani also serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Islamic Studies at Oklahoma State University, teaching courses such as Introduction to World Religions, Islam Cultural Perspectives, Religions of the Middle East, and Race, Religion, and Social Justice.
On May 1, 2020, OKC Friday recognized Adam Soltani as one of the 50 Most Powerful Young Professionals in OKC. He was recognized alongside such prestigious names as Steven Adams, Chris Paul, J.D. Baker, James Cooper, Shannon Presti, Abigail Ogle, Bailey Perkins, and JoBeth Hamon.
In April 2021, OKC Friday recognized Adam Soltani for the second year in a row as one of the 50 Most Powerful Young Professionals in OKC.
In June 2021, Adam Soltani was recognized by Oklahoma City Young Professionals as one of The Most Influential Young Professionals in Oklahoma. In the same month, The Journal Record recognized Soltani as One of the Most Admired CEOs in Oklahoma.
In April 2022, Adam Soltani was recognized by OKC Friday for the third year in a row as one of OKC’s Most Powerful Young Professionals alongside influential Oklahomans such as JD Baker, Hames Cooper, Shannon Presti, Abigail Ogle, Darci Lynne Farmer, and many more.
In October 2022, Adam Soltani was presented with The Interfaith Alliance Foundation of Oklahoma Humanitarian Award for his leadership and coordinator of CAIR Oklahoma’s support for Afghan Refugees in Oklahoma. He accepted this recognition on behalf of the CAIR Oklahoma team that dedicated their time and efforts towards helping our Afghan newcomers.
In June 2023, Adam Soltani was named one of the top Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leaders in Oklahoma City by 405 Business Magazine. He was included on this list alongside such prestigious names as Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, the ACLU of Oklahoma’s Policy Director Cindy Nguyen, and Oklahoma City University School of Law Dean Jim Roth.
Prior to joining CAIR Oklahoma as the Executive Director, Adam worked as a social services specialist with the state of Oklahoma Department of Human Services, providing aid to underprivileged families. Adam relocated to Oklahoma from Kansas with his family as a young man, and he currently resides in Oklahoma City with his wife and two sons, Zane and Aaron.