Abdi Soltani
SFF Trustee, and Executive Director, ACLU of Northern California
Why do you do what you do?
I started organizing on civil rights issues in the Bay Area when I was a student in the early 90s and full time as an organizer starting in 1995. For 25 years, I have seen the foundation be steadfast and bold in its support of social justice in the Bay Area.
What drew you to serving on the board?
When I was asked to join the board, it only made sense to give back to an organization that has given so much to make the Bay Area the place that it is.
How would you describe your role as a board member?
A community foundation is a place of trust and a place for impact. Similarly, my responsibility as a trustee of the foundation is twofold. First, it is fiduciary, ensuring that its governance, finances and operations meet the high ethical standards deserving of the communities and donors who support the foundation. Second, it is strategic, helping the staff develop the goals and the approaches that will help us achieve our mission of racial and economic equity in this region we call home.
Full Biography
Abdi Soltani is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Northern California. He has dedicated his adult life to social justice and equal treatment for all. His early work as an organizer traced the arc of California from a state that passed some of the most regressive policies in the mid-90’s to a state that is often at the forefront of advancing civil rights. As Executive Director of the ACLU of Northern California since 2009, he has deepened ACLU’s presence in the Central Valley and at the State Capitol to defend and advance the civil liberties of all Californians.
As a student, he helped co-found Youth United for Community Action, and subsequently worked at Californians for Justice, the Campaign for College Opportunity and PARSA Community Foundation. Abdi was recognized as a Gerbode Foundation Fellow and Levi Strauss Foundation Pioneer in Justice Fellow. He writes and speaks extensively about citizenship and the history and promise of the 14th Amendment. He serves as board chair of Immigrants Rising, and on advisory councils of Public Policy Institute of California and Pars Equality Center. Abdi is actively involved in the Iranian-American community and enjoys the streams, beaches and forests of Northern California.