Soraya Deen
Executive Director / Founder- Muslim Women Speakers and Nigerian Women Lead

Soraya Deen is an interfaith leader, conflict transformation specialist, and global advocate for Muslim-Jewish relations. She is the founder of a women-led initiative dedicated to combating antisemitism, strengthening cross-cultural leadership, and building courageous spaces for dialogue across faith communities.

With decades of experience working across the United States, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, Soraya has trained women leaders, faith actors, and civil society stakeholders in reconciliation, narrative transformation, and values-based leadership. Her work centers women as frontline peacebuilders and bridges between communities divided by fear and misinformation.

She is a sought-after speaker and strategist who works with policymakers, grassroots leaders, and faith institutions to foster practical, measurable pathways toward social cohesion and shared security.

As CEO of Nigerian Women Lead, Soraya mobilized thousands of women and community stakeholders to address conflict, violence, and religious freedom violations, strengthening Christian–Muslim dialogue and women-led peacebuilding structures in high-tension environments. She brings that same strategic, scalable model to this work.

Soraya’s leadership combines moral clarity with measurable design. Her vision is a growing network of Arab women leaders who stand publicly against antisemitism and build sustained partnerships that advance shared security and long-term civic trust.

AWARDS and ACHIEVEMENTS-

• Shine A Light – Awardee – a National initiative highlighting modern day antisemitic.
• Co- Founder – President of the Interfaith Solidarity Network of the Greater San Fernando Valley – a community that includes over 1.7 million people.
• The Network, is a collaboration with her Jewish friend Masha Novak. One of the largest interfaith organizations in the San Fernando Valley.
• Los Angeles Impact Maker award – for her leadership in promoting interfaith solidarity.
• 2018, the Parliament of the World’s Religions- Paul Carus award for outstanding contributions to grassroots activism.
• Public Leadership Credentials- Harvard Kennedy School.
• Lawyer critical thinker.
• Motivational speaker- member of the world renowned Les Brown group of Platinum Speakers.
• Trainer/Women’s Partnerships at The Omnia Institute for Contextual Leadership- Chicago

Author of two books-

PEACE MATTERS – 33 Powerful Actions for Raising Peace Conscious Children and SERVE- A call to Muslims

Regular blogger at The Times of Israel.

Developing Hybrid Classrooms in rural Sri Lanka for underprivileged students.