Adel Syed

Adel Syed holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Service from the University of California, Davis and is currently completing a doctorate in organizational leadership. Adel is a 2011 Fellow of the New Leaders Council, a non-partisan organization that engages a diverse, national network of social justice leaders.  Adel was a Rockwood Leadership Institute Fellow (2013) and a current Rockwood Leadership Institute LEAD Now California Fellow for 2019. Adel also completed the Blue Shield of California Foundation Clinic Leadership Institute Emerging Leaders Program and is on the Board of Directors of the Southside Coalition of Community Health Centers and is also on the Board of Directors of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. He is currently President and CEO of UMMA Community Clinic, the first ever Muslim founded community health center in the United States. UMMA has a full time staff of 65 employees and sees over 25,000 patients visits every year through services in primary care, behavioral health, and an upcoming dental clinic. UMMA also partners with local social service organizations in Los Angeles providing healthcare and other outreach services.

Adel grew up attending the Institute of Knowledge through the end of high school. There he memorized various portions of the Quran, Arabic, Fiqh and Hadith Studies. He has given Khutbah’s at various Islamic Centers in Southern California and Northern California and also volunteered as a Chaplain at Mule Creek State Prison in Northern California. He is a regular Khateeb and also has experience conducting programs related to Islam and Social Justice, Healthcare, public policy, grassroots organizing, and providing workshops on grant development and governance best practices for non-profit organizations.