Sarah Soell
Sarah Soell is the Executive Director for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma. She has been a member of DSACO since 2006. As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, she has volunteered with the organization in numerous activities, having served on the Festival and 5K Committee, serving as co-chair for two years. Prior to accepting the role as executive director, she was president of the board for DSACO. Before joining DSACO as the new executive director, she worked for the University of Oklahoma as the associate vice president for Public Affairs for 17 years, where she coordinated numerous events and projects, advertising, and various other media related activities. Other past job experiences include working for the University of Houston, The Oklahoma Beef Industry Council and Oklahoma State University. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and her master’s degree in hospitality administration with a specialization in meeting planning. She is involved in various other organizations including serving as a sustaining member of the Junior League of Norman, where she served on the board for two years, and serves as Vice President of the Cleveland County 4-H Foundation. She and her husband, Preston, along with their three children reside in Norman, where they are members of the First Christian Church. Sarah was a member of the 2003 Leadership Norman Class and was selected as Oklahoma Magazine 40 under 40 in April 2008. In 2020, Sarah was a KFOR News Channel 4 Remarkable Women Finalist - https://kfor.com/contests/remarkable-women/remarkable-women-finalist-sarah-soell/
Sarah is a tireless advocate for the Down syndrome community. She advocates daily for the needs of the family and for each self-advocate. She ensures DSACO’s fundraisers, programs and activities all align with the mission to ensure the success of the organization. Under her leadership, DSACO serves more than 1000 families, has increased fundraising efforts by more than 50 percent and has made an impact on the community, elevating DSACO’s status and visibility. Sarah never turns down a hug and will always ensure individuals with Down syndrome are accepted, respected, included and given the opportunity and choice to create their own meaningful pathway to success.
