Marc Smiley

Principal

The big room. The tough nut. The difficult conversation. The most vexing problem.

This is what gets Marc up in the morning – usually very early – and drives him through the day: working with leaders of community organizations to make a difference. The bigger the challenge, the better.

For more than 35 years, Marc has served as a guide, a resource, and a partner with hundreds of organizations committed to healthy communities, vital nature, and equitable systems. As a founder of Solid Ground, Marc has cobbled a team designed to empower and embolden leaders
to make their communities better places for everyone.

Marc has often been there at the start of things. He was an initial staff member for the Land Trust Alliance, River Network, and the Yakima Greenway Foundation. Other employment stints include United Way and Oregon Wild (then known as the Oregon Natural Resource Council).
And in 1999, Marc guided the rollout and start-up of what is now Oregon’s fourth largest nonprofit organization, the Energy Trust of Oregon.

As a volunteer, Marc has likewise been there in the beginning of things small (like the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy) and big (like the Land Trust Accreditation Commission). He also has held leadership roles at REACH Community Development and Columbia Land Trust.

Through a consulting career traveling actually (and now virtually) across the entire U.S., Marc has worked extensively with groups focused on conservation, climate and sustainability, historic
preservation, affordable housing, and health and human services. He has published books on board governance, strategic planning, and fundraising, as well as dozens of articles in journals
and periodicals. His workshops are spirited, memorable, and brimming with relevant tools and information. Challenging facilitation is his forte.

College includes a degree from the University of Oregon in Eugene with education spanning the communications arts – from journalism to classical rhetoric. Eugene is also where he found his professional stride and fell in love.

Marc is a native Oregonian whose efforts to migrate elsewhere can’t overcome a homing instinct. Marc’s head is full of music that spans an eclectic mix, and he can find the perfect lyric from an obscure song from the last century if the circumstances warrant it. Sadly, it seldom does. Family is important, and raising two boys with his wife Amy may be his most important role. Sam and Tucker are now men, and a new generation of community service continues what Marc and Amy have been doing throughout their own lives.

Christine Rontal

Senior Organizational Strategist

Christine has more than 25 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen their strategy, leadership, and capacity for lasting impact. Her work spans strategic planning, implementation planning, change management, governance, community engagement, and facilitation, with a particular focus on helping leaders navigate complexity, build trust, and translate big-picture vision into practical action. 

Christine’s career has taken her from community development work in West Africa and Peru to collaborations with Tribal Councils in Alaska and nonprofit leadership and consulting across the U.S. She has worked with organizations advancing conservation, health and human services, arts and culture, community development, and beyond. Christine has also served her community as an executive director, board member, staff member, volunteer, and commissioner. 

Christine holds a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University with a focus on Social Enterprise Administration and a Bachelor of Science from Clemson University in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Based in Portland, Oregon, she draws inspiration from living systems and the natural world. She brings to her work curiosity, warmth, and a deep commitment to relationship-building.

Kaethe Graves

Director of Operations

With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kaethe serves as Director of Operations, bringing extensive experience in organizational management, executive support, project coordination, and operational leadership. Throughout her career, she has been a trusted partner to organizational leaders, helping translate priorities into action, strengthen internal systems, and ensure that the people, processes, and details behind the scenes work together effectively.

Known for her ability to anticipate needs, solve problems, and bring order to complexity, Kaethe combines strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach. She enjoys creating systems that make work easier, supporting teams through change and growth, and helping mission-driven organizations operate effectively so they can focus on the work that matters most.

Outside of work, family is at the center of Kaethe’s life. She is the proud mother of three children and grandmother of five. She treasures the time she spends with her family. She also has a love of adventure and the outdoors and enjoys opportunities to explore, travel, and experience something new.

Whether at work or in her personal life, Kaethe values strong relationships and meaningful work.

Dori Rosenblum

Financial Administrator 

Dori comes with 40 years of experience with financial systems working in non-profit,  for-profit and retail. Previously the business manager for Solid Ground for 18 years, Dori was responsible for payroll, bookkeeping, budgets, cash flow projections, client contracts, subcontractor agreements, human resources, office management, and building operations.  She has transitioned to financial administrator, continuing to oversee financial operations.

Now semi-retired, Dori enjoys traveling, staying fit, reading, and spending time with family.