Tom Soma

A native of Westland, Michigan, Tom graduated from the University of Notre Dame in May, 1979. Three months later, he moved to Portland, Oregon, for a year of volunteer service. He returned to Portland in March, 1981, and has resided there since.

Tom became Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Oregon and Southwest Washington (RMHC Oregon®) in February 1999, remaining in the role for 15 years. Under his leadership, the organization was recognized by Oregon Business as one of the state’s “Top 100 Nonprofits to Work For” each year since the survey began in 2009.

At RMHC Oregon, Tom created the weekly blog, “Musings,” in August, 2011. His first collection of favorite musings, No Small Thing, was released in 2012. His second book, The Secret Ingredient (NewSouth Books, 2014) is available through Barnes and Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-ingredient-tom-soma/1118908309?ean=9781588383099) and Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Secret+Ingredient+by+Tom+Soma). All proceeds benefit RMHC Oregon.

A periodic consultant and former development officer (initially at the University of Portland and later at Lewis & Clark College), Tom spent eight years as a full-time parent to three daughters (who initially provided rich inspiration and have lately begun rewarding him with grandchildren). His feature article, “A Man’s Place: Scenes from the Life of a Father at Home,” which appeared in the Autumn 1988 University of Portland Magazine, was awarded a silver medal by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. His further reflections on fatherhood have been published in Parenting, The Oregonian, and Full-Time Dads.

In recent years, Tom has written about various philanthropic issues, including organizational leadership, planned giving, and cause-related marketing. A casual poet, he has also composed the lyrics to five copyrighted songs.

Photo: Cris Stroud