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BIO

 

Tom Soma

A native of Michigan and 1979 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, I lived in Portland, Oregon for most of my adult life. After I retired in 2019, my wife and I moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 2021.

My professional career began with a year of volunteer service at a legal clinic, followed by two years working with emotionally disturbed children in a residential treatment center. In between stints in higher education fundraising (initially at the University of Portland and later at Lewis & Clark College), I devoted eight years to part-time writing and the full-time parenting of my three daughters (who initially provided rich inspiration and subsequently rewarded me with five grandchildren). In 1999, I was appointed Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Oregon and Southwest Washington (RMHC®), where I served for 15 years. From 2016-2019, I directed Children's Center in Oregon City, Oregon (a child abuse intervention center).

For nearly three decades, I’ve served as a consultant to not-for-profit organizations and as a mentor to aspiring leaders. In June, 2025, I completed a three-year term as chair of Financial Beginnings (where I continue to serve as a board member and officer). I’m also on the board of the Fairbridge Foundation. Both organizations are located in Portland, Oregon.

Over the years, I’ve written articles for PORTLAND (The University of Portland Magazine), The Oregonian, Full-Time Dads, Mothering, and Spirituality & Health. In December of 2012, I authored my first book (No Small Thing—and Other Periodic Musings), a collection of essays set at the Ronald McDonald House and paired with the stunning portraits of award-winning photographer, Bob Ray. My second book (The Secret Ingredient—More Musings from the Ronald McDonald Houses) was published in 2014 by NewSouth Books (Montgomery, AL).

Between my tenures at RMHC and Children’s Center, I sold my home, loaded my RV, and set out on a journey through America in search of God—which is captured in part on the pages of this site. I’ve recently completing a book about that 53-week, 26,000-mile adventure, which I hope will be published in 2026.

 

 

 

 

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Photo: Cris Stroud