OUR TEAM

ABOUT

Ensoterra is an Oregon-based consulting firm providing innovative, practical solutions that allow leaders to focus on serving their communities. Founded in 2023 by Katrina Van Dis, we work with a wide range of organizations—from government agencies and universities to for-profit and nonprofit businesses—using a sliding scale fee structure to ensure accessibility. Our collaborative team of experienced consultants brings diverse expertise to help organizations thrive. Drawing on both lived experience and professional backgrounds, we apply an equity-centered approach to every project.

FOUNDER & PRINCIPLE CONSULTANT

Katrina grew up on a cherry orchard in Eastern Oregon and is deeply passionate about rural communities, nature, and resilience. An entrepreneur at heart, she has founded multiple for-profit and nonprofit organizations. With strong intuition, a tireless work ethic, and a vision for how systems connect and overlap, Katrina translates big-picture ideas into actionable projects and links them to funding opportunities. She applies the principles of Ecological Economics—focusing on the interdependence of human economies and the natural environment—to help communities make thoughtful, sustainable decisions.

Katrina founded Ensoterra (“truth + earth”) to offer much-needed services on a sliding scale, believing that purpose should outweigh profit. She is also the founder of the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance and co-founder of the Oregon Community Food Systems Network.

Areas of Expertise & Interest: Grants, nonprofits, board development, operations, community and economic development, food systems, community wildfire resilience, ecological economics, social determinants of health, and natural resources.

KATRINA VAN DIS

BEN MIOSI

SENIOR CONSULTANT

Ben is a designer and creative director with over fifteen years of experience building brands and leading creative teams from the ground up. From the sales floor to the shop floor, he combines storytelling, hands-on execution, and collaborative problem-solving to drive success for businesses of all sizes. His ability to curate complex narratives and build trust through authentic relationships has made him a trusted partner to both startups and established organizations.

When not immersed in creative strategy, Ben can be found cycling, exploring the woods, or playing drums.

Areas of Expertise: Business development, copywriting, project management, creative direction and strategy, branding, grant writing, and technical writing.

GRANT & RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Sam is an artist, educator, and gardener born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has a BFA in Modern Dance and BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah, a combination that reflects her jill-of-all trades nature. Her attention to detail and adaptability has been honed over years of teaching dance to all ages, working at nurseries, and managing community gardens. Sam spent the last year camping, climbing, and canyoneering in the American Southwest and pet-sitting across Northern Europe. She is happy to now be a part of the Ensoterra team gathering and condensing resources to make a wide variety of funding more accessible.

Areas of Expertise: Organization, research, technical writing and creativity.

SAM SIMONICH

TRUSTED PARTNERS

Timothy brings curiosity, creativity, and a passion for problem-solving to everything he does. As founder of Backstitch Collective, he designs innovative solutions that make nature more accessible and joyful for everyone, with a focus on removing barriers for people with disabilities. Tim enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife, Katrina Van Dis, and their dog.

TIMOTHY GORBOLD

A native Oregonian, Janel has extensive non-profit and local government experience. She Co-Founded of Present and Positive, was a Founding member of Idyllwild Forest Health Project, was the Community & Economic Development Program Administrator at Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council and works at Forage Wellness Collective.

JANEL RUEHL

Shelley is the founder of Lane County Bounty, a food hub partnering with more than 40 agricultural producers. She works alongside nonprofits to advance food equity programs, provide healthy grocery boxes for BIPOC community members experiencing food insecurity, and expand services to rural communities.

SHELLEY SCHULER

Kelly is a licensed dietitian and nutritionist with 20 years of experience in food systems, nutrition and public health. She has extensive experience in nutrition policy, program development, and food supply chain dynamics and is committed to forging strategic partnerships that drive meaningful change.

KELLY MOFFAT