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Guenevere Millius

President and founder

Parachute Strategies

In 2010, Guenevere Millius founded Parachute Strategies, a Portland-based firm that specializes in strategic planning, marketing planning and marketing implementation. Her 17 years of experience drives the consulting firm鈥檚 direction based on the idea that every marketing or strategic challenge should be met with innovation, expertise and professional integrity.

Millius鈥� interests and experience have molded her efforts as a business planning strategist with the goal of helping small businesses and nonprofits succeed as well as pushing the boundaries between entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to note that the client wants to change, (wants) to embrace a different mindset and set of skills,鈥� Millius said. 鈥淚 work with them to overcome an entrepreneurial wall where, as they grow, they have to delegate authority, responsibility and extend their trust. That鈥檚 not an easy thing for many small businesses. It鈥檚 like going to therapy. We determine how to effect change, work with the staff, work into a position of trust and move toward having everyone in the same place.

鈥淚 love when they understand that it鈥檚 not just them and their business that鈥檚 growing and evolving, but their employees too.鈥�

Millius has been active with the Portland City Club, and served as a board member from 2002 to 2006. She also has been active on a number of the group鈥檚 committees, including the New Leaders Council, which she co-founded in 2002.

She recently resigned from the Portland Design Commission, after approximately eight years as a commissioner, including service as chairwoman from 2009 to 2014.

She has been active with the American Cancer Society and served as chairwoman of public relations for the organization鈥檚 Portland Hope Ball, which raised more than $400,000 for cancer research this year.

She has also been a board member for the Pearl District Neighborhood Association and its Planning, Design and Transportation Committee. Her involvement in shaping the area鈥檚 transportation scene also led her to serve as a member of the citizen advisory committee that helped select the design for the new Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People.

鈥淚t鈥檚 cool,鈥� Millius said about the bridge being dedicated to bicycles, light-rail trains and pedestrians. 鈥淚t will add to the capacity for the (city鈥檚) east-to-west connection. And the fact that it鈥檚 focused on bikes is really unique for a major city. 鈥� It鈥檚 really a symbol. It says we can do things differently and better. I find that really exciting as a concept.鈥�