About
Building Stronger People. Stronger Organizations. Stronger Communities.
We believe every person has the potential to make a meaningful impact. Through practical education, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and business consulting, Cast Forward Solutions helps people discover that potential and turn it into lasting success.
Our Story
At Cast Forward Solutions, education goes beyond sharing information. We create experiences that inspire confidence, strengthen leadership, and prepare people for success. Our team brings diverse backgrounds in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community service to every workshop, program, and consulting partnership.
Christine Smith
Christine Smith is a business consultant, organizational development professional, business analyst, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping organizations strengthen operations, develop exceptional leaders, and build workplaces where people thrive. She combines expertise in business strategy, workforce development, process improvement, and data-informed decision-making to help organizations solve complex challenges with practical, people-centered solutions.
Christine earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources from the University of Alaska Southeast and is completing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Business Analytics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her work bridges organizational development, business consulting, and analytics to transform information into actionable strategies that improve organizational performance and employee success.
Her professional experience spans healthcare administration, executive leadership support, workforce planning, business operations, and continuous process improvement. As the founder of Elite Dog Gear, an Alaska-based manufacturing company, Christine has also built a business from the ground up, gaining firsthand experience in entrepreneurship, product development, branding, marketing, operations, and customer engagement. These experiences allow her to bring practical, real-world insight to the organizations, leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs she serves.
A resident of the Mat-Su Valley since 2015, Christine is passionate about investing in Alaska's workforce and helping local organizations build strong leaders, resilient teams, and sustainable systems for long-term success. Through Cast Forward Solutions, she partners with businesses, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations to strengthen leadership, improve organizational effectiveness, and prepare today's workforce for tomorrow's challenges.
Outside of work, Christine enjoys exploring Alaska with her husband and their dogs, embracing new adventures, and continually pursuing opportunities to learn and grow. She believes that investing in people is the foundation of every successful organization and is committed to helping others move confidently toward their goals.
Co-Founder |Â Business Consultant
Jennifer Walther, MSOL
Jennifer Walther is a leadership consultant, educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping individuals, organizations, and communities grow through practical learning and purposeful leadership. She combines real-world business experience with academic expertise to create engaging educational experiences that equip people with the confidence and skills to lead effectively.
Jennifer earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Alaska Anchorage. For more than 20 years, she has co-owned and helped lead successful Alaska businesses, gaining firsthand experience in entrepreneurship, operations, customer service, marketing, team development, and organizational leadership.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has been passionate about developing people. She has designed and facilitated educational programs, worked alongside businesses, schools, and community organizations, and enjoys creating practical learning experiences that participants can immediately apply in their workplaces and everyday lives. More recently, she has expanded her community involvement by serving on several nonprofit boards, where she continues to support leadership development and collaborative community initiatives.
Jennifer believes the most effective leadership is practical, authentic, and rooted in strong relationships. Her approach combines research-based leadership principles with real-world experience, helping participants strengthen communication, build confidence, and develop skills that create lasting personal and professional growth.
As a mother of seven, Jennifer is especially passionate about preparing the next generation with the leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. Through Cast Forward Solutions, she partners with businesses, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to develop confident leaders, strengthen workplace culture, and inspire lifelong learning.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, and spending time outdoors with her family, embracing everything Alaska has to offer.
Co-Founder | Leadership Consultant