Shelly Cihan

Since 2009, Shelly has dedicated her professional career to learning, executing, and speaking about SEO and digital marketing.

Shelly Cihan is a sharp, mission-driven marketing leader who blends strategy with heart. As the founder of Rooted Rock Marketing, she’s not just chasing metrics—she’s building meaningful impact for clients and causes she genuinely cares about, from wilderness preservation to regional tourism and community-driven nonprofits. Whether she’s guiding a team, reshaping a website, or refining the tone of a single sentence, Shelly brings clarity, creativity, and purpose to every detail.

With a career rooted in digital marketing leadership, Shelly spent over a decade at Adworkshop (now Workshop) in Lake Placid, NY where she built and scaled a thriving SEO/SEM department—retaining many of her clients from day one through her departure. Her approach combines data fluency with human-centered insight, and she’s known for helping other agencies and in-house teams navigate everything from paid media performance to messaging pivots and organizational change—while breaking down complex marketing concepts in a way that builds client understanding and trust.

Shelly is always tuned into what’s next. She’s a frequent conference attendee and a close reader of evolving marketing trends, especially where AI, travel, and nonprofit strategy intersect. Her work with the National Audubon Society and other mission-based organizations reflects a strong personal commitment to conservation and community. Whether she’s building a campaign or building up her team, Shelly leads with empathy, curiosity, and a drive to create work that not only performs—but matters. With a passion for learning, Shelly has experience in a variety of work environments, from corporate organizations to managing small local businesses. She even almost became an NYS Forest Ranger! These experiences gave her a unique background in business that has led to a very successful career in marketing.