Team Types: Board Of Directors

Thomas Mistele

  • 1 minute read

  • February 6, 2025

Tom spent his professional career as Former Director, COO and General Counsel for Dodge & Cox; Chairman of Dodge & Cox Worldwide Investments Ltd (UK and Ireland); General Counsel, Executive Vice President and Compliance Officer, Franklin Templeton; and as a Licensed Educational Psychologist in the State of California. Now retired, Tom hasn’t skipped a beat and remains incredibly engaged with causes that are near and dear to him. Tom is currently a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation, as well as a US Olympic & Paralympic Committee governance and management consultant. He volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children throughout the state of Idaho.

Tom’s son served as a USMC infantry officer with a tour in Afghanistan, which connects him even more so to the Higher Ground mission. As a former psychologist, he is particularly interested in the power of recreational therapy and mental health programs for veterans and first responders, as well as the diverse kids HG serves. He is a triathlete who believes in the therapeutic benefits of physical activity.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025

Erin Pfaeffle

  • 1 minute read

  • February 6, 2025

Erin grew up in Burlington, Vermont; she graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Middlebury College and a master’s in social work from Boise State University. Erin began her social work career with St. Luke’s Wood River in 1999, with a special focus in community mental health. Through this work she contributed to the development and leadership of many nonprofit organizations addressing our community’s social drivers of health. Erin currently serves as the Senior Director of Community Health and Engagement for the St. Luke’s Health System.

Erin first connected with Higher Ground through her work supporting HG’s local recreation therapy programs. She was pivotal in helping HG build a better mental health support system for our veteran participants. Erin states that her work with HG has been a highlight personally and professionally, and that HG provides the ultimate vehicle for her passion in providing people with resources, skills, and the love they need to achieve their best health and wellbeing.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025

Spike Booth

  • 1 minute read

  • February 6, 2025

Spike graduated with a M.S. in Geology from the Colorado School of Mines. He spent 8 years with California Portland Cement, followed by 28 years as an executive in aerospace and defense work. Spike is passionate about our nation’s veteran community and how we as a society can better support our heroes following their selfless military service. Spike has seen firsthand how Higher Ground programs fill the gap, and provides services to ease our veterans’ transition home. He believes strongly in the power of therapeutic recreation to create positive, fulfilling change in our veterans’ lives. Spike is an avid lover of the outdoors, and embraces any chance to fish, hunt, hike, bike and host veterans in these pursuits.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025

Mike Gilman

  • 1 minute read

  • February 6, 2025

Mike is the President and Principal of Lee Gilman Builders, Inc., a custom home building company based in Ketchum, ID. Mike’s HG experience started many years ago when he and many of his colleagues volunteered for one of Higher Ground’s Veteran Ski Camps. Mike is passionate about bringing therapeutic recreational opportunities to children and adults, particularly the ski programs.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025

Dave Hennessy

  • 1 minute read

  • February 6, 2025

Dave grew up on the East Coast and made his way to Sun Valley after graduating from Middlebury College. He is the Founder/Owner of Hennessy Company, a real estate development and construction company based in Hailey, ID, since 1996. Higher Ground is a family affair for Dave; his youngest daughter was a HG camp counselor for several summers, which originally opened Dave’s eyes to the impact of the programs for our vulnerable populations ok kids, teens, and veterans. He seeks out any opportunity to support the HG mission, from working with staff, to volunteering for veteran ski programs, and everything in between. His personal love of sport and the outdoors carries through in his passion for Higher Ground.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025

Michael Lanahan

  • 1 minute read

  • February 6, 2025

After attending Syracuse University, Michael served in the U.S. Army, with one year in theatre during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, Michael received his MBA from the University of Virginia and worked as a commercial and investment banker until founding Greystone Communities, Inc. in 1982. Until his retirement as Chairman in 2022, Michael was responsible for assuring Greystone’s resources were aligned with clients’ needs and positioning the company to succeed and grow in an ever-changing senior living environment. Michael is naturally drawn to the Higher Ground mission as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, and specifically the treatment he received after his time in Vietnam. He believes strongly in the need for our country to support its veterans, and values how Higher Ground addresses the physical, mental and psychological wellbeing of the military community through therapeutic recreation programs.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025

Hayes MacArthur

  • 2 minutes read

  • February 6, 2025

As a writer and actor originally from Chicago, Hayes began his career performing theater and comedy and has gone on to have a long and diversified career in film and television. Over the years, Hayes has worked closely with many charitable organizations, including Feeding America, Communities in Schools, and The Art of Elysium, a powerful organization that provides creative therapy for children facing end of life issues. He moved to Sun Valley in 2020 with his wife, Ali, and their two children Theodore and Vivienne.

He was initially drawn to Higher Ground because the organization provided an incredible experience for close family friends whose children experienced health difficulties, and his personal stance on supporting returning veterans. From family members to friends, he believes it’s our responsibility to care for those who served long after their time in the military is over.

He loves how Higher Ground helps participants confront struggles and transform them into skills to bring back into their daily life. He’s experienced the insight and energy that one can get from biking, skiing, rafting, and hiking and enjoys helping others overcome any obstacles to feel the same. The recreational therapy that Higher Ground provides stays with participants long after their visit is over.

For the past two years he has greatly enjoyed his time on Dollar Mountain with the Alpine Green Team. He’s excited to continue his volunteer work and explore new ways and opportunities for Higher Ground to grow and reach even more people.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025

Amanda O’Grady

  • 1 minute read

  • February 6, 2025

Amanda is the Group VP of Innovation at Lovevery, a global child development company helping parents make the most of each learning stage. Amanda’s personal connection to Higher Ground started when her daughter, Grace, began skiing with the organization before she was able to walk independently. Higher Ground has had a life changing impact on Grace by making activities—that would normally be out of reach for her—accessible and joyful! Amanda applies her analytical skills to the program strategy committee and beyond at HG, and is honored to support the organization that has had such an indelible impact on her family, the local community and the national community of participants and their families.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025

Jelani Hale

  • 2 minutes read

  • November 19, 2021

Jelani has over 25 years of professional experience across a diverse range of industries and organizations. He is currently a Venture Partner with ARCH Venture Partners, and he also held multiple executive-level positions at Wynn Las Vegas. Prior to joining the private sector, Jelani served for 16 years as an officer in the United States Navy. He served in a variety of leadership positions and deployed to over 20 different countries around the world with extensive experience in the Middle East and Asia and completed six combat deployments.
Jelani has a strong obligation to “give back” to the community and wants to support our veterans as well as our local participants with special needs.
Jelani’s first involvement with Higher Ground when he attended an event back in 2006 (previously Sun Valley Adaptive Sports). He became drawn to the mission of Higher Ground. After having the opportunity to spend more time with the board and staff at Higher Ground, Jelani stated, “I have been even more impressed with the dedication, passion, and professionalism of the team.”
Jelani grew up in the mountains of southwest Montana where he developed a love of outdoor recreation from a young age. He can personally attest to the healing power of nature and knows that spending time in nature has helped him manage some of the mental health challenges that he faced in his military career. “I love that Higher Ground uses the power and beauty of nature to create amazing experiences for program participants.”
Jelani lives in Ketchum with his wife and two daughters and enjoys alpine skiing and mountain biking.

Written by:

Harper Sample

Published on:

November 19, 2021