Kate Weihe

Higher Ground Executive Director

A Florida native and flip flop lover, Kate offers her sociological and cheerleading expertise to the Higher Ground crew. She has worked her way through many roles with the organization, starting as volunteer coordinator in 2008, where she was able to experience the power of recreation therapy on a regular basis, and also connect the Higher Ground mission to the local community. She is incredibly proud of the positive impact we have on participants through therapeutic recreation and the outdoors. A beachcomber turned mountain lover, Kate revels in the high altitude lifestyle, but is pretty much freezing all of the time.

Rich Cardillo

Higher Ground Director of Veteran Programs

As the leader behind our national expansion, Rich inspires us all with his drive and commitment. He came by his strong work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile through his time with US Army where he served in leadership roles for more than 30 years. In addition to a soldier’s sense of duty and mission, Rich also brings a warm sense of humor and a quick smile to his work at Higher Ground--traits that make our days, as well as those of our participants, brighter.

Erin Rheinschild

Higher Ground Director of Philanthropy

Erin Rheinschild is basically the resident badass of
Higher Ground. A pilot, all-mountain skier, and mom
of 3-turned nonprofit professional, Erin brings a
wealth of hard work and optimism to the HG team.
As our Director of Philanthropy, Erin has played a
pivotal role in propelling the Higher Ground mission
and bringing the mission to the forefront of the
national conversation in how to best serve America’s
injured military community. Her priorities include
keeping the veteran and their family as the focal point
in all our programs and efforts nationwide. When not
in the office, you might spot Erin flying her plane high
above, running the SV trails, or throwing together
one of her renowned last-minute dinner parties.

Aly Tolles

Higher Ground Director of Finance

Alaina Wilson

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Director of Veteran Programs

Cara Barrett

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Director of Participant Engagement

Cara can basically claim that all HG programs are her brainchild. As the very first intern and then employee of Higher Ground, she is known throughout the office as the “grandma” due to her tenure since 2001. Cara has known she wanted to work in the outdoors since middle school, and her driving passion in the organization is not only the time she gets to spend with local kids with disabilities, but also in demonstrating to all local kids that having a disability does not limit what is possible in life. She cherishes time outdoors with her husband, two boys, and dog, Billy. I bet you can’t guess what sport she took home the Long Island regional championship trophy for?! (Hint: it’s race walking)

Jeff Burley

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Director of Adaptive Sports

Jeff’s extensive background in adaptive sports, from clinical work to hands-on instruction, dates back to 1995. Yet, even though he’s put the time in instructing as well as studying recreational therapy, he’s always eager to build his knowledge of the field. Jeff is also eager to share his enthusiasm and expertise. For example, Jeff recently hosted and presented the first-ever, Higher Ground Trout Unlimited Train the Trainer fly fishing event. If Jeff isn’t casting a line or skiing with participants, you can find him outdoors with his family enjoying whatever seasonal sport is available at the time or with friends discovering his next favorite microbrew.

Trey Randle

Higher Ground New York
Director of Veteran Programs

Adam Rund

Higher Ground Los Angeles
Veteran Program Engagement Specialist

Adam was a participant at the HGLA Ocean Sports 2017 program and couldn’t get enough of us! In his unique experience as a participant turned staff member he is able to understand, first-hand, the benefits our week-long programs provide and how to build them with veterans in mind. He wants his fellow veterans to have the ability to improve the quality of their lives through recreational therapy, and to know that they always have our support no matter how long ago their Higher Ground experience was. Besides rocking the veteran engagement side of things he loves paintball and inventing cool new paintball equipment!

Dave Keir

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Veteran Participant Coordinator

Armed with a Leisure Studies degree and 20+ years of hands-on experience, Dave is an unabashed advocate for the healing powers of outdoor recreation. He cherishes his role on the Higher Ground team as the first point of contact in connecting our nation’s veterans with once-in-a-lifetime recreation opportunities. Outside of the office, Dave enjoys trail running, outdoor photography and hiking with his cat Jasper. No really, he hikes with his cat.

Daniel Brown

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Adaptive Sports Program Coordinator

Daniel has been a fan of Higher Ground from afar for some time. In December 2019 he transplanted to the Valley and joined the team. He found the Higher Ground extended family to be the best way to immerse himself in his new community. Daniel provides a high level of genuine care and respect for the needs of each individual we serve. His favorite aspect of Higher Ground programs is assisting each participant in applying their unique abilities and discovering all the great things that they can do. He considers himself I am a restless soul while on land and looks to paddling whitewater to set his spirit free.

Chris Dooley

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Veteran Program Manager

Meet Dooley – the original token ginger of the Higher Ground Team. Dooley joined the army when he was 17 and is very attuned to the needs of veterans. His favorite part of his job are the “aha” moments our participants experience. He loves helping others see the light and leave the darkness. In addition to working with Higher Ground, Dooley volunteers with Team Rubicon, a disaster response program. When he’s not volunteering to make life better for all, Dooley takes his research seriously as the unofficial Higher Ground Director of Hot Springs Research and Development.

Elyse Smidinger

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Volunteer Coordinator

Elyse is the smiling face who matches our volunteers to our programs. Her continuous support and energy is immensely impactful for our participants and volunteers. So what powers this ginger’s engine? People. Elyse trusts in the power of relationships and being able to inspire and motivate one another--and that goes for participants and volunteers. On another note, one of Elyse’s personal goals is to meet and pet every dog in Sun Valley and by all accounts, she’s doing quite well in her quest.

Jean Seymour

Higher Ground Accounting Manager

Justin Rujawitz

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Veteran Program Manager

A current Preventive Medicine Officer in the Idaho Army National Guard, Justin loves being able to serve his fellow soldiers as well as those who have served before him. Justin originally came to Higher Ground as an intern to better himself as an Army Officer, as well as give back to those who have selflessly sacrificed for our country. But the more Justin experienced what we do and saw the positive changes in the participants’ lives, the more he wanted to stay. So he did and is now full time at Higher Ground. Beyond the fact that Justin thinks his co-workers are awesome, he’s also happy to live at the gateway to the Sawtooth Mountains and enjoy all this area has to offer.

Justin Safley

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Adaptive Sports Program Manager

Where would we be without Justin? Justin is our heavy lifter, literally and metaphorically. Where there’s a task to be done, Justin checks it off the list! His favorite part about being on the Higher Ground team are his interactions with our participants, whether they're veterans from across the country or local kids and adults. When he’s not at work, Justin takes advantage of the stellar ice hockey and mountain biking in the Sun Valley area and whenever possible, he rocks out at metal concerts. Oh yeah, and guess how many tattoos he has! We dare you!

Kayla Pedrolini

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Recreation Youth Program Manager

Our Midwestern charmer from Michigan, Kayla brings a wealth of experience to our staff, including adaptive water skiing, swimming, and a lifetime of working with her younger brother who is on the autism spectrum. She sees nothing but the best in people and programs, and is excited by the potential for growth, innovation, and community partnership at Higher Ground. Kayla loves all things outdoors, as well as dancing, painting and drawing. She is also fluent in Spanish and has an adorable dog, Frida!

Kirstin Webster

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Internship & Impact Manager

The longest tenured member of the current SV military team, Kirstin brings a genuine compassion and heartfelt curiosity to the HG staff. Kirstin can boast a published work among her many accomplishments; she analyzed and published findings about the power and influence through serving veterans in the outdoors. Kirstin is especially adept in helping connect others to the HG mission as she oversees the growing HG internship program. If you don’t catch Kirstin in the hot springs or chatting with local veterans, you may find her recreating in the wilderness through rafting, camping, climbing, or water skiing. Occasionally you might also steal a glimpse of her rocking a headstand on her stand up paddleboard, or speaking American Sign Language with our local participants!

Kelly Eisenbarger

Higher Ground
Marketing Coordinator

Kris King

Higher Ground Los Angeles
Veteran Programs Manager

Kris could be any kitchen appliance he would be a blender because he likes to mix things up. At our Higher Ground chapter in Los Ángeles, he does just that, combining his grit,creativity and strong belief in inclusivity as he works with veterans. When not at Higher Ground, Kris enjoys spending time meditating, cooking plant based meals with friends & reading. Kris is an avid outdoors person and enjoys paddle boarding, surfing, camping, climbing and cycling. They also volunteer at a LA Children's Hospital, an adaptive climbing program and the local LGBT Center.

Lili Hansen

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Development Manager

Mose Duchano

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Recreation Program Manager

Playing where’s Mose is like a game of where’s Waldo? In fact, he may just have the best job here at Higher Ground. Mose appreciates this and loves taking participants through an array of adaptive activities, from back country skiing to adaptive cycling on the single-track trails of the Sawtooth Mountains. Mose brings his unique ability to bring people out of their comfort zones while never impeding on their personal space and keeping the mood positive. If Mose isn’t he guiding people through the back country, he’s out there pushing his own limits on a new adventure!

Natasha Roseboom

Higher Ground New York
Veteran Programs Manager

Natasha is the pioneer who created our first Higher
Ground program east of Idaho. Using our established
HG model, she’s built a balanced program in New
York that continues to draw and serve veterans in
need. In turn, she’s found that by growing this new
chapter, she too has grown in her work as a
recreational therapist and she looks forward to
continuing to improve and expand the program so
that it will also become a model for future Higher
Ground chapters.

Robyn Marrelli

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Office Administrator

Ruler of the nest, stickler for organization, and a positive force, Robyn makes sure our office is running smoothly and efficiently. She originally came upon Higher Ground through volunteering more than 15 years ago. In addition to keeping the office running like clockwork, Robyn also volunteers the Wood River Animal Shelter, putters in her garden and rides her road bike. Bonus skill: Robyn can sing just about any showtune you name!

Brienne Costa

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Veteran Program Manager

As a clinical Recreational Therapist for 20 years within the hospital system, Brienne is excited to merge her love of the outdoors with her extensive therapeutic recreation background. She understands the healing power of nature and is honored be able to serve our nation's veterans through Higher Ground programming. Also a certified snowboard instructor, she enjoys making her favorite sport accessible to all people. A Chicagoan at heart, she will talk extensively about Chicago sports...da Bears! Outside of the office, she enjoys chasing snow around the world, mountain biking, surfing, yoga, and writing/recording music.