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.

Aly Tolles

Higher Ground Director of Finance

Aly Eagan joined Higher Ground in September 2017 and serves as Finance Director. In this role, she is responsible for all of HG’s finance department and works closely with the board of directors and the executive team in the development and execution of the organization’s financial strategy. This includes financial reporting, planning and analysis, policies and procedures, and internal audit. After receiving her Masters in Accountancy from Gonzaga University, Aly spent the first seven years of her career working in public accounting and then in corporate accounting as financial controller and CFO. She has now found her niche in the non-profit world, where she gets to combine her love of numbers with her desire to help make a positive impact in people’s lives. When she's not crunching numbers, Aly enjoys enjoying the outdoors with her husband and dog!

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.

Brian "Von" Herbulis

Higher Ground Director of Strategic Initiatives

Von comes to Higher Ground after career as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps where he led numerous reconnaissance and special operations units. Since retiring from active military service, he has become a leader in veteran non-profits and advocacy. He has served in a multitude of positions from volunteer and non-profit board member to directorship roles. He is also a President G.W. Bush Institute Veteran Leadership Scholar. Von is a dedicated family man, youth sports coach, horse show dad, and outdoor enthusiast who loves to spend his free time backpacking, fly fishing and summitting mountains in honor and memory of those he lost in combat. His personal mission statement is to be an honorable man and enrich the lives of others.

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!

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.

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.

Elyse Smidinger

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Adaptive Sports Manger

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.

Gary Vinagre

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Community Relations Volunteer

Gary’s title is Community Relations Volunteer, except it should be Mr. Everything. He has been an almost full-time volunteer for the past 7 years. He is proud to help HG with it’s many veteran programs in a variety of ways. Having lived in Ketchum for 53 years, he knows the ins and outs of the non-profit and local community. We are lucky to have such a dedicated and passionate team member!

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 Emerson

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Operations & Learning Manager

Kirstin Emerson joined HG in 2012 and spent eight years as one of the recreation therapists supporting our veteran programs. She now works more behind the scenes in support of the organization as a whole, and continues to bring a genuine compassion and heartfelt curiosity to the HG staff. 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 Cavanaugh

Higher Ground Sun Valley
Development Coordinator

Kelly Eisenbarger

Higher Ground
Marketing Coordinator

Kristian King

Higher Ground Los Angeles
Veteran Programs Manager

Kristian 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, Kristian enjoys spending time meditating, cooking plant based meals with friends & reading. Kristian 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

Lili comes from the coast but found her heart in the mountains. Lili truly believes in the power of fresh air, dirt trails and the effect nature has on one’s general well-being. Her mission at Higher Ground is to manage and oversee the people who make it possible to do what we do, our donors. While Lili’s role is more sedentary than most of the other roles at HG she takes every opportunity she can to get out there with our participants. When she is not in the office, you can find this ginger running the trails with her dog Bell or toddling around with her daughter, Harlow!

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!