Mission
We use recreation, therapy, and continuing support to give people of all abilities a better life. Together we bridge the gap between disability and belonging.
Vision
Higher Ground will empower all people to achieve their highest quality of life.
Values
Innovation | Integrity | Passion | Service | Teamwork
Recreational Therapy 101
As defined by American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC):
Recreational therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being.
Physical therapy will help you function with mobility. Occupational therapy will help you with your daily living. Recreational therapy helps people get back to being themselves. We can be the glue that holds people together.
Jason Schwab
Recreational Therapist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital
22 million veterans live in the country.
22 commit suicide every day.
1 in 3 suffers from depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. And it doesn't just affect veterans: children of people with PTSD are likely to show PTSD symptoms of their own.0p>
Here are a few of the challenges that await our soldiers when they return home:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Post-traumatic stress
- Military sexual trauma
- Polytrauma
- Homelessness
Recreational therapy empowers our veterans and eases this transition.
Research has proven that Higher Ground participants experience:
- Increased sense of camaraderie
- Improved attentiveness and sleep quality
- Increased confidence
- Decreased depression and anxiety
Our participants and their families also tell us how much Higher Ground has helped them communicate. And we couldn’t be prouder of that. Because when people can talk to each other, they feel understood. And when you feel understood, you feel like you belong.
Locations
From sea to shining sea...and some Idaho Rockies in between

This is where it all began...a place of extraordinary beauty with recreational possibilities to match. The Sun Valley community believes that people of all abilities should be able to experience the healing powers of the mountains.
That is why Higher Ground was born.
Nordic Skiing
Snowboarding
Snowshoeing
Sled Hockey
Hiking
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Kayaking
Equine Therapy
Rock Climbing
Yoga
Biking
The Arts
White Water Rafting
Swimming
Tennis
Soccer
Archery
Martial Arts
160 7th Street W
Ketchum, ID 83340
PO Box 6791
Ketchum, ID 83340

We are here because there are over 300,000 veterans living in Los Angeles County. And they need our support.
Kayaking
Equine Therapy
Rock Climbing
Yoga
Biking
White Water Rafting
Swimming
Tennis
Archery
Gardening
Bowling
Hiking
Basketball
520 S Grand Ave, Suite 370
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Western New York is home to another one of the largest veteran populations in the country. It is also a place of great natural beauty and a strong, family-oriented community — the elements that have made our Sun Valley program so successful.
Kayaking
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Ropes Courses
Nutrition
Hiking
Yoga
Buffalo, NY 14225
HG Team
We are a tight-knit unit, hellbent on bringing more joy to people's lives through recreation and nature.

Kate Dobbie
Executive Director

Kate Dobbie
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.
Kate@HigherGroundUSA.org

Aly Eagan
Director of Finance

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!
Aly@HigherGroundUSA.org

Erin Rheinschild
Director of Philanthropy

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.
Erin@HigherGroundUSA.org

Brian Von Herbulis
Director of Operations

Brian "Von" Herbulis
Higher Ground Director of Operations
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.
Von@HigherGroundUSA.org


Cara Barrett
Director of Participant Engagement

Cara Barrett
Higher Ground
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)
Cara@HigherGroundUSA.org

Jeff Burley
Director of Adaptive Sports

Jeff Burley
Higher Ground
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.
Jeff@HigherGroundUSA.org

Natasha Roseboom
Veteran Program Manager

Natasha Roseboom
Higher Ground
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.
Natasha@HigherGroundUSA.org

Adam Rund
Veteran Program Manager

Adam Rund
Higher Ground
Veteran Program Manager
Adam was a participant at the HG 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!
Adam@HigherGroundUSA.org

Brienne Costa
Veteran Program Manager

Brienne Costa
Higher Ground
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.
Brienne@HigherGroundUSA.org

Dave Keir
Veteran Participant Manager
Dave Keir
Higher Ground
Veteran Participant Manager
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.
Dave@HigherGroundUSA.org

Elyse Smidinger
Adaptive Sports Manager

Elyse Smidinger
Higher Ground
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.
Elyse@HigherGroundUSA.org

Gary Vinagre
Community Relations Volunteer

Gary Vinagre
Higher Ground
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!
Gary@HigherGroundUSA.org

Justin Rujawitz
Veteran Program Manager

Justin Rujawitz
Higher Ground
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.R@HigherGroundUSA.org

Justin Safley
Adaptive Sports Coordinator

Justin Safley
Higher Ground
Adaptive Program Coordinator
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!
Justin@HigherGroundUSA.org


Kayla Pedrolini
Adaptive Sports Manager

Kayla Pedrolini
Higher Ground
Adaptive 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!
Kayla@HigherGroundUSA.org



Kirstin Emerson
Operation & Learning Manager

Kirstin Emerson
Higher Ground
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!
Kirstin@HigherGroundUSA.org

Kristian King
Veteran Program Manager

Kristian King
Higher Ground
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.
Kris@HigherGroundUSA.org

Lili Hansen
Development Manager

Lili Hansen
Higher Ground
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!
Lili@HigherGroundUSA.org


Mose Duchano
Adaptive Sports Manager

Mose Duchano
Higher Ground
Adaptive Sports 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!
Mose@HigherGroundUSA.org


HG Board
This dedicated team has helped HG transform from a local non-profit to a national recreational therapy leader.

Jeff Rust
Chair

Barry Bevers
Vice Chair

Penny Weiss
Secretary

Jim Laski

Erin Pfaeffle

Hayward L. Sawyer

Spike Booth

Dave Hennessy

Michael Spachman

Michael Lanahan

Rick Emsiek
Mike Gilman

Spike Booth
Chair

Rob Shepherd

Walter Conn

Donald Taylor

Geoff Arrobio

Roger Woodworth
Chair

Marlene Roll

Sandy Schoellkopf

Jim Laski
Amber Phillippi
Ignatius Golombek

Teri McKenna
