Our Story
Addressing a silent epidemic:
The decline of relational dignity
The Higher Ground Project was born from witnessing the real cost of disconnection. We saw people projecting their pain onto others, abandoning themselves for the illusion of “connection,” and repeating harmful relational patterns. We witnessed how a lack of self-awareness, kindness, and emotional maturity fractures relationships and creates deep insecurity and disconnection, wreaking havoc not only within individuals, but across workplaces and communities. Frankly, we became frustrated by how poorly we treat one another and ourselves, and by how often this harm is normalized.
Over time, it became clear that this is more than just a loneliness crisis or organizational strain. It reflects a broader decline in relational dignity, reinforced by cultures and systems that prioritize performance over care. Relational dignity is the practice of treating others (and being treated) with fundamental respect, care, and recognition. It means protecting the humanity, worth, and emotional and psychological safety of ourselves and others within the relationships and institutions we share. When relational dignity erodes, we become more disconnected and our capacity for care shrinks.
Higher Ground is our response. We exist to help individuals, organizations, and communities build their capacity to create safer, healthier, and more connected ways of working and living together. Through organizational change strategies, community programs, and trainings, we raise the standard for how systems and cultures function, supporting healthier ways of working and relating.
Meet The Founder
Hello! I’m Dr. Crystal Clarke, I’m a social psychologist and organizational change strategist who works at the intersection of systems transformation and self-awareness. I support leaders and teams in organization development which often looks like shifting toxic, outdated patterns and naming hard truths with clarity and care.
But at the heart of what I do, I help people and organizations see themselves more honestly, and move forward with greater integrity. I help guide people back to themselves and each other.
Whether I’m facilitating, advising, or designing organizational change efforts, my approach is always grounded in emotional intelligence, deep listening, and the belief that sustainable change begins within.
In 2020, I decided to bet on myself and quit my job in academia to travel the world. Since then I’ve been on my own personal journey of self expansion, evolution and reclamation. I live for deep conversations, wild travel adventures, hot yoga, elephants, and the kind of community where growth and care is non-negotiable. Whether I’m helping organizations operate better or creating spaces like The Higher Ground Project, I’m here to make sure we don’t just talk about change, we become it.