John Shinholser

President emeritus & Co-Founder at McShin Foundation

John Shinholser is a passionate advocate for recovery from substance use disorders. He served as President Emeritus of The McShin Foundation, which he co-founded in 2004 with his wife Carol McDaid. The foundation is a Virginia-based organization that provides peer-led support services and recovery resources to individuals and families affected by substance use. John has had a successful career as a business owner and has served on the boards of various organizations focused on substance abuse treatment and recovery.

He's received numerous awards for his lifelong commitment to recovery and his work establishing a robust recovery community model. And he's been a leading voice in the field, traveling across the US and internationally to share his expertise and advocate for greater access to recovery resources. John's expertise and dedication have contributed significantly to advancing peer-led recovery support and developing innovative programs that empower individuals to achieve a sustainable recovery. He retired from McShin in December 2023 and is working on his autobiography, reflecting on his personal journey and his impact in the field.