We are honored to announce a moment of profound transition in the life of Shared Wellness.

John Thvedt is retiring from his role as Chief Executive Officer, bringing to a close more than five decades of extraordinary leadership and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/A). John's career has been defined by his unwavering commitment to equity, dignity, and the belief that all people—no matter their challenges—deserve lives filled with purpose, voice, and connection.

John began his career as a special education teacher and soon became a leader in the deinstitutionalization movement, helping individuals transition out of institutional settings and into homes and communities where they could thrive. As Director of Residential Services at the Jay Nolan Center—one of the first organizations in California to offer community-based housing for people with Autism—John helped lay the foundation for what would become a nationwide shift in how we support people with disabilities.

His work extended nationally as a consultant, traveling the country to partner with state leaders and local communities. In collaboration with the Southern Poverty Law Center, he evaluated state centers and advocated for the civil rights of people with ID/A, ensuring their voices were heard and their rights upheld. In Pennsylvania, John played a key role in reviewing the quality of life for Pennhurst Class members, affirming the importance of person-centered care for individuals who had too long been institutionalized and marginalized.

John’s clinical journey began with a behaviorist framework, but as his understanding deepened, so did his philosophy. He evolved into a psychologist and researcher of clinical practices rooted in wellness and healing—approaches designed specifically for those who struggle the most: individuals who have been ignored, neglected, and abused. John became a leading voice in the Positive Approaches movement, rejecting control-based methods and instead embracing empathy, regulation, and the idea that “all behavior is communication.”

For those who had been taught dependence, John offered something radically different. He looked them in the eye and said,

“You are in charge of you.”

That simple, powerful mantra continues to echo across Shared Wellness—in our homes, therapy sessions, peer support circles, and staff culture. It’s more than a phrase; it’s a philosophy of empowerment that permeates every level of our work.

Looking Ahead: Christine Martin’s Transition and Continued Leadership

We also share that Christine Martin will be stepping down from day-to-day program operations to focus on the design and development of innovative services and system-level transformation.

Chris’s leadership has shaped the very fabric of Shared Wellness—from our trauma-informed environments to our dynamic, integrated programs. She will continue to guide the organization’s vision and expansion as a builder, designer, and advocate for community-rooted care.

The staff at Shared Wellness have always looked to John to shine a light on what truly matters: the person’s voice. Always listening. Always leading with love. His legacy lives in every policy, every program, every healing space we create.

Our passionate and highly skilled team will carry the torch into the next generation, walking the path John helped forge—one paved with trust, equity, and the firm belief that everyone deserves to be well and to be seen.

Join Us in Honoring John Thvedt’s Legacy

Please join us in celebrating John’s extraordinary life’s work, and honoring Chris’s ongoing role in shaping the future of inclusive wellness.

With deepest appreciation,
The Shared Wellness Team

Our CEO search committee is working with Lambert & Associates, an executive search firm specializing in the nonprofit sector, to assist in the search process. If you would like to reach out to Lambert & Associates directly, please visit their website www.lambertassoc.com or contact Cathy McGeever, Managing Partner, at cfmcgeever@lambertassoc.com.