Board of Directors
Steven Shields, Founder
In April of 2014, Steve came forward and started work on his own sexual addiction recovery. In January of 2016, hefounded Unashamed Unafraid, an organization that shares recovery stories and operates as a non-profit-501(c)(3) raising funds to pay for recovery resources of those struggling with addiction, and those betrayed by them. This organization became the heart of his personal recovery and growth. Steve has an incredible team that makes Unashamed Unafraid possible. He started speaking and mentoring in 2016.
In 2017 Steve joined the Warrior Heart Staff. He speaks in a variety of venues and circumstances, but Warrior Heart Bootcamp is still his favorite place to speak. This path of mentorship, speaking, and participating in the self-help space led him to want to go deeper with people, which is why he went back to school to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC).
When Steve is not working you can find him with his two children riding motorcycles, hiking, playing in a pokemon tournament, or writing impromptu rap songs.
Mike Peterson
Mike Peterson is an entrepreneur and CEO of SugarHouse Awning, where he leads a multigenerational family business rooted in craftsmanship, integrity, and community. He and his wife, Tami, are the proud parents of five children and one daughter-in-law, and his commitment to family deeply shapes his approach to personal growth and healing.
Having walked his own transformative journey, Mike brings a blend of compassion, candor, and practical insight to the work of recovery. He is honored to serve on the board of Unashamed Unafraid, supporting a mission that empowers individuals and families to move forward with courage rather than shame.
J.R. Moore
J.R. Moore served as the Executive Director of Unashamed Unafraid from 2022–2025, where he played a pivotal role in transforming the organization’s reach and impact. Under his leadership, the podcast grew from a small, inconsistently managed effort into a fully functioning 501(c)(3) with a clear mission and sustainable infrastructure. His vision and operational leadership helped establish Unashamed Unafraid as a trusted resource for individuals seeking hope, healing, and real stories of recovery. J.R. has been in recovery and living sober for many years and embodies what it means to live unashamed and unafraid.
Alongside his nonprofit work, J.R. brings more than 25 years of experience as a retail real estate specialist, leading a top‑performing team at Mountain West Commercial Real Estate. He has represented over 40 national, regional, and local brands, guiding market entries, multi‑unit expansions, and strategic relocations across the Intermountain West. Known for his tenacity, market insight, and relationship‑driven approach, he delivers data‑backed strategies that help tenants and landlords thrive.
Brent Farr
Brent Farr is a civil engineering leader with more than 25 years of experience in water resources and environmental services. He serves on the Board of Directors at DOWL and leads the firm’s Water & Environmental Services practice, overseeing 150 professionals across seven western states and guiding solutions to complex water and environmental challenges.
Before joining DOWL, he spent over two decades as the Founder and CEO of Farr West Engineering, growing the firm 100x in revenue and to more than 100 employees. Under his leadership, Farr West became northern Nevada’s largest local engineering firm in its specialty before merging with DOWL in 2022 to expand opportunities and regional reach. His career reflects deep expertise in consulting engineering, organizational leadership, and building high‑performing teams dedicated to strengthening communities throughout the western United States
Chris Bennett
With over 15 years of sobriety from multiple sexual addictions, Chris has found that it isn’t just one thing that has helped him find so much sobriety, it is a summary of choices made every day to be sober, remain sober, live a life of recovery and adventure, and to fight for his heart. Chris has been passionate about helping men in addiction recovery for over 12 years. He has coached and mentored many men to find recovery, sobriety, and their hearts.
Chris speaks at large and small private events, corporate events, and with his wife, Autumn, at firesides for churches. In his free time, Chris enjoys hiking and connecting with God in nature. You can listen to Chris and Autumn’s story here.
James Willhite
James Willhite has been helping others in and through their healing journey since 2012. As an experiential therapist, coach, and consultant, his unique balance of curiosity and deep wisdom creates a space for those dealing with trauma, abuse, betrayal, depression, anxiety, and addiction to feel a gentle safety in individual and group workshops. James leads two nonprofit organizations in which thousands of individuals have experienced life-changing healing of some of their deepest wounds.
James loves spending time with his wife, Kristy and with his 4 children. You can listen to James and Kristy’s recovery story here. He loves nature, indie music, trying new foods, and documentaries. James firmly believes that as we work to remove the obstacles and barriers of trauma, our true and divine identity will be uncovered at our core. It is then that we can become who we’ve longed to become and live out the lives we deserve.