Legacy & Beyond: Turnstone
What do you want your legacy to be?
As part of our 2025 Annual Report, we challenged four nonprofit leaders to answer the question in a statement that describes the impact they hope their organizations will have on the community through their leadership.
ORGANIZATION
Turnstone
Turnstone is northeast Indiana's only freestanding not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of supportive services addressing the unique needs of people with disabilities and their families, empowering them to achieve their highest potential.
Mike Mushett, CEO
Mike marked his 10th anniversary at the helm of Turnstone in January 2025. Before joining Turnstone, he worked at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee in Colorado, where he gained expertise in nonprofit education for people with disabilities, particularly in the field of sports. Mushett initially worked as a consultant for Turnstone’s Plassman Athletic Center before becoming CEO after the previous leader retired.
Turnstone’s Legacy
Mike Mushett, CEO
Working at Turnstone has been a unique opportunity to leverage my lifelong passion for empowering individuals with disabilities, and it has truly become the pinnacle of my career.
During my tenure, our team has built on the incredible work that came before us to more than double the number of clients served annually, from approximately 2,300 to over 4,600, and significantly increased our budget from $3.8 million to $9.5 million, thanks to our dedicated team and our incredibly generous community. We are proud to be one of only nine Olympic and Paralympic Training Sites in the nation. We’ve transformed Turnstone from a "best-kept secret" into a deeply engaged community partner, promoting universal design and accessibility throughout Fort Wayne.
My advice to leaders is simple yet impactful: lead by example. Step out of your office, listen to staff and clients, and remember that every role is essential. Build a smart team, empower them, and foster an environment of continuous innovation and stability. Collaboration is crucial; our success depends on strong partnerships. This is how we’ve cultivated success at Turnstone.
I have always aimed to lead with innovation, humility, and sustainability—values that have helped Turnstone remain financially stable, well-staffed, and adaptable. Whether under my leadership or the next, I look forward to Turnstone establishing satellite operations to better assist those facing transportation challenges, securing continuous funding, and embracing impact investing.
When we view disability as part of the human experience and build a culture that embraces it, we create opportunities and strengthen our community.