Julie Turner traces her path to nonprofit leadership back to a childhood rooted in service. After exploring fields from psychology to education—and spending 17 years in the classroom—she found her calling in work that blends creativity with real-world impact. Today, Turner serves as president and CEO of United Services for Children, leading efforts to support children with delays and disabilities and their families.
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Organization: United Services for Children
Title: President and CEO
Age: 59
Hometown: Williamston, Michigan
Education: Hope College – BA; Michigan State University – MA; UM-St. Louis – PhD
Interests / Hobbies: Community volunteering, pickleball, golf, anything active outdoors, creativity in general, travel, outings with my friends and (now adult) daughters.
What motivated you to get involved in this work/community/activity? I’m deeply motivated by purposeful work — and I was fortunate to be raised in a family where giving back and caring for others wasn’t just encouraged, it was modeled. That foundation never left me. Like many in my generation, I didn’t set out with a straight-line career plan — I followed my curiosity through psychology, sociology, religion, and education, and discovered that nonprofit work was the place where all of those threads came together. It gave me room to be innovative, creative, and make a tangible difference in people’s lives. After 17 years shaping the next generation of nonprofit leaders as a professor, I found myself eager to get back into the field — to trade the classroom for the community. When the opportunity to serve as President & CEO of United Services for Children presented itself, it felt less like a job offer and more like an answered prayer. I don’t take that lightly. Every day I get to lead this organization is a gift, and the children and families we serve remind me exactly why this work matters.
What values or principles guide how you show up in this role/community? At the core of everything is a simple but profound belief: every person has intrinsic value and deserves the opportunity to live their best possible life. That conviction isn’t abstract for me: it shows up in every decision I make, every partnership I pursue, and every child we welcome through our doors. My faith is central to this. It grounds me in humility, calls me toward service, and reminds me that this work is bigger than any one person or organization. It’s also what keeps me anchored when the work is hard. Beyond that, I’m guided by a commitment to equity, ensuring that a family’s zip code or income level never determines the quality of care their child receives. And I believe deeply in the power of community. No organization changes lives alone. It takes relationships, trust, and a shared sense of responsibility for one another to make lasting impact.
What’s the most enjoyable aspect? Working with a very talented, hard-working, mission-focused team. Also seeing the impact we make each and every day and knowing how much more we still want to accomplish in serving the needs of children with delays and disabilities (and their families).
Can you briefly share a few standout memories? In my relatively short time here, there have already been so many standout moments, which tells me everything about this organization and community. Celebrating our 50th year of service was truly special. We marked the milestone with a historical timeline display and a digital exhibit on the history of disability services; a meaningful reminder of how far the field has come and the legacy we’re honored to carry forward. That same year, we hosted our inaugural Neurodiversity Conference, bringing together families, clinicians, and advocates in a way that felt both overdue and electric. But perhaps the most exciting memory in the making is our Inclusion Gallery: a universally designed, accessible indoor playground being built for children with and without disabilities. Watching that vision move from concept to reality has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. And quietly, behind the scenes, the internal focus groups and needs assessments we’ve conducted have been just as meaningful—because they signal that we’re not just celebrating where we’ve been, we’re actively and thoughtfully shaping what comes next.
Can you share an insight about this role that most people don’t know? Leading a mission-driven organization means the work is never just professional — it’s deeply personal. Every strategic decision connects directly to a child’s future. That’s a responsibility I carry with me, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What’s one key piece of advice you’ve embraced? “It doesn’t have to all be done RIGHT now.”
What’s the greatest challenge? Balancing the urgency of unmet need with the realities of sustainable funding—every child on our waitlist represents both our greatest challenge and our deepest motivation.
Where do you find inspiration? Hands down, the children we serve. Witnessing their courage, their breakthroughs, and the gains they make (often against real odds) is profoundly humbling. And equally inspiring is the peace I see wash over their caretakers when they realize they don’t have to navigate this journey alone. That we are here, walking alongside them — that never gets old. It’s the reminder I need on even the hardest days.
What are your future plans or ambitions? My ambition is both simple and expansive: to ensure that every child in our region who needs therapeutic support can access it — regardless of diagnosis, income, or geography. That means growing our reach, deepening community partnerships, and continuing to innovate in how we deliver care. The Inclusion Gallery is one step, a tangible expression of our belief that belonging is a birthright, not a privilege. But beyond any single project or milestone, my deepest ambition is to leave United Services for Children so firmly woven into the fabric of this community that its impact is felt for the next 50 years and beyond, stronger, more sustainable, and more innovative than I found it. More children should know what it feels like to be supported, seen, and celebrated here. That’s what drives me, and that’s the future I’m working toward every day.
