TAMPA, FL, October 06, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Michelle A. Turman, MA, CFRE, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Turman's distinguished career spans more than three decades, marked by leadership in the nonprofit and museum sectors, groundbreaking achievements in exploration and curation, and a commitment to advancing organizational excellence. In her current capacity as founder and chief executive officer of Catalyst Consulting Services Inc., based in Tampa since 2014, she has transformed the landscape of nonprofit management in many different organizations. Under her direction, the firm has facilitated services in executive search, organizational management, and fundraising for more than 125 nonprofit organizations, raising approximately $150 million and contributing nearly 100,000 volunteer hours. The company is recognized for its rigorous approach to C-suite placements, strategic planning, board training, and sustainable fundraising planning that move organizations beyond reliance on government grants, and multi-million dollar capital campaigns nationally.

Turman's decision to launch her company was informed by her experience leading a complex nonprofit merger, which revealed systemic gaps in hiring practices and infrastructure investments within the sector. She established the business with $5,000 in savings and no loans or debt, while her sons were still in middle school.

Concurrently with her primary role, Turman has also served as vice president and nonprofit advisor at Shumaker Advisors since 2023. Her expertise was further sought after as a nonprofit instructor and consultant partner for the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College from 2016 to 2024 and previously with the Nonprofit Leadership Center from 2015 to 2021. In these roles, she has educated emerging nonprofit leaders on best practices in governance, fundraising and organizational development.

Prior to founding Catalyst Consulting Services Inc., Turman was the vice president and chief operating officer at Lighthouse of Pinellas from 2011 to 2014, where she oversaw operations supporting individuals with visual impairment and blindness. For the preceding three years, she was vice president of development at Children's Home Society of Florida after serving in a similar role at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for two years, focused on expanding donor engagement, major gifts, and planned giving.

Turman's foundational years were rooted in the arts and museum field. She served as executive director and director of community relations at Gulf Coast Museum of Art from 2001 to 2009, managing exhibitions, educational programming and community partnerships. Concurrently, she contributed as an adjunct associate professor in the humanities at St. Petersburg College. Her curatorial expertise was honed as curator of collections and exhibitions for RMS Titanic Inc. from 1998 to 2001, a role that brought international recognition as she curated most of the Titanic exhibits seen worldwide and became the youngest female to dive to the Titanic in a submersible in 2000. This achievement earned her a place in the prestigious Explorer's Club in New York, an American-based international multidisciplinary professional society with the goal of promoting scientific exploration and field study. Earlier positions included registrar at Vero Beach Museum of Art Inc. from 1996 to 1998 and assistant registrar at the Museum of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg from 1993 to 1996.

Throughout her career, Turman has been actively involved with professional associations, such as the Explorers Club in New York and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at Florida State University. She is also a longstanding member of the University of South Florida Alumni Association and has held leadership roles within the Suncoast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals between 2003 and 2018.

Turman's academic credentials include a Master of Arts in art history from the University of South Florida, summa cum laude, earned in 2000, and a Bachelor of Arts in humanities from Florida State University, magna cum laude, completed in 1995. Her studies also included immersive experiences abroad in Italy and Paris that shaped her global perspective on art, culture and philanthropy.

Beyond her degrees, Turman is a certified fundraising executive with CFRE International and a professional fundraising consultant designation from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She also holds a Florida volunteer management certification from Points of Light.

Overall, Turman credits her success to her relationship-building skills — an ability that has enabled her to sustain a long career across diverse sectors — and considers placing executives who can drive meaningful change among her most rewarding contributions.

Involved in her community, Turman's civic engagement spans higher education, the arts, health and nonprofit leadership. She serves on the University of South Florida (USF) Foundation board and chairs the College of Arts & Sciences Dean Advisory Board. She is also a board and executive committee member of the Network of Nonprofit Search Consultants. Her past service includes board roles with Donate Life America, the Hillsborough County Arts Council, Cultural Assets Commission of Hillsborough County, USF's Women Leadership & Philanthropy, and the South Tampa YMCA.

Turman's thought leadership extends into publishing and media appearances. She authored "Jumping the Queue: Achieving Great Things Before You Are Ready" through Catalyst Consulting Services, LLC in 2017, a book inspired by her Titanic experiences that offers guidance on building confidence, finding mentors and pursuing ambitious goals. Dedicated to her sons, she later narrated it for Audible herself to ensure authenticity for listeners. Her writing also includes "How to Expand Your Professional Network Through Volunteerism," published by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine in 2019. She has been featured in multiple interviews with CNN regarding Titanic expeditions.

In recognition of her work, Turman has received numerous honors over the years. Most recently, she earned the USF Fast 56 Award in 2025 and was named an Apogee Award Finalist for Founder by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine in 2024. The State of Florida also recognized her with the Governor's Faith and Community Initiative Certificate of Recognition. Earlier accolades include being named an Inspiring Women in Business by Tampa Bay Metro in 2019, an Outstanding Business Leader of the Year by the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce in 2018 and a Business Woman of the Year Finalist by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2017, among others.

Born in Bradenton, Turman is especially proud that she financed her education through work while she was studying full-time and repaid all student loans independently before completing both degrees while already employed full-time during her graduate studies. While being one of only thirteen women ever to dive to the Titanic remains historic, she values her educational journey and entrepreneurial accomplishments most highly.

Looking ahead, Turman is dedicated to mentoring future leaders through service on boards at her alma maters and supporting educational opportunities for others.

Turman is married and the mother of two sons who have followed her example by volunteering for nonprofits throughout their academic careers.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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