Mike Dusold - Nobody Can Take Your Story Away: Faithful Leadership That Builds Hope

If you meet Mike Dusold, a member of the Life Center Board of Directors, you'll notice his steady presence before you hear his story. There is a quiet confidence about him—one built not on accolades but on decades of faithfulness. Mike has been married to his wife, Connie, for 49 years, is the proud father of four, and a joyful grandfather of eleven. Family is central to his life, grounding everything he does.

Mike has spent over 32 years helping people make smart financial decisions with care and wisdom. After earning his bachelor's degree and MBA from the University of Cincinnati and teaching finance at Miami University, he started Dusold Financial Services in 1999 with one main goal: to positively impact people's lives. Now, his son Kevin works alongside him—something Mike considers one of the greatest honors of his career.

Mike was initially attracted to the Life Center because of relationships with leaders he deeply admired. However, what kept him committed was his direct experience. "Every interaction reinforces that God is making a positive difference here," Mike says. "It's incredibly encouraging to be part of a ministry where lives are truly being changed." For Mike, the Life Center symbolizes faith in action—God working through people to address real needs.

One of the most profound influences in Mike's life has been his late son, Brian. Brian faced struggles much greater than his own, and through those challenges, he taught Mike how to see people in hardship the way God does: as beloved children, deserving of dignity, love, and hospitality. That lesson now shapes how Mike serves on the Life Center board, welcomes guests, supports his clients, and loves his family.

A mentor once shared a simple but powerful truth with Mike: "Nobody can take your story away." Over time, Mike realized how transformative that idea can be. By openly sharing his own experiences—including loss, struggle, and failure—he has seen how stories can build bridges and inspire hope. This belief aligns deeply with the Life Center's mission, which encourages guests not to be defined by their past but to see how God can redeem it.

At 68, Mike would tell his younger self to let go of perfectionism, worry less about the uncertain future, and value daily connections—a conversation, a shared laugh, a small act of kindness. That outlook was reinforced during a pivotal conversation in 2024 with Tom Synan, a leader working on substance use disorder in Hamilton County. That unexpected two-hour talk opened new opportunities for Mike to share Brian's story more broadly and offer comfort to others on similar journeys.

When Mike meets a guest at the Life Center, he doesn't see a problem to solve. He sees potential—powered by a God who loves deeply and supported by people willing to walk alongside them.

Mike's story embodies the core of the Life Center: leadership grounded in faith, compassion shown through action, and transformation enabled by love and kindness. The Life Center remains strong because leaders like Mike guide it.

If this story inspired you, consider getting involved. Volunteer, donate, or walk alongside someone struggling as they discover purpose, build skills, and take next steps toward stability. Together, we can empower anyone who needs the support to grow.