Michael Sullivan - Director of Education
Michael Sullivan is the director of education for Take Charge America. In his role, he oversees all educational components of the organization, including client education and training. He is in charge of developing classroom and computer-based programs to assist individuals in reaching their goal of financial independence. Sullivan also is the author of the “Budget Doctor” articles for Take Charge America, in which he provides tips and advice on how to manage finances and remain debt-free. In addition, Sullivan sits on the board of advisors for the Take Charge America Institute, an organization that works to improve consumer financial well-being through research and outreach programs, located at the University of Arizona.
Prior to joining Take Charge America, Sullivan was executive director and chief executive officer of the Agency for Instructional Technology (AIT), a non-profit U.S.-Canadian education organization, which develops, produces, acquires and distributes educational materials. Sullivan joined AIT in July 1990, having served as director of strategic planning at UNISYS Corporation in Bluebell, Pa., since 1987. Previous to his employment with UNISYS, he was assistant state superintendent for instructional technology in Maryland. There, he directed the selection, production and distribution of all instructional materials to schools, established the Maryland Educational Technology Network, and directed the state education foundation.
Sullivan has authored many publications throughout his career. He edited and contributed chapters to Taking Charge of Your Personal Finances, co-authored the Maryland Education Technology Network Resource Book for the Maryland State Department of Education and published articles in business journals including Arizona Business. His writings have also been featured in educational works such as The Education Media and Technology Yearbook, Executive Educator, the American School Board Journal, CURRENT, Technos Quarterly and Educational Leadership, among others.
Sullivan routinely offers his expertise in financial education and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs with CNN, Fox Business, all local television stations and KTAR-FM radio. He also has been interviewed by and quoted in many magazines and newspapers including the New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, Arizona Republic and Kiplinger’s. During 2006 and 2007, Sullivan was the host of “The Budget Doctor,” a financial education show, on KNFX-AM radio in Phoenix.
Sullivan currently serves as the president of the Arizona Jumpstart Coalition, a non-profit organization that encourages curriculum enrichment to ensure that children receive basic financial management skills during their K-12 educational experience. He also has acted as a juror for the International Educational Program Contest, a coveted Japanese prize sponsored by NHK-Japan Broadcasting Corporation.
Additionally, Sullivan was a reader/reviewer for the New American Schools Development Corporation national design competition for innovative projects and a member of the Mount Vernon Conference of the American Association of School Administrators, where he developed Preparing Schools and School Systems for the 21st Century. In addition, Sullivan served as a member of the Advisory Council on Dependents Education for the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree in English and speech from Bowling Green State University. He also holds a master’s degree in curriculum development from Wright University, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech.