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STL Leaders Speak Out

 

What qualities do you expect to see in a highly effective leader?

When I think about highly effective leaders and those that I have known, I see a couple of things. One, a compassion and interest in other people. I think that you have to be a good listener. You have to really want to understand and connect with people to lead them. I think it take a certain amount of courage to be a leader. You have to willing to put yourself out there, say the unpopular thing or make the decision that nobody else is willing to make sometimes. I think you have to be willing to not have it be about you. It is about the people you are leading and the mission that you have. That’s what the focus is. It’s not about you or being right or popular.-Wendy Sullivan (50 sec.)  
   

Wendy Sullivan
President,
Life Skills
Class of 2002-2003

 
   
Wendy Sullivan has over 30 years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities.

Sullivan graduated from Fontbonne University in 1981 and began her career as a special education teacher. She joined Life Skills in 1982 working directly with people with developmental disabilities in the community living program. Sullivan was named president in 1997.

Sullivan is involved in statewide and national advocacy organization to further the Life Skills mission including past chair of the board of directors of the Missouri Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and founding chair of the Missouri Coalition of Developmental Disabilities. She served on the Governor’s Mental Health Task Force to reform developmental disabilities services in 2006. In 2011, Sullivan was appointed by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay to serve on the city’s Office of the Disabled Advisory Board. She also participates in community organizations such as Leadership St. Louis, class of 2002-2003, Midwest Bank Advisory Board and she serves on the board of directors of L’Arche USA, a faith-based organization serving people with developmental disabilities.
 

 
 

 

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