About Shawn
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Shawn Sullivan – Host, Sullivan's Unheard Voices - Board Member, Autism Society of Oregon - Board Member, Branch of Peace Foundation
Shawn Sullivan is an award-winning author and disability advocate. Despite only landing three jobs from interviews, Shawn found employment in very unique ways. This led to divergent career paths including, managing the Office of Instruction for a state college, managing the technology infrastructure of a $2 million training facility, helping bring the first data center to Wenatchee, WA, created a jobs program for adults in the Rise Program, worked as a radio host and communication manager for two trade associations, and served as a Public Information Officer for the Washington State Senate supporting both political parties. Despite being told that he would not amount to much because of his native ancestry, he graduated high school. After struggling to find employment and not having the ability to live on his own for two years after high school, Shawn joined the U.S. Army. The military taught him structure, social skills and discipline, something his parents did not provide as a child. While serving his country he experienced an accident that left him with physical disabilities. When he returned from the military he went to college and against all odds graduated from Highline College with Honors. Shawn the proceeded to get his BA in writing and ultimately his Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington. Shawn began working for the State of Oregon in Child Welfare where he started the movement to have sensory rooms in all visitation areas in the state of Oregon. Shawn currently works as a trainer with the Oregon Eligibility Partnership and prides himself in representing autism to new state employees.