“I have witnessed the incredible impact of Catholic education and am committed to making a Catholic education a reality for all who seek it.”
A passion for Catholic education led Tricia Sullivan to a position working for Seeds of Hope this past year. A desire to do even more for low-income families led her to apply for the Executive Director position upon the departure of former Executive Director Jay Clark.
Sullivan is no stranger to Seeds of Hope, even before joining the team there. Tricia had volunteered with the organization for over 15 years. “I believe that the last 10 months of working at Seeds of Hope was a blessing to me and has cemented by passion for Catholic education. By working directly with many of our families, I came to understand the important role we play. When the position opened, I prayed on it and knew that this is what I was meant to do. I feel very honored to be in the role of Executive Director.”
Tricia understands first-hand the impact that a scholarship can have on a person’s life. She was raised in a family of eight where love for the richness and the beauty of our Catholic faith was fostered. But the family suffered through financial hardships that made the dream of a college education seem unattainable. Tricia was advised by counselors and family friends to keep her focus on attending college by involvement in community service, academics and sports. This drive to realize her dream was rewarded when she received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Iowa and graduated with a degree in Finance. She fully appreciates that the Seeds of Hope mission of providing low-income families with scholarships to break the cycle of poverty will change their lives forever.
“The families that participate in our programs are heroes,” says Sullivan. “I am always amazed at the sacrifice they make to ensure that their children receive a Catholic education. These stories inspire me and our entire staff to work hard to impact even more families. We are proud to partner with them in protecting God’s children and helping their children attain their dreams.”
Tricia says she has big goals for the future of the organization. “My primary goal is to help even more families attain a Catholic education. This will require that we find ways to raise additional funds for our scholarships and improve our partnerships with our Catholic schools to better understand their needs as well as the needs of their families.”
None of the work at Seeds of Hope could be accomplished without generous donors, says Sullivan. “At Seeds of Hope we are inspired and blessed with a community of amazing donors who help make a difference in the lives of God’s children.”
An active member of the Catholic Church and community throughout her life, Sullivan continues to be involved in several Catholic organizations, including Legatus, of which she and her husband Bill have been members for 16 years. During her time in Legatus, Tricia served as Membership Director for three years. She has also been involved with St. Thomas More Parish and School, Regis Jesuit High School, ENDOW, Catholic Charities and various bible studies. Tricia and her husband, Bill, have four children, three of whom are in college and the fourth is a junior at Regis Jesuit High School.