Sullivan was educated at the Carleton University School of Journalism, and worked as a journalist and later as a public affairs consultant.
She was past director and vice-chair of Bird Studies Canada, chaired the Board of Directors of the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, patron of Sheridan College's Performing Arts program, and Commissioner and Acting Chair of the Commission on Election Finances in Ontario.
[citation needed] Sullivan lost her riding to PC candidate Terence Young in the provincial election of 1995.
[4] Sullivan attempted to return to the legislature in the 2003 provincial election but lost to Progressive Conservative incumbent Ted Chudleigh in the newly redistributed riding of Halton.
She served as working Chair of the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council in Ontario, and as a Director of Oaklands Regional Centre in Oakville.