Yolanda Sullivan to be Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at Birmingham Women’s Summit

Yolanda Sullivan to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Birmingham Women’s Summit

Birmingham, AL – A distinguished leader in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, Yolanda Sullivan has been selected as the recipient of this year’s Odessa Woolfolk Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made an exceptional impact on the community, and Sullivan will be honored at the annual Birmingham Business Journal’s Women’s Summit on September 27.

Sullivan, who recently retired, spent four years at the helm of the YWCA of Central Alabama. Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, she dedicated 30 years to Vulcan Materials Co., where she excelled in finance and corporate human resources.

A Rewarding Career

In an interview, Sullivan reflected on her career, noting that the moments that stuck with her were not about specific achievements but rather the gratitude expressed by those she helped. “It isn’t one instance, but a collection of moments when others confide that ‘I helped them’ in some way,” she shared. “Honestly, I remember few details, but it never ceases to humble me to hear their gratitude.”

Pivotal Moments

Sullivan highlighted two pivotal moments in her career—the decision to transfer to Atlanta with Vulcan and the bittersweet moment of retiring at 55 after three decades with the company. Both decisions required careful consideration and brought significant changes to her professional journey. “The opportunities created a well-roundedness that afforded me with a variety of positions, leadership roles, and lifelong friends,” she said.

A Nonprofit Impact

Shifting gears to the nonprofit sector was a fulfilling choice for Sullivan. “Searching for purpose has always been at the root of my life moves. Working with the YWCA filled that service-driven core that I inherited from my parents,” she explained. She expressed a deep connection to the children she encountered through her work, acknowledging the challenges they faced. “Helping one family survive gave us the strength to help the next family,” she noted.

Life After Retirement

Since stepping away from her career, Sullivan has focused on self-care and family responsibilities. After battling cancer for seven years starting in 2016, she emphasizes the importance of healing and support. She also cares for her son, Samuel, who has unique needs and requires assistance. Sullivan remains dedicated to her family, especially after losing her sister, who also fought cancer.

In addition to family care, she has continued her commitment to service through various volunteer roles with organizations like St. Francis of Assisi, Roosevelt City Neighborhood Revitalization Board, and Zonta International’s Birmingham Chapter.

Honoring Women in the Community

Receiving the Odessa Woolfolk Lifetime Achievement Award is a tremendous honor for Sullivan. “This is an honor and is truly humbling,” she stated. “Anything I have done that helps others is not I, but God who moves within me.” She attributes her drive for service to the values instilled in her by her family, reflecting on the shared blessings with her loved ones.

Past recipients of the award include Ann Florie, who served Leadership Birmingham for 14 years, and notable figures in the community such as Beth Franklin of Hand in Paw and Barb Godin, a former executive with Regions Bank.

The Birmingham Women’s Summit is expected to draw attention from community leaders and citizens alike, celebrating the achievements of women like Sullivan who have made significant contributions to the metro area.