Experience

Substack

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Writer

  • Nov 2023 - Present

  Minnesota I've worn many hats and acquired many scars as I've learned how to be better, not bitter, when life gets messy. My Substack newsletter, Choosing Better, offers readers a roadmap to living the better choice.



Bitter or Better: Grappling With Life on the Op-Ed Page, Winner, Midwest Book Award for Inspiration

• Award-Winning Author

  • Jun 2015 - Present

  Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area When I was eight years old my mother left my father for another man. Taking their seven children on a "vacation" they spirited us out of the country for a two-year getaway that was marked by deceit. That was the beginning of a rocky road. By age 25 I'd lived in more than a dozen homes, lost two parents to cancer and failed in my first marriage. Trials continued in my second marriage as we grappled with my son's autism, his dad's heart disease, his sister's rare blood disorder and my… Show more When I was eight years old my mother left my father for another man. Taking their seven children on a "vacation" they spirited us out of the country for a two-year getaway that was marked by deceit. That was the beginning of a rocky road. By age 25 I'd lived in more than a dozen homes, lost two parents to cancer and failed in my first marriage. Trials continued in my second marriage as we grappled with my son's autism, his dad's heart disease, his sister's rare blood disorder and my cancer. Heartache peaked in 2009 when I got a call from an ER doc who informed me that I was now a member of what I deemed the ''freakin' widows club." I flirted with bitterness. But my kids were watching and I wouldn't let them down. In a chance encounter with a priest in 2010 I was given counsel I consider a life-changing gift: Though you can't control what happens to you, you can control how you respond. You can be bitter or better, he said. With the BITTER OR BETTER framework as my guide I shifted from the "why" to the "how" of navigating my new life, drawing inspiration from others who overcame adversity. Encouraged by bestselling author Vince Flynn, the subject of several of my columns, I penned "Bitter or Better: Grappling with Life on the Op-Ed Page," which earned the Midwest Book Award for Inspiration. My story is intertwined with many I shared in the Pioneer Press. Show less



CMS Communication | www.carynmsullivan.com

• Inspirational Keynote Speaker

  • Oct 2009 - Present

  Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area Everyone finds themselves on their knees at some point in life. Will you be ready? How will you respond? MY WHY I've gone from surviving to thriving. There is a secret sauce and I find joy in sharing it with others. YOUR NEED We live life on a fast track, juggling professional and personal responsibilities. Occasionally we stop to consider the "what ifs" - what if I got cancer, what if my company downsized... and the "I shoulds" - I should establish guardianship for the… Show more Everyone finds themselves on their knees at some point in life. Will you be ready? How will you respond? MY WHY I've gone from surviving to thriving. There is a secret sauce and I find joy in sharing it with others. YOUR NEED We live life on a fast track, juggling professional and personal responsibilities. Occasionally we stop to consider the "what ifs" - what if I got cancer, what if my company downsized... and the "I shoulds" - I should establish guardianship for the kids, draft a will. But we don't act. Drawing upon my experience of dealing with unexpected change and loss (with no plan) I offer audiences a compelling rationale for shifting from procrastinator to planner - and share actionable steps to live one's best life. MY TOPICS ● Bitter or Better? Three Steps to Better ● From Procrastinator to Planner: A 4-Step PLAN for a Life Well Lived IDEAL AUDIENCES INCLUDE: ● Women’s leadership groups or organizations ● Healthcare: corporate wellness programs, leadership and staff training, survivors conferences ● Financial services organizations ● Law firms, small businesses ● Organizations that help people to cope with or better understand cancer, autism, grief or loss ● Nonprofit boards & teams MY AUDIENCES HAVE INCLUDED: Be The Match Ameriprise Financial National Sheriff’s Association Starkey Hearing Foundation ARC Greater Twin Cities Fraser TeamWomenMN Autism Society of Minnesota AARM MSSA Easton Utilities Rotary clubs Cornerstone Financial Solutions Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company Wisconsin Bar Association MN Association of Patient Representatives Camp Widow Capital City Grief Group Edina Chamber Networking Group New Sociables MN School Bus Operators Refine Conference Rediscovering U St. Thomas Academy SALT When adversity strikes will you be ready? How will you respond? Hire me and with my roadmap in hand, you'll have the tools you need to live the better choice. Show less



Alpha News

• Columnist

  • Apr 2022 - Nov 2022

  Minnesota



St. Paul Pioneer Press

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Columnist, Opinion Page

  • 2007 - Apr 2022

  Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area AWARD-WINNING COLUMNIST Only contributing columnist on the Opinion Page - In an era of negative news stories I offer uplifting content that informs, illuminates and inspires. I earned this spot by taking a chance and submitting an essay about autism in 2007 that garnered positive feedback from readers. I wrote another, then expanded topics. My portfolio includes hundreds of stories about finding the better way in and out of life's experiences. See carynmsullivan.com/writing… Show more AWARD-WINNING COLUMNIST Only contributing columnist on the Opinion Page - In an era of negative news stories I offer uplifting content that informs, illuminates and inspires. I earned this spot by taking a chance and submitting an essay about autism in 2007 that garnered positive feedback from readers. I wrote another, then expanded topics. My portfolio includes hundreds of stories about finding the better way in and out of life's experiences. See carynmsullivan.com/writing. Key Accomplishments: Won the ARC of Minnesota Community Excellence Award in 2008 for my column writing. Show less



Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Partner

  • 1992 - 1994

  Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area As a contract partner I was instrumental in developing and managing a national insurance coverage practice for St. Paul Companies.



St. Paul Companies

• Claims Attorney

  • 1988 - 1992

  I supervised high level claims involving securities violations, attorney malpractice, and bad faith. I was one of several attorneys who supervised the national staff attorney program.



Lommen Nelson Cole & Stageberg

• Attorney

  • 1985 - 1988

  I worked on civil litigation, principally malpractice defense, personal injury defense and insurance coverage disputes. I also served as assistant city attorney for the City of Prior Lake, handling misdemeanor criminal matters.