meet Matt Sullivan
MEET MATT SULLIVAN
Hi I’m Matt. As Managing Director & Speaker for Presentelligence, I am looking to draw from my years of experience in software training, support, marketing and sales to help individuals and organizations to improve and optimize their presentation capabilities. From formal presentations and product demonstrations to less formal settings, there are myriad tools and techniques that can be used to ensure you get maximum impact from your message, and I’m here to help.
More about Matt
I jumped at the opportunity and never looked back.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, I went to college in San Diego to secure a degree in Business Administration with a specialty in Finance. Joining a professional business fraternity while in school gave me my first taste of leadership, and the need for effective communication when I rose to President of the local chapter.
After graduation, my first career job was in Finance and Project Management for a defense contractor who made satellites in Mountain View, CA just down the street from what is now Google’s HQ.
I then found my way to the software industry where I was involved in QA, Customer Support and Training before they realized that I was good in front of customers and suggested I move to Sales. Having never considered a career in Sales before this, I jumped at the opportunity and never looked back.
Crafting exceptional presentations is a skill refined over time, ensuring a positive experience for both speaker and audience.
I am passionate about communication, business and personal. Words matter, and the ability to choose the right words delivered with the right pace and tone is a skill that I admire in others and strive for personally.
Early in my career I found myself in the uncomfortable position of giving many presentations, initially as a part of the training and support organizations of a software company, and eventually as I transitioned into sales roles for the balance of my career. Overcoming the fears of public speaking did not initially come easy for me. Nerves, the sweats, shaking hands, I had all of it – but I didn’t give up. Eventually I learned to channel all of that energy into my presentations and became known for my presentation skills.
demystifying public speaking
I enjoy helping people overcome the challenges of public speaking.
Over my sales career I have performed a number of roles including Sales Engineering, Direct Sales, Sales Management and Business Development. In these roles I enjoyed my greatest successes when interacting directly with customers and prospects and solving business problems with technology solutions. I have traveled over 1 million miles in my career and estimate that I’ve given over one-thousand presentations and have presented to groups as large as 500 and as small as 5.
I am an introverted person and enjoy my time to myself, but can rise to my extroverted side when necessary. Standing in front of a group to speak did not come easy for me initially, and I battled nerves for a few years until I felt comfortable in my skin as a presenter.
I realize that public speaking is not easy for many and I enjoy opening up their world to the rewards that public speaking brings. I take great appreciation in those who take the time to be high-quality communicators, both in and out of business.
In my younger days I enjoyed some skydiving – there is nothing like the first time you jump out of an airplane – and flying small Cessna 152’s around New England. My business career had me in the air often, flying over one million miles with Delta alone.
I first discovered mountain biking when I lived outside of Boston in the 90’s – they’ve got fantastic trails in New England – and even took my bike to ride high in the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe. These days road cycling has become my passion, having logged over 27,000 miles in recent years and climbed over 1.4 million feet of elevation. Group rides are the perfect form of social exercise where we can get in a hard 35 miles in a summer evening ride, but have a blast doing it.
I have 3 grown sons who are a Fireman, a Sailor and a Classical/Jazz Musician and am thrilled that they have all found a lane that they love.
What is Presentelligence?
