SHARON LECHTER

A life-long education advocate, Sharon Lechter is the founder of Pay Your Family First, a financial education organization, and YOUTHpreneur, an innovative new way to spark the entrepreneurial spirit in our children.

In 2008 Sharon was appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. She and the 15 other members of the council, selectively appointed by President Bush, continue to serve President Obama and advise him on the need for financial literacy education.

Sharon is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, educator, international speaker, licensed CPA and mother. She has been a pioneer in developing new technologies to bring education into children’s lives in ways that are innovative, challenging and fun, and remains committed to education – particularly financial literacy. In 1989 she joined forces with the inventor of the first electronic 'talking book' and helped him expand the electronic book industry to a multi-million dollar international market. Since 1992, she has dedicated her professional life and directed her entrepreneurial efforts in the creation and distribution of financial education books, games and other experiential learning products.

Each year, in cooperation with the Women’s Presidents Organization, Sharon holds an event across the country to teach young girls financial lessons through interactive games. In 2009 this event launched her new financial literacy board game THRIVE TIME for Teens, an innovative experiential and fun life and money reality game.

Sharon has authored Think and Grow Rich – Three Feet From Gold in cooperation with the Napoleon Hill Foundation and Greg Reid which was released in October 2009. Future projects with the Napoleon Hill Foundation include Think and Grow Rich titles for Women and Children.

Sharon is also known world-wide as the co-author of the international best-selling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad and the Rich Dad series of books. During her 10 years with the Rich Dad Company, it grew into an international powerhouse with over 20 books, board games, Web sites, CDs, audio cassettes and seminars. Rich Dad, Poor Dad has been on The New York Times Best Sellers List for over six and a half years and is available in over 50 languages and sold in more than 108 countries. More than 27 million Rich Dad books have been sold around the world.

A committed philanthropist, Sharon also gives back to world communities as both a volunteer and benefactor. In October of 2009, Sharon received the Humanitarian Award from the Caring Institute. Also in October, she was asked to become a member of the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission, an eighteen-member group which works to increase awareness of the importance of financial literacy education, promote financial literacy efforts involving CPAs and serve as the primary spokespeople for the CPA profession’s financial literacy efforts, 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy and Feed the Pig.

She is a member of the Business Advisory Council for the Attorney General of the State of Arizona. Sharon also serves on the national board of the Women Presidents’ Organization, and the national board of Childhelp, a national organization founded to prevent and treat child abuse.

In 2002, Childhelp honored Sharon and her husband, Michael, as recipients of the Spirit of the Children Award. In 2004, Sharon and Michael were recognized as an Arizona “Power Couple,” and Sharon was also named as a 2005 Woman of Distinction by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.

Sharon graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors from Florida State University with a degree in accounting, then joined the ranks of a Big Eight accounting firm. Sharon has held various management positions with computer, insurance, and publishing companies while maintaining her professional credentials as a Wisconsin CPA, and a member of the AICPA. For the last 20 years, she has been an entrepreneur dedicated to financial literacy.

CONTACT INFO:

Sharon Lechter
Founder and CEO
Pay Your Family First
6611 N. 64th Place
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
480-607-1940 office
480-607-1923 fax
sharon@slechter.com
www.slechter.com
www.payyourfamilyfirst.com
www.threefeetaway.com

 

Close Window