SHARON LECHTER

A life-long education advocate, Sharon Lechter is the co-author of the international best-selling book Rich Dad Poor Dad and the Rich Dad series of books, as well as one of the founders of the Rich Dad companies and inventor of the CASHFLOW for Kids board game. She is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, educator, CPA, international speaker and mother.

Sharon 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.

"Our current educational system has not been able to keep pace with the global and technological changes in the world today," Sharon says. "We must teach our young people the skills – both scholastic and financial – that they need to, not only survive, but flourish in the world."

During Sharon’s 11 years with the Rich Dad companies, they have grown 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 years and is available in over 50 languages and sold in more than 108 countries.

In 2007, Sharon left the managerial board of The Rich Dad Company to pursue focused work on financial education for children and families, as well as to continue work on improving our nation’s educational system.

Sharon travels nationally and internationally to speak on a range of topics from educating children and adults on taking control of their personal finances to the entrepreneurial business strategies she used in building Rich Dad’s international success. She shares the spectacular history of the mega-hit and how Rich Dad Poor Dad was originally designed to be a brochure for the CASHFLOW board game.

“Sharon’s passion for entrepreneurship is matched by her dedication to education,” says Mary Lou Bessette, a longtime business leader and executive director of strategic initiatives at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. “Her personal mission is to instill financial literacy worldwide. Sharon's writings and leadership, especially with women and children, demonstrate that she is uniquely positioned to change the world through education.”

A committed philanthropist, Sharon also gives back to world communities as both a volunteer and benefactor. On January 22nd, 2008, Sharon was appointed by President Bush to the President’s Council on Financial Literacy, to a two year term. She is a member of the Business Advisory Council for the Attorney General of the State of Arizona. She serves on the Dean’s Council 100 of the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and is also a member of the advisory Board of the Spirit of Enterprise at the W.P. Carey School of Business, is an active member of Women’s Presidents Organization and serves on 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 (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).
 

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