Sullivan joined the Department of Correction in 1992 as a social research assistant, working on the substance abuse evaluation grant with the Office of Research and Planning. In 1994, she became a social research associate with the Criminal Justice Partnership Program. She rejoined the Office of Research and Planning in 1996 as a correctional planner working on the correction Futures project.

Sullivan is a native of Washington, D.C. She graduated from Emory University in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in political science and history. She received a master's degree in public policy from Duke University in 1991. While at Duke, she worked at the Federal Correctional Institution at Butner and developed an interest in correctional issues.