User:Rhonda Staudt

Rhonda Staudt

Early Years; Rhonda Staudt (born Rhonda Letrice Preston: July 20, 1958) is an American philanthropist who co-founded Shirley Ann Sullivan Educational Foundation(SASEF)in 2001. 

Rhonda Staudt, began her young journey in Arkansas City, Kansas. Her life as a military “brat” afforded her the benefits and pain of moving often and being educated throughout the world. Her mother passed away when she was just 10 years of age and Mrs. Staudt credits such organizations as the YMCA, Camp Fire Girls, ROTC and other such organizations with, while not replacing her mother’s love, giving her a strong commitment toward a productive future. Her college years at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas brought her back to her Kansas roots.

After college, Ms. Staudt lived in Germany for several years due to military involvement. In 1986 she moved to Atlanta and began a career in the private sector. While working for a large international organization, Ms. Staudt generated millions of dollars in revenue for her employers, but didn’t feel the satisfaction that came from such efforts.

She maintained voluntary involvement with several international organizations and subsequently met and married Herbert Staudt who serves with the German State Department. During their time in Berlin, Ms. Staudt began the rigorous efforts to form SASEF in a desire to improve the world around her. When the couple was relocated to Angola, Ms. Staudt founded her first project.

The Shirley Ann Sullivan Educational Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing life-changing opportunity to children throughout the world. This impressive organization was founded by Rhonda who knew early in her life that education was the key to freedom. Freedom from mediocrity, poverty, oppression, demoralizing negative self-esteem and, most importantly, freedom from living a non-productive life.