Brandon Sullivan

Brandon Sullivan is a Senior Lecturer in the Work and Organizations Department at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He also serves as the Senior Director of Leadership and Talent Development in the University's Office of Human Resources, bridging academic and organizational leadership.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2006)
• M.A. in Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (1998)
• B.A. in Political Science, Carleton College (1995)

Dr. Sullivan's research focuses on organizational behavior, vocational psychology, leadership, and talent development. His work explores how personality, self-efficacy, and social cognition influence career decisions, negotiation strategies, and workplace interactions. He integrates insights from psychology, sociology, and political science to understand effective human cooperation and individual differences in professional settings.

His recent publications span topics such as vocational behavior, meaning in life, negotiation confidence, and workplace stress. Collectively, these works reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach, combining psychological theory with practical applications in organizational development and career counseling.

Scientific Awards:

• Most Influential Paper Award, Conflict Management Division, Academy of Management (2010)
• Excellence in HR Practices Award, CUPA-HR, Midwest Region (2014)
• Strategic Priority Award, Target Corporation (2010)
• Organizational Effectiveness Leadership Award, Target Corporation (2010)
• Graduate Student Research Award, Society for Vocational Psychology, APA (2005)
• Graduate Student Research Competition Award, Association for Psychological Science (2002)

Dr. Sullivan has been actively involved in both academic and corporate leadership. His advising and grant activities are reflected in collaborative research projects, book editing, and leadership in talent development initiatives. He has co-edited scholarly volumes and published in top-tier journals, demonstrating sustained scholarly impact. His dual role enables him to translate research into real-world HR practices, particularly in leadership assessment and employee engagement.

He is associated with leadership and talent development teams within the University of Minnesota’s Human Resources division, contributing to strategic initiatives in organizational effectiveness, leadership training, and employee development.