Sharon is a founding member of Clear Thoughts Foundation (CTF). Her interest in CTF stems from both professional and personal experience. A 1991 graduate of The University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing, she found that her greatest passion was in the field of mental health. Starting her career at Mercy Psychiatric Institute, working with adolescents with mental health issues and illness, she expanded her career in 1993 by accepting a position as a nurse clinician in the Psychiatric Emergency Services at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In the year 2000, Sharon left Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic having risen to the position of Clinical Administrator of Psychiatric Emergency Services.

The decision to leave healthcare was a difficult one, but she did so to start a new chapter in her life as she joined forces with her husband to form Sippel Development Co., Inc. Sippel Development is a site development company that specializes in large scale commercial, industrial and retail development. Sharon serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary and Treasurer.

Sharon is married to Douglas Sippel and is the very proud mother of three children, Spencer, Tyler and Ella. She is a parishioner at Saint John and Paul Catholic Church in Franklin Park. Sharon is an active supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.