Lance Sullivan is a Columbus, Ohio native, former professional basketball player, youth development leader, and behavioral health executive dedicated to improving opportunities and outcomes for young people. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Noble Vision Behavioral Health (NVBH), a State-Certified and Nationally Accredited behavioral health agency providing residential care, clinical services, and community-based support for youth and families across Ohio.
Under Sullivan's leadership, Noble Vision Behavioral Health has established partnerships with multiple counties throughout Ohio, including Franklin County Children Services and Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), to provide residential behavioral health services for youth ages 11–17 placed in children services custody. His work focuses on building structured residential environments that combine clinical treatment, mentorship, education, life-skills development, and positive programming, helping youth stabilize, grow, and prepare for successful futures.
Sullivan began his work in behavioral health in 2014 while working at a state mental health facility, where he gained firsthand experience supporting individuals facing trauma and mental health challenges. From 2021 to 2024, he taught in the Sport, Fitness and Health Program at The Ohio State University, sharing principles of athletic development, leadership, and mentorship. During this time, he also collaborated with Juvenile Intervention Centers (JIC) to mentor incarcerated youth while they were in custody, emphasizing that mistakes do not define a person's future and that everyone deserves the opportunity for a second chance.
He also works closely with Ours Brothers Keepers (OBK), an impactful community organization that partners with Columbus City Schools to provide mentorship, guidance, and leadership development for youth across the community. Through this work, Sullivan continues to support programs that create positive pathways and opportunities for young people.
Before entering behavioral health leadership, Sullivan built a distinguished basketball career. At Columbus Africentric High School, he was an honor roll student, two-time All-City and All-State player, and First Team Dispatch All-Metro selection, serving as captain of Africentric's historic 2005 City & State Championship team capping off 25 stright wins and finishing with a remarkable 27–1 record.
Lance continued his collegiate basketball career on scholarship at Div II powerhouse Northwest Missouri State University, where he was named MIAA Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Conference, helping lead the team to a conference championship, a tournament championship 48-15 record appearance and two NCAA Tournament berths. In '09 Sullivan later earned All-American honors at Langston University (08-09). He capped off his college career at Rogers State University, where he set the single-season assist record (09-10).
In 2010, Sullivan signed a two-year professional contract in the Balkan League, playing for KK Mornar Bar in Montenegro, becoming the first professional basketball player from both Columbus Africentric High School and Rogers State University.
Following his playing career, Sullivan founded the Hoops By Nature Foundation, a basketball training and mentoring organization that has helped many Central Ohio athletes earn college scholarships while emphasizing leadership, discipline, and life preparation.
Today, Sullivan's primary focus is leading the continued growth of Noble Vision Behavioral Health and strengthening services for youth in need. The organization is committed to providing trauma-informed care, structured residential treatment, mentorship, education support, and life-skills programming designed to help youth build stability and independence.
Looking toward the future, Sullivan's vision for Noble Vision Behavioral Health includes expanding residential capacity, strengthening county partnerships throughout Ohio, and developing innovative youth wellness and creative opportunities that integrate behavioral health care, mentorship, workforce development, and positive recreation. His long-term goal is to help Noble Vision establish a national model for youth residential services, ensuring that young people facing difficult circumstances receive the support, structure, and opportunities needed to build brighter futures.