Sharon Harakal Macko graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a secondary education degree. She taught Spanish for one year and began her twenty-five plus year career with JWU. She has been an active member of the American Culinary Federation for 20 years and has served in various capacities in her local chapter, including chapter secretary, public relations director, and is currently serving as newsletter editor. In 2001 she was voted Professional of the Year. She also serves on the advisory boards of several technical schools, and is a member of the Speakers Bureau for the Boy Scouts of America Career Awareness program.