Her Story
About Rosemary
Rosemary Olender is an educational consultant, published author, speaker, and advocate for strengthening connections between families, educators, and communities. Based in Syracuse, New York, she is the founder of Olender Consulting, where she draws on more than five decades of experience in education, administration, and leadership to inspire meaningful change. With a career dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families, Rosemary specializes in parent-school relationships, inclusive educational practices, professional development, teacher mentoring, and proactive behavioral support systems.
Throughout her distinguished career, Rosemary served as a teacher, principal, and Director of Special Education, overseeing programs for thousands of students and leading initiatives focused on student success, collaboration, and compliance with education standards. After transitioning into consulting, she partnered with school districts across New York State to provide workshops, audits, and guidance on special education practices, family engagement, and effective educational strategies. She is the primary author of The School-Home Connection: Forging Positive Relationships with Parents (Corwin Publishing, 2010), a resource focused on building trust and collaboration between schools and families.
In 2025, Rosemary published her second book, Coffee and Wisdom: A Father's Legacy to Leading a Rich Life (Xlibris, 2025), sharing life lessons inspired by her father’s values and emphasizing that true wealth comes from character, relationships, resilience, and meaningful connections rather than material possessions. Through her consulting, speaking engagements, and intentional parenting programs, Rosemary continues to empower parents, educators, and leaders to create stronger relationships and foster emotional growth in children. Her work reflects her lifelong belief that education has the power to transform lives and that small moments of guidance, compassion, and connection can create lasting legacies.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rosemary
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the way I was raised by my father, who emphasized character, honesty, presence, and non-material gifts over money or things. The greatest legacy a parent can leave is who their child becomes, not material possessions. My father's belief that you can do anything you put your mind to, and that mistakes are opportunities to learn, has driven my resilience and ability to create change even when told it couldn't be done.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You have the power and ability to do anything if you put your mind to it and really want to do it. Do not stay stuck in situations that are not feeding your progress. Figure out a way to do something different. Mistakes are opportunities to learn what you did wrong or right. Assert yourself to opportunities and make them happen. Most of what I have done was in defiance of someone saying you can't do that.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The greatest opportunities today lie in embracing innovation, adapting to change, and continually developing new skills. Technology and digital transformation are creating possibilities across every industry, making lifelong learning more important than ever. There is also tremendous opportunity in building meaningful professional networks, sharing your expertise, mentoring future leaders, and collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Organizations increasingly recognize the value of inclusive leadership and diverse perspectives, creating new pathways for women to lead, influence decision-making, and drive meaningful change. By remaining open to new ideas, investing in personal growth, and lifting others along the way, individuals can expand both their influence and their impact.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values I hold most important are integrity, authenticity, empathy, professionalism, collaboration, and empowering others. I believe trust is earned through honesty, consistency, and accountability, and those principles guide every decision I make. Whether in my career or personal life, I strive to treat people with respect, listen with empathy, and create an environment where others feel valued and supported. I also believe in giving back by mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and encouraging people to recognize their own potential. Success is most meaningful when it creates opportunities for others to grow and succeed as well.
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