🔒Design is conceptual-thinker Mary Jo Olenick’s passion

Principal, The S/L/A/M Collaborative

If you have ever walked the campuses at universities such as Notre Dame, Duke, Western Michigan, or Providence, chances are you've seen buildings planned and designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative, an architecture/planning firm that handles building projects from design through construction. The woman behind those projects – and so many – is Mary Jo Olenick.

Specializing in higher-education projects, Olenick says the focus on colleges and universities appeals to her natural curiosity.

“In higher ed, you get to learn beyond the designing of the buildings, to what those buildings will allow the institution to do,” she says. “You get to talk to the people who will actually learn, work and teach in those buildings.”

Olenick is known among her peers as an acknowledged industry leader who has been instrumental in the development of S/L/A/M's signature programming and planning methodology. A conceptual thinker, she works closely with key administrators and users to understand each project's unique needs, aligning space with institutional vision, and collaborating with the entire team to formulate the best possible design solution.

“In programming, I need to figure out how buildings need to perform. The number of rooms, functionality, other factors,” she says. “So I spend a lot of time with the end users, which makes my perspective a little different from the others.”

“Mary Jo's professionalism and talent have helped secure S/L/A/M's position as a leader in higher-education design,” says Bob Pulito, the firm's president. “She is a highly visible senior leader and is one of the most respected programming experts and planners in the country.”

In 1976, when Olenick first began her architecture training at Penn State, fewer than 3 percent of American architects were female. Today, according to the American Institute of Architects, that number is more than 20 percent. Olenick says the influx of women has changed the industry in positive ways.

“As a practice, when there were fewer women, it was less diverse. Men and women think in different ways, so when the kinds of people aren't diverse, the thinking is not as broad,” she says. “Also, women have advanced in all fields; there are more presidents of universities who are women, and more women in facilities departments. So the clients are more diverse too.”

Pulito agrees.

“In the old days, the personality of architects was fairly monolithic, partly because the field was dominated by men,” he says. “Mary Jo has been fearless and determined in her desire to be a leader and to have an impact not only on S/L/A/M, but on our profession.”

To that end, Olenick mentors women and other young professionals, which she says benefits her as well.

“It's so rewarding. The people I mentor know more than I did at their age; they have technology and tools we didn't have,” she says. “At the same time, they need to understand the whole process from design to an actual building. I know more of that from years of experience, that's just the nature of it. So the relationship is mutually gratifying.”

The philosophies Olenick shares with the women she mentors are those which have been instrumental in forging her own path.

“Be genuine and authentic, because that's how you add value. Participate, and behave like you have an impact,” she says. “Figure out how to do things, rather than why you shouldn't.”

Pulito says his colleague walks the talk when it comes to how she mentors her younger staff members.

“Mary Jo is authentic, which reinforces the idea that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all proposition,” he says. “She has used her uniqueness as an assessable, highly articulate, vibrant and extremely knowledgeable leader, which has differentiated her in the profession.”

A pioneer in her field, a mentor and a role model for women, Olenick has gained the respect of colleagues and clients, and is a recognized expert, thought leader and national speaker on project benchmarking and the latest educational design trends. Pulito says Olenick's passion is both infectious and impactful.

“Mary Jo is smart, fearless, and fun to work with,” he says. “She found a niche that leveraged her personality and skills, and then made it matter.”

What are your keys to …

Maintaining business success:

A key factor for success is continual growth. To compete on a high level, we need to not only stay ahead of industry trends but find ways to invent new ones. Architecture is a talent business where creativity is critical, which I am passionate about because I think it is the trait that defines us as human beings.

Maintaining work-life balance:

I maintain a work-life balance by working at the office (or on the road) and goofing off at home. I think it's easy for me because I love my work and I love goofing off. It's almost like having a split personality.

Keeping a competitive edge:

My philosophy about keeping a competitive edge is to keep moving. The design industry thrives on innovation — the best ideas usually win. Over the years, I have found that letting go of my very best ideas has forced me to invent new and better ones.

Who was an influential mentor in your professional life?

Dave Labau, the “L” in S/L/A/M, was a great mentor to me. He was so different than I was; a truly gracious gentleman with an amazing ability to make anyone feel good about themselves even for me back when I was a clumsy intern with no time for social graces.

Read about the other outstanding 2016 Women in Business.