[photo credit: Eventbrite]
The Feb. 4 event features Olesniewicz, assistant superintendent of educational services for Claremont Unified School District, discussing mentorship for women in educational leadership.
An Ed.D. graduate with decades of experience in education, her senior leadership tenure coincided with cascading controversies testing district governance.
Between 2020 and 2023, while Olesniewicz served in leadership roles including seven months as interim superintendent during the pandemic, the district faced complaints over inequitable athletic facilities, an ongoing First Amendment lawsuit over canceled field trips, and a scandal resulting in criminal charges against the board president for allegedly exposing high school students to alcohol and inappropriate entertainment.
No evidence suggests Olesniewicz was involved in wrongdoing.
As assistant superintendent, she would not have had authority over many controversial decisions.
But the tumult provides stark context for her talk about care-centered leadership.
During her tenure as interim superintendent, the district committed to building equivalent softball and baseball facilities.
Months later, the board fired Superintendent Jeff Wilson after just over eight months, paying $296,818 in severance, then rehired the previous superintendent at $335,000 annually — sparking angry community accusations about transparency.
Despite these challenges, Olesniewicz founded PAW (Powerful Awesome Women), a “sister circle” bringing female administrators together monthly for mentorship and career advancement.
ACSA Region 15 Women’s Leadership Dinner will run on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at NOOR Event Space, 300 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 200, in Pasadena.NOOR Event Space, 300 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 200, in Pasadena. For more call (626) 793-4518 or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/acsa-region-15-womens-leadership-dinner-tickets-1979836090041. Tickets: $30.
