Books, Essays + More
A curated selection of books, articles, awards, press features, invited presentations, and keynotes
A Thought Leader in Storytelling, Science, and Society
Heidi O. Rées is an award-winning author, journalist, and speaker whose work illuminates the intersections of science, society, and human experience. As the founder and chief executive of Pretty Brainy, she has championed the next generation of female innovators by making STEM education accessible, engaging, and purpose-driven. Her published works, thought-provoking essays, and keynote presentations challenge assumptions, spark curiosity, and invite audiences to see the world — and themselves — with new clarity.
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Books
Olinger, Heidi A. Leonardo’s Science Workshop. Beverly, MA: Quarto Publishing Group, 2019.
Olinger, Heidi A. Fashionably Mashed: The STEM of Fashion Design. Fort Collins, CO: Pretty Brainy Press, 2013.
Olinger, Heidi A. Fashionably Mashed: The STEM of Fashion Design, Teacher’s Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Pretty Brainy Press, 2013.
Book Chapter
Olinger, Heidi A. “Users’ Stories: Online Dating & Doing Business Online Share a Few Sins.”
Chapter 5 in The Virtual Executive, by D.A. Benton. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.
Articles + Essays
Olinger, Heidi A. "Critical Thinking, Critical Making: Conductive Stickers & the Design Notebook." Collage, the Journal of the Colorado Art Education Association, October 2015, pp. 25-29.
Olinger, Heidi A. "The Design Notebook as STEAM Learning Tool." STEAMed, June 2015.
Olinger, Heidi A. "Redesigning Fashion Design: From Tween Distraction to STEM Focus." Edutopia, the George Lucas Educational Foundation, Aug. 7, 2014.
Read hereOlinger, Heidi A. "To Help Students Learn, Appeal to What They Value." Edutopia, the George Lucas Educational Foundation, Jan. 15, 2014.
Read hereOlinger, Heidi A. "The Success of Learning to Fail: Girls, STEM, and the Curse of Perfection." Nothing But Good News, Nov. 2013, pp. 44-45.
Olinger, Heidi A. “Everyday Lessons for Your Tween Daughter: How Your Attitude Prepares Her for Life.” Gaiam Life, Aug. 2010.
Journalism
Olinger, Heidi A. “Young Entrepreneurs.” Colorado Company Magazine, July-Aug. 2004, pp. 14-19.
Olinger, Heidi A. “The Business of Sports.” Colorado Company Magazine, May-June 2004, pp. 14-19.
Olinger, Heidi A. “Venture Capital in the Rockies.” Colorado Company Magazine, May-June 2004, pp. 56-58.
Olinger, Heidi A. “Power to Lead.” Colorado Company Magazine, Mar.-Apr. 2004, pp. 42-46.
Olinger, Heidi A. “Denver Design Center: What’s New for Spring.” Sources & Design, Mar.-Apr. 2004, pp. 52-57.
Olinger, Heidi A. “Women and Philanthropy: The New Giving.” Zenith Woman Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 2003, pp. 5-6, 19.
Olinger, Heidi A. “Madam Politico: Female Candidates Add Heat to Denver Politics.” Zenith Woman Magazine, Mar.-Apr. 2003, pp. 5, 21, 26.
Olinger, Heidi A. “Respecting All People Is Business as Usual for Diversity Leaders.” The Denver Post, Nov. 13, 2000, pp. 1E-6E.
Interviews + Reviews
Following is a list of select news coverage of Leonardo’s Science Workshop and Pretty Brainy, Inc., showing coverage across media, including television, radio, university publications, newspaper, and technology journal.
Godkin, Celia. “Leonardo's Science Workshop: Invent, Create, and Make STEAM Projects Like a Genius (Leonardo's Workshop),” New York Journal of Books (Jan. 2019): https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/leonardos-science
The OtterCares Foundation. (2019, July 22). Impact Partnership: Pretty Brainy and the OtterCares Foundation [video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/o4v0YiO1eLk
Brown, Ariella. “Inspiring Girls with STEAM Power and the Model Renaissance Man.” Interesting Engineering, July 22, 2019. https://interestingengineering.com/culture/inspiring-girls-with-steam-power-and-the-model-renaissance-man. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
Department of Physics, College of Natural Sciences. “Physics Majors Mentor Others and Inspire Real World Change.” Colorado State University, February 2019. https://www.physics.colostate.edu/cns-announcement/physics-majors-mentor-others-and-inspire-real-world-change/. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
May, Cindy. “An Inspiring Woman on a Mission: Heidi Olinger” Cindy May Marketing (April 2018): https://www.cindymaymarketing.com/blog/woam-heidi-olinger
Colorado Women of Influence and Starstream Productions. (2017, July 19). Women of Influence, Interview with Award Winner Heidi Olinger. [video]. Watch Here.
White, Rob. “Lighting Project Promotes STEAM Fields, Community Service.” The Coloradoan, Feb. 19, 2015. http://www.coloradoan.com/story/life/2015/02/19/lighting-project-promotes-steam-education/23714669/. Retrieved Apr. 9, 2017.
“Girls Using Science, Math for Fashion.” TaRhonda Thomas interviews Pretty Brainy founder Heidi Olinger and STEM student Sadie Buggle. KUSA 9News Denver, Aug. 4, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpncqbuAseY. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2013.
Clothing as Communication.” Ryan Warner interviews Pretty Brainy founder Heidi Olinger. Colorado Matters, Colorado Public Radio. Denver, CO: KCFR, April 13, 2012. http://www.cpr.org/news/story/clothing-communication. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2013
Keynotes + Invited Talks
2024
Panelist, “Lunch with a Leader: A Heart for Helping,” Colorado Women of Influence, Fort Collins, CO
2022
Panelist, “Women Empowering Women,” Justice and Leadership Forum, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice, Loveland, CO
2021
Moderator, “The Art & Science of Design,” Innovating Minds Lecture Series, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2020
Moderator & Host, “Building Bridges to the Future,” with NASA astronaut Yvonne Kagel, MD, Women in Science Symposium, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2019
Moderator, “Fermentation Innovation,” Innovating Minds Lecture Series, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Speaker, “MISSion Innovation: Girls Innovate Real Life Situations,” Innovating Minds Lecture Series, Energy Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Panelist, “The Creative and Inspirational Side of Science and Math,” with Ira Flatow, Amy Leidtke, and Liv Buli, BookCon 2019: A Celebration of Storytelling, New York, NY
Presenter, “Three-Dimensional Drawing with Leonardo,” BookCon 2019 Workshop, New York, NY
2018
“STEAM and Service Learning as Keys to Retaining Girls in STEM Disciplines,” Noyce Scholars Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2017
Keynote, “Leaders Are Those Who Empower Others,” Colorado Women of Influence, Fort Collins, CO
“Girls in STEAM Leading and Learning from Where They Are,” Rotary International, Foothills Chapter, Fort Collins, CO
Keynote, “Girls in STEAM: Every Mistake Is Progress,” Hewlett-Packard Harmony Tech Camp for Girls, Fort Collins, CO
Keynote, “Girls Leading from Where They Are: What Every Girl Can Teach the World About Success,” National Charity League, San Diego, CA
2015
Keynote, “The Young & the Brilliant: Girls in STEAM Service Learning Making Their Community Bright,” Quid Novi Festival, Fort Collins, CO
“Building Strategic Alliances for STEM Learning,” Preston STEM Institutes Teacher Symposium, Fort Collins, CO
2014
TED Talk, “How to Get Girls to Like STEM,” TEDx Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
“Friday Nights Are for Soldering: A Report on Girls in Service Learning Through Engineering Design,” Rotary International Regional Conference, Fort Collins, CO
2010
“Women Trial Lawyers and Self-Confidence: Imparting It to Witnesses, Investing It in Our Daughters,” Women Trial Lawyers’ Network, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Denver, CO
Awards
inspire, motivate, move
Visionary organizations seek out Heidi to create profound transformations for their people. Click below to learn more about her customizable keynotes, something just right for you and your team.