Rosemarie's Biography

Resume follows

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. is a powerful, internationally known speaker, trainer, consultant, writer, and publisher who walks her talk. On June 13, 1998 Rossetti’s life was transformed when a 3 1/2 ton tree came crushing down on her. Her life was changed in that instant! Paralyzed from the waist down with a spinal cord injury, Rossetti looked deep within herself and found new strength and new resolve. In her keynote speeches, she shares the lessons she has learned since that fateful day, and demonstrates how to rise above misfortune and live life with conviction.

Rossetti’s program “Just Like Riding A Bike: Coping with Change and Dealing with Adversity” is a transformational experience. Rossetti uses the lessons that she learned during her recovery to empower participants. She focuses on what motivates people to change their behavior, awaken their inner gifts, find meaning in their lives, and accomplish more to bring out the best in themselves. As a result of this program, participants will be revitalized and recharged. They will leave with restored hope, happiness and an improved vision of their future. Rossetti helps people achieve goals and take charge of their lives. She brings a positive attitude to life that touches all who hear her, with an emotive speaking style that makes audiences fall in love with her and rally to her message.

Using the lessons that she learned while rebuilding her business, she developed “Can Your Business Survive a Crisis? Practical Tips for Limiting Losses and Bouncing Back”. This program shows business owners how to limit risks and avoid losses, ensuring the continuity and vitality of a business during and after a crisis.

Rossetti developed “Selling Disability Income Insurance with Conviction” using her case study. In this program Rossetti discusses the value of disability income insurance and gives insurance professionals and financial planners tips on how to sell more policies.

“Make A Difference! Motivational Strategies to Empower Patients for Life” was developed for health care professionals; nurses; doctors; physical, recreational therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers. In this program, Rossetti shows these professionals that they have the ability to create in their patients the desire to change, the confidence to act and the tools to succeed. She gives strategies on how to assist the patient by promoting positive coping strategies and enhance motivation. These strategies can enlighten, empower, and maximize adjustment not only within the acute care setting, rehabilitation, and most importantly throughout the patients’ life span.

Rossetti’s program “Humor Lessons for Winning the Game of Life” focuses on the value of humor when dealing with difficult life situations. Participants will learn strategies to enhance their own sense of humor. This program also focuses on shaping attitude, laughing in spite of adversity, and how we can create our own mirth. Rossetti capitalizes on the time tested formula that people love to laugh while they learn. Her sensitive use of humor provides a balance that enables audiences to retain the core message in this inspiring presentation. During this program, participants take an in-depth look at their Wheel of Life. They determine what action steps are needed to put their lives back into balance and live their lives with renewed conviction. This program also focuses on what motivates people to change their behavior. Participants leave with skills to recognize what they need to change in their lives and how to challenge themselves to make those changes.

As a communication specialist, she offers seminars, workshops, and one-on-one speech coaching to clients. She works with organizations that want their people to communicate more clearly and convincingly, and with people who want to feel at ease in front of a group. Her tailor-made presentations are targeted at communication and presentation skill development, and train-the-trainer programs.

Rossetti is the president of Rossetti Enterprises Inc., founded in 1997, and Fortuna Press LLC, founded in 2003. She has been in the speaking and training arena for 27 years. She is a member of the National Speakers Association, and served on the board of directors for the Ohio Chapter from 1998-2003.

Rossetti and her husband, Mark Leder, are on a personal mission to increase the awareness and discussion of the home of the future. They are building a national demonstration home and garden, the Universal Design Living Laboratory www.udll.com in metropolitan Columbus, Ohio. Rossetti brings the discussion about marrying universal design, green building, healthy home, and technology to the forefront of our minds. This home will not only serve as their residence, but also will be used to teach residential and commercial builders, architects, landscape architects, designers, interior designers, manufacturer’s representatives/distributors, and home buyers. The 3,500 square foot ranch-style home will incorporate the finest craftsmanship and state-of-the-art products and services. Construction is anticipated to start in the spring of 2009.

Using her extensive research and first hand experience, Rossetti writes articles for national publications and speaks nationally about the features and benefits of universal design and green building. Since March 2006, her monthly columns about accessible housing are read in Action Magazine, a publication of the United Spinal Association. She has also written magazine articles for Ultimate Home Design, SpeciaLiving, PN, New Mobility, NAHB's 50+ Housing, and Ability. The National Association of Home Builders, American Society of Interior Designers, New York School of Interior Design, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, U.S. Department of Justice, Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, Canadian Paraplegic Association, and The Ohio State University have utilized her universal design expertise and speaking talents at recent programs.

Her monthly inspirational column has been in publication since January 2000. Rosemarie is the author, co-author or contributor to 11 books including her latest "Take Back Your Life!" a collection of 20 inspirational articles from her columns. In the book, Mission Possible! Rossetti is one of 12 contributing authors including: Stephen Covey, Deepak Chopra, Les Brown, and Pat Summit. Her essays were published by Simon & Schuster in the books Flowers are for Love and Flowers are Forever.

Rossetti taught courses at The Ohio State University for fifteen years in oral expression, teaching methods, instructional media, and marketing. In 1995, she was presented an award from the College of Agriculture for her outstanding teaching. Her academic background is in the area of teacher education. Rossetti has a Ph.D. (1982), Master of Science (1979), and Bachelor of Science (1975) degrees from The Ohio State University, in Agricultural Education. She had a dual major in horticulture and agricultural education as an undergraduate.

Rossetti has eight years of experience in sales and marketing as vice-president of an interior landscaping company. She was a Certified Interior Horticulturist, and wrote for national gardening publications. She is the co-author and publisher of The Healthy Indoor Plant, a book on the care of interior plants. She was president of Rosewell Publishing Inc. from 1991-2000. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees at the Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens from 1992-1998. She taught horticulture in a vocational high school from 1975-1978.

In February 2008, Rossetti was honored as one of “20 Outstanding Women You Should Know” in central Ohio. Rossetti was selected as a national “Roll Model” and was on the runway in a New York City fashion show on February 6, 2007 for a spinal cord injury fundraiser sponsored by Discovery through Design. She holds the title, Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2004. In 2002, she carried the Olympic torch in Columbus, Ohio on its way to the Winter Olympics. She also received the Remarkable Women Award and a service award from the National Speakers Association, Ohio Chapter, in 2002. In 1999, she received the Woman Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Franklin Park Conservatory – Recognition of Service Award - Board of Trustees; and the Women in New Growth Stages – Women Honoree Award. In August 2001, she founded the Rosemarie Rossetti Spinal Cord Research Fund at The Ohio State University.

Rossetti is listed in: Outstanding Young Woman of America; Marquis’ Who’s Who in America 2008, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in the World; World Who’s Who of Women; International Who’s Who of Professional and Business Women; International Who's Who of Professionals; Who’s Who of American Women 2007; 2005 Woman of Achievement Award; Woman of the Year – 2005; Manchester Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women; Great Women of the 21st Century, Empire Who's Who 2005; ; The 100 Most Intriguing People of 2002; 2000 Notable American Women; International Commendation of Success, 2000, Who's Who in American Education 2007-2008.

Rosemarie has been married to Mark Leder for thirteen years and lives in Columbus, Ohio.

RESUME OF ROSEMARIE ROSSETTI, Ph.D.

SUMMARY

• Professional speaker, trainer, writer, publisher and consultant, Rosemarie presents internationally to audiences from ten to several thousand.
• Experienced educator with a Ph.D. in Agricultural Education from The Ohio State University, Rosemarie taught courses in teaching methods, oral expression, and marketing for 15 years.
• Undergraduate horticulture major from OSU. Rosemarie was a horticulture instructor for three years, a Certified Interior Horticulturist, and wrote for national gardening publications. Rosemarie worked eight years as an interior horticulturist.
• Comprehensive sales and marketing background, Rosemarie has nine years experience as the owner of her own successful speaking, training, and consulting business.
• Experienced in generating extensive and ongoing press and media exposure.
• Enthusiastic, warm, and empathetic personality, Rosemarie draws the listener into her message and develops a following wherever she goes.
  

HONORS

• National “Roll Model” Discovery Through Design - 2005
• Ms. Wheelchair Ohio - 2004
• Winter Olympic Torchbearer - 2002
• Remarkable Women Award – 2002
• National Speakers Association, Ohio Chapter Award - 2002
• Woman Business Entrepreneur of the Year- 1999
• The Ohio State University College of Agriculture Teaching Award – 1995

CURRENT PROJECTS

• Designing and constructing a national universal design living laboratory home in Columbus, OH
• Writing a memoir, Just Like Riding a Bike
  

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Rosemarie Rossetti Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund at The Ohio State University – Founder 2001
• Working with state officials introducing legislation to raise money for SCI research.
• Donating portion of sales of Take Back Your Life! to SCI research
• Participating in national SCI fundraiser, New York, NY, February 2007
• Serving as peer mentor and speaker, The Ohio State University, Dodd Hall, 2000 to present
• Serving as guest speaker, Center for New Directions, 1999 to present

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

• National Speakers Association, Ohio Chapter, Board of Directors 1998-2003
• Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Board of Trustees 1992-1998

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Rossetti Enterprises Inc. Columbus, OH
  President, January 1997 – Present
• Fortuna Press Columbus, OH
  President, April 2003 – Present
• Rosewell Publishing Inc. Columbus, OH
  President, October 1991 - September 2000
• The Ohio State University Columbus, OH
  Assistant Professor, July 1990-January 1997
  Vocational Education Consultant, October 1987-June 1990
  Instructor, September 1986-September 1987
  Graduate Teaching Associate, September 1978-June 1982
• Stanford Interior Gardens, Inc. Columbus, OH
  Vice President of Sales and Marketing, July 1978 - September 1986
• Delaware County Joint Vocational School Delaware, OH
  Horticulture Instructor, August 1975 - July 1978

WRITING EXPERIENCE

• Published and authored Take Back Your Life!
• Published and co-authored The Healthy Indoor Plant.
• Monthly syndicated columnist of inspirational writing from December 1999 to present, with 53,000 readers each month
• Featured author in six anthology books: Mission Possible!; Flowers Are Forever; Flowers Are For Love; Enabled in Words, Dancing through Life with Guts, Grace & Gusto; What Can I Do. 

EDUCATION

• The Ohio State University Columbus, OH
  Ph.D., 1982 Majored in Agricultural Education with an emphasis in teacher education
  M.S., 1979 Majored in Agricultural Education with an emphasis in teacher education
  B.S., 1975 Dual major in Agricultural Education and Horticulture