Celebrating Women’s History Month: Spotlight on Sarah Burlew, CEO of Omlie Consulting

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March 30, 2026

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we take this opportunity to honor trailblazing women who are shaping industries, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations.  One such remarkable leader is Sarah Burlew, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Omlie Consulting, a women-owned management consulting firm based in Philadelphia.

A Visionary Leader Redefining Consulting
Sarah Burlew founded Omlie Consulting in January 2021 amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Her vision was to challenge conventional consulting practices by infusing empathy, authenticity, and joy into the workplace.  Under her leadership, Omlie has grown into a multi-million-dollar enterprise within just five years, earning recognition as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

As founder and CEO, Sarah was inspired by Phoebe Omlie, a trailblazing American pilot who became the first female licensed American airplane mechanic, the first woman to hold a transport pilot’s license, and the first woman appointed to a federal aviation position.  In honor of Phoebe Omlie’s pioneering spirit, Sarah named the fledgling company after this inspiring woman and it seems to have paid off.

Sarah established Omlie with specific goals in mind:

• A partnership with clients that goes beyond just contracts and deliverables
• Creating lasting joy by infusing Omlie’s company culture and guiding principles into daily interactions
• A belief in the fact that diverse experiences lead to better outcomes
• Pursuing wonder in the office and for clients
• Asking “how might we” to foster creativity
• Putting the skunk on the table: ensuring transparency and integrity are cornerstones both personally and as a company so that problems don’t fester and conversations are open, honest, and kind

Omlie helps first‑line leaders turn strategy into results, serving as champions and catalysts for the teams driving growth and change.  Many of these industries are still male-dominated.  As Sarah notes, “The business world was built to make the Model-T efficiently.  But women think and move differently.”  With many women having caregiving responsibilities in their families, Omlie intentionally provides flexibility to allow employees the freedom both to take care of their families and excel in the workplace.

It’s no surprise that Omlie’s culture strives to rewrite the status quo.  Most of the staff is fully remote, but Omlie maintains a cozy Victorian home office that makes coming to the office to work “a perk, not a requirement.”  Omlie employees visit the office to spend time with each other and collaborate.  Additionally, after a team-building rock climbing event where Sarah and her team realized that not everyone prefers the same events and that team building can take many forms, they started the Crew Connect program.  Crew Connect provides each employee with an annual budget of company funds to plan an activity with other employees.  Omlie teammates have used the funds to go to concerts together, plan spa days, and dinners – all in the name of strengthening their intra-team bonds in ways that suit each employee best.

Omlie Consulting’s innovative approach has not only transformed the consulting industry but also made a significant impact in healthcare.  The firm played a pivotal role in expediting the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine, ensuring its distribution within 24 hours of FDA approval—a process that typically takes months.  This achievement underscores Sarah’s commitment to creating transformative strategies that benefit both clients and society.

A Legacy of Excellence and Recognition
We’re not the only ones who think Sarah and Omlie are doing great work: Sarah’s leadership and Omlie’s success have garnered numerous accolades.  In 2025, Omlie was ranked No. 847 on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, with a three-year revenue growth of 499.34%.  The firm has also been named one of North America’s Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces and recognized as a “Best Place to Work.”

Individually, Sarah has been celebrated as a visionary entrepreneur and leader.  She was named a 2024 Most Admired CEO by the Philadelphia Business Journal and was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2024 Greater Philadelphia Award.  These honors reflect her dedication to fostering innovation, empowering her team, and driving meaningful change.

Empowering Women and Building a Better Future
As a woman-led organization, Omlie Consulting exemplifies the power of women’s leadership in driving business success and societal progress.  Sarah’s journey from launching Omlie with a bold goal of achieving $1 million in revenue in its first year to surpassing that milestone and building a thriving enterprise is a testament to her resilience, vision, and determination.

Sarah’s story is an inspiration to women everywhere, demonstrating that, with courage, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve extraordinary success.  Her leadership not only paves the way for other women entrepreneurs but also contributes to creating a more inclusive and equitable business landscape.

If you’re inspired to work with Omlie or build your career at Omlie, please reach out at www.omlieconsulting.com.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Sarah Burlew and the incredible impact she has made as the CEO of Omlie Consulting.  Her achievements remind us of the importance of supporting and uplifting women leaders who are shaping the future.  At Rubin Fortunato, we are proud to honor women like Sarah who inspire us to dream big, lead boldly, and make a difference.