[2] She holds an MA in English and Creative Writing from Concordia University in Montreal and an MFA with a specialization in Screenwriting from the Program in Theatre, Film and Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.
[3] Her picture book, This is Sadie, was adapted for the stage by Barbara Zinn Krieger for New York City Children's Theater.
The production, directed and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons, was deemed "beguiling" by the New York Times.
O'Leary then went on to become a weekly literary columnist for both the Vancouver Sun and CBC Radio One.
[5] In 2024 she was the recipient of the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for her body of work.