After graduating as a lifer from Shipley in 1968, Fred attended Cornell University, graduating with a BS in Engineering, and then went on to Carnegie Mellon University and earned a Master’s in Economics. She joined Pennzoil Company in 1975 and rose through the ranks, founding Pennzoil’s international division in 1986 and building it into a unit with $80 million dollars in sales in 50 foreign countries. After leaving Pennzoil in 1992, Fred became the Chair, CEO Groups at Vistage International, a world-wide executive coaching organization supporting about 14,000 business leaders.

When profiled in Shipley’s magazine in 2010, she reflected that “It’s been a life’s journey to fully appreciate ‘Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing.’ At the same time this creed was probably my best guide to success.” Recognizing that, for her, courage was easier to find than grace, she still has a card that Head of School Mrs. Epes gave her at graduation: “Develop tact and you will go far.”

In recognition of her role as a pioneer in her profession, the Alumni Council has awarded Fred the Distinguished Alumni Award.