.214 Frederica Wald

At a time when I felt stuck and uninspired, Freddi came into my life and gave me the refreshing dose of honesty and direction that I needed. She is a true firecracker of human energy and an absolute expert at leading and managing while also finding time to laugh and enjoy the world around her. She appreciates the little things, and I’m grateful to have witnessed her magic.

When I first met Freddi, I had this sort of feeling that we were instantly going to connect. She was incredibly open and vulnerable from the start, which allowed for everyone to really be themselves and move forward. As the head of our department, she constantly set the example with how to take charge, how to be kind, how to listen, and how to treat others with dignity and respect. Her intelligence is off the charts and she matches it with such a fun and vibrant personality that often led to us singing bits of Company in the office (does anyone still wear a hat?). It’s genuinely hard to put into words how much I appreciate her young and ambitious soul and how good of a human she is. Freddi really inspired me each and every day and I think of her contagious smile, laughter and inviting presence very often.

Freddi, thank you so much for being the leader we needed. Thank you for your determination, your resilience, and your patience. Thank you for always knowing how to make me laugh and for never taking life too seriously. Thank you for your love of dogs and Broadway and for making each day at the office a joyful and refreshing one, even through tough situations. Thank you for your wit, your humor, and your willingness to learn and open your heart to the new things around you. Thank you for being a role model to myself and so many others. Thank you, Freddi, for being you.

-BD