Patricia Fraser
Vice President, Guest Relations
Education
M.S., Nonprofit Management, Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership
B.B.A., Business Administration, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Pat Fraser curates the Shedd Aquarium experience from the inside out, shaping how millions of guests engage with the institution’s mission from the moment they plan their visit to long after they leave the building. She manages guest relations, onsite partners and all touchpoints before, during and after a visit to ensure every guest feels informed, supported and delighted. As Vice President of Guest Relations, Fraser oversees Shedd’s Guest Relations and Central Station divisions, as well as vendors including Sodexo Live!, Photogenic, Event Network and others whose work contributes directly to the guest journey.
Fraser brings more than 35 years of broad and deep management experience to her role at the aquarium. Prior to joining Shedd, she served as the Director of Visitor Experience at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA), where she guided her teams through a transformative $16 million construction and renovation project. Her leadership included developing a strategic plan for post-renovation operations and visitor engagement, ensuring the museum could fully leverage its new spaces. Fraser also modernized MCA’s attendance forecasting, planning, data collection and reporting processes, giving the organization more accurate, timely and predictive tools to support attendance and revenue goals.
Before beginning her work in Chicago’s cultural sector, Fraser built a strong foundation in large-scale operations while supervising national retail stores, managing hundreds of employees for brands such as Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field’s and Macy’s. She also has contributed her expertise to the broader community as a former member of the board of directors for Back to School Illinois.