Girl Scouts Exec Kim E. Fraites-Dow’s Favorite Things
The Girl Scouts CEO of Eastern Pennsylvania dishes on her top places around Philly and the stuff she can't live without.
Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou.
With business savvy and a stylish eye, Radnor resident Fraites-Dow has helped to build institutions like the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Now, she’s the CEO of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Here, all the things she can’t live without.
Favorite Things
On my shopping list: Thin Mints. “It’s the second-best-selling cookie in the country, and it’s only sold eight weeks a year.”
Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou.
Piece of jewelry: Realm rings from Scarlett Alley in Old City. “I bought one when I was interim CEO. I told myself if I got the job, I would buy the rest.”
Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou.
On my feet: Louis Vuitton pumps.
Most recent splurge: A pink Roland Mouret dress. “I got it from Saks for the 2018 Most Admired CEO Awards.”
Item I wear every day: A Girl Scout pin. “They’re in the shape of a trefoil — our logo.”
Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou.
Musicians: Philadelphia Orchestra. “To me, every musician there is an Olympic athlete.”
On my desk: Le Pen green pens. “I sign all my letters in green now.”
At Home
Hobby: Clarinet. “When I turned 40, I got my instrument overhauled by Atelier Jacobi at the Bok.”
What I buy in bulk: Dried cherries.
Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou.
Prized possession: Aunt Evelyn’s antique hand mirror. “She was like my grandmother.”
Currently reading: Becoming, by Michelle Obama. “She gave us 30 tickets to her Wells Fargo Center event and asked for a speaker to represent the Girl Scouts. One of our girls introduced the whole event!”
I never go to sleep without: Kissing the kids. “I have two: My daughter, Ella, is eight, and son Elijah is seven.”
Pet: “Coco, my wirehaired pointing griffon.”
Out and About
Boutique: Nicole Miller at the Bellevue. “Mary Dougherty is an amazing leader. I’ve bought everything from ball gowns to suits.”
Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou.
Quick food stop: T&F Farmers Pride in Roxborough. “They have ‘Meatball Mondays.’ I eat them in a cup with sharp provolone and long hots.”
Museum: The Barnes. “I loved the Morisot exhibition 6 featuring female Impressionists.”
Spa: Chungdam Spa and Fitness in Cheltenham. “They exfoliate your entire body.”
Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou.
Restaurant: Autograph Brasserie in Wayne. “I order oysters and the steak frites with truffled parmesan fries.”
Project I’m working on: Empowering girls. “There’s close to 40,000 girls in our council. We teach them to take risks, try new things, and discover a strong sense of self.”
Published as “Connoisseur: Kim E. Fraites-Dow” in the March 2019 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
