Julie A. Fream is a distinguished leader in the automotive industry, with a career spanning four decades. Her strategic vision and leadership have made a significant impact on the automotive supply chain, and she continues to serve as a role model for women in the industry.

Fream’s passion for engineering led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, followed by an MBA from Harvard Business School as a GM Fellow. This blend of engineering and business education equipped her to bridge the gap between innovation and strategy effectively.

Fream began her career at General Motors (GM) Fisher Body, gaining expertise in manufacturing and product development. She then joined Ford Motor Company Truck Group, contributing to the first Ford minivan, and later worked at TRW in Electronics and Seat Belts. In 1998, she joined Visteon Corporation, where she held increasingly senior roles, including leading the North American Customer Group and Corporate Communications. She became a corporate officer at Visteon in 2004. In 2013, Fream was appointed President and CEO of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), now known as MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers. Under her leadership, OESA played a crucial role in advocating for suppliers on trade policies, supply chain management, and technological innovation. She emphasized the adoption of new technologies to help suppliers remain competitive during industry challenges such as COVID, the semiconductor shortage, and inflation. Fream has received numerous accolades, including being named one of Automotive News’ 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry in 2015 and 2020 and one of Crain’s 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan in 2016 and 2021. She served on Michigan Technological University’s board of trustees from 2011 to 2018, including two years as chair, and currently serves on the boards of Blue Bird Corporation, Corewell Health, and Shape Corporation. Fream lives in Beverly Hills, Michigan, with her husband, Robert Lawrence. Their two adult children, Jillian and Ryan, live in Madison, Wisconsin, and Austin, Texas.