Willowbook, CA — Angela L. Minniefield, MPA, has dedicated over three decades to advancing healthcare education and training and ensuring equitable healthcare access for underserved communities.
As the Senior Vice President of Advancement and Operations and Chief Operating Officer at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), she plays a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s mission and growth.
In a recent interview with Inland Valley News, Minniefield reflected on her career, leadership philosophy and the challenges she faces as a Black woman in academia.
Minniefield, who joined CDU in April 2012, has seen her role expand significantly. She first arrived as Vice President for Strategic Advancement and External Affairs, but her responsibilities have since grown to include overseeing university fundraising, communications, alumni engagement, human resources, campus safety and facilities management.
“I oversee the university’s fundraising efforts, communications and public relations. I also oversee our alumni engagement activities,” Minniefield said. “On the operations side, I manage human resources, campus safety, risk management, and facilities. In this capacity, I have about 57 reports under my leadership, including seven direct reports.”
Under her leadership, CDU has raised over $200 million to support students, facility needs and operational growth. She also manages a $15 million budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support the university’s long-term vision.
Balancing such a wide range of responsibilities could be overwhelming, but Minniefield credits her team with making it all possible.
“In other places, the sheer number of areas under my purview may be split by more than one individual,” she explained. “But I have a great cast of directors and managers who support my work, and I reciprocate that support to them. Because I have strong leaders working under me, what could be a challenge is not as much of a challenge.”
Minniefield emphasized that community engagement is central to her work at CDU. She also spoke passionately about her commitment to uplifting Black and Brown women in leadership.
“I think Black women leaders carry a lot on their shoulders,” she said. “I just appreciate the wins that we as a community have and the impact that we have. I want to make sure we’re supporting each other and that I bring that support to other young Black and Brown women.”
When asked about advice she would give to young Black women hoping to follow in her footsteps, Minniefield stressed the importance of seizing every opportunity.
“Take advantage of every opportunity to expand your knowledge base,” she urged. “Stretch yourself. Every position that I’ve had—from fast food to retail, from being a student assistant, an analyst, an admin assistant—has helped me perfect the role that I have now because it’s informed by all of those experiences.”
As a leader in higher education, Minniefield is a strong advocate for ensuring that universities meet the needs of all students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
“In academia, when you accept a student, you accept that student and all that they are, with all that they need,” she said. “My goal is to make sure that academia is responsive to the unique needs of students who come to their institution.”
She also acknowledged the disparities Black and Brown women face in the workforce, including wage gaps and being held to different standards.
“That’s something that we, for the most part, accept and work through,” she said. “It doesn’t mean that the burden is light, but it’s something that we more openly express today—and we have to—because, again, we’re modeling the way for other Black and Brown women.”
Minniefield’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, she received the Advancement Leader Award at the HBCU Philanthropy Symposium, recognizing her contributions to higher education and institutional growth.
As she looks toward the future, her vision remains clear: to continue shaping CDU as a beacon of opportunity for aspiring healthcare professionals from historically marginalized communities.
“We need to make sure that our institutions not only open doors but also provide the resources and support necessary for students to succeed,” she said.
Through her leadership and advocacy, Minniefield continues to set an example for the next generation of leaders, demonstrating that perseverance, community engagement, and a commitment to equity can create lasting change.
