Charles R. Drew University Welcomes Three New Members to Board of Trustees
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) has announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Trustees: Leslie Negritto, Kellie Hawkins, and Dr. Sonia Morales.
Each brings a wealth of experience across finance, public health, policy, and clinical care, advancing the University’s mission-driven leadership.
“CDU is honored to welcome these exceptional leaders to our Board of Trustees,” said Dr. David M. Carlisle, CDU President and CEO. “Their diverse expertise and shared commitment to advancing health equity are invaluable during this pivotal era of growth and continued impact at CDU.”
Leslie Negritto currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, where she plays a central role in guiding strategic direction to meet the institution’s financial goals. She previously held several leadership roles at Claremont Graduate University, including Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, where she oversaw fiscal and administrative operations. Her career also includes experience as a senior consultant with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), where she designed custom software applications and re-engineered business processes for clients.
Kellie Hawkins is Managing Partner at Englander Knabe & Allen (EKA) and leads the firm’s Health Initiatives team. With extensive experience spanning both public and private sectors, she has managed health and human services practices for The Hawkins Company and advised senior leaders on fiscal priorities, during her tenure at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Locally, she served under former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as Executive Director of the Commission on the Status of Women and has also worked as an epidemiologist with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s sexually transmitted diseases program. Hawkins remains actively engaged in civic leadership through board service with organizations including Coro Southern California and Climate Resolve.
Dr. Sonia Morales, a pediatric oncologist, brings both clinical expertise and a deeply personal connection to her work. A childhood optic glioma survivor, she pursued medicine with a focus on caring for children and adolescents facing similar diagnoses. Dr. Morales earned her medical degree through the CDU/UCLA medical education program and holds a master’s degree in public health from UCLA. She completed her pediatrics residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and a hematology/oncology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), where her passion translated to the care of children, teens, and young adult patients at the Hyundai Cancer Institute. Her research focuses on developing an app that can be used as a mental health intervention for cancer survivors.