Angela Winfield
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
“Strategic, purpose-driven leader passionate about advancing opportunity, empowering others, and creating lasting social impact.”
Hometown: Newburgh, New York
Family Members:
Husband: Lance
Fun fact about yourself: I’m an adventurous eater and will try any food at least twice.
Undergraduate and Graduate Schools and Degrees:
Barnard College of Columbia University – B.A.
Cornell Law School – J.D.
Where are you currently working? Law School Admission Council (LSAC), Vice President and Chief Impact Officer
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles:
- Trustee, SUNY Cayuga Community College
- Board Member, Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation
- Board Member, The Rev Theatre Co.
- Board Member, Success Beyond Sight
- Leadership Council Member, California Legal Pathways Collective
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Being selected to participate in Wharton’s Global Business Week in Rwanda (one of Wharton’s most popular and competitive GBW courses) was a definite highlight. Going to and learning in Rwanda was deeply meaningful and a highlight of my Executive MBA experience. Immersing myself in a country that has undergone profound conflict and transformation — from rebuilding institutions to fostering innovation and reconciliation — reinforced my belief in the power of values-driven leadership. It also challenged my perceptions of the power of community, government, and different forms of leadership. The week-long experience sharpened my understanding of how policy, entrepreneurship, economic development, culture, and social capital intersect to drive systemic change. As someone committed to expanding equity and opportunity for all, the experience provided both inspiration and strategic perspective on how to lead bold, inclusive change across sectors.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of the high-performing, mission-aligned teams I’ve built and led at Cornell University and LSAC. At the heart of that success is a deep commitment to developing people — helping them grow into roles they may not have initially seen for themselves. At Cornell, I supported a team member in stepping out from a behind-the-scenes position to confidently leading meetings with college deans and HR directors — a transformation that not only elevated his career but also expanded the team’s influence across campus. At LSAC, I mentored a rising leader on my team who ultimately earned a promotion to lead Applied and Strategic Research across the organization. Watching her take the reins of a key enterprise function has been one of my proudest moments. Leadership, to me, is about building both systems and people — and when done well, those investments leave a lasting legacy.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Cade Massey’s Influence course during block week reshaped how I think about power, persuasion, and leadership. As a senior executive in the not-for-profit industry, I often navigate complex stakeholder environments where buy-in and alignment are essential, but not always easy to achieve. Professor Massey’s insights helped me become more intentional about how I engage and network with others, frame narratives, and mobilize others around a shared mission. It also helped me develop my own personal guide for how to acquire and use power responsibly and ethically. His teaching was equal parts analytical and practical, offering tools that I started using that very week, before the class even ended. He challenged me to think deeply about power and influence. It was the last class I took and a wonderful capstone experience. It not only provided me an opportunity to reflect not only on all the knowledge, skill, and insight I gained throughout the program, but also the upside and potential pitfalls of putting it to use.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? Wharton’s combination of academic excellence, global perspective, and leadership development stood out. I wanted to be pushed intellectually (especially regarding quant skill development), surrounded by exceptional peers, and equipped with frameworks to drive systemic change. The EMBA format made it possible to pursue this without stepping away from my leadership role. Not to mention, the Wharton alumni community is unmatched in its breadth and depth!
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The importance of asking the right questions in the right way. Whether in finance, strategy, or leadership, I’ve learned that framing a problem thoughtfully and asking the right questions often unlock the best solutions. At LSAC, I’ve used this to better align cross-functional teams around our mission and to refine our thinking with respect to resource and program prioritization.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family, and education: During a particularly intense couple of weeks, I was finalizing a major presentation to our board of directors at LSAC, preparing for an accounting midterm, and supporting my husband who was undergoing emergency surgery. I made it through by prioritizing fiercely, asking for help, and remembering that perfection isn’t the goal — progress and purpose are.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Know your “why” — and revisit it often. The journey will test your time, energy, and confidence. But if you stay rooted in your purpose, you’ll gain far more than a degree — you’ll gain clarity, a deeper understanding of how to get things done, and a fantastic network.
What was your biggest regret in business school? Not taking more time to reflect in real time. The program moves so quickly, and I wish I had paused more often to absorb the growth and celebrate the small wins along the way.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Evan Farren. He is extraordinarily intelligent and capable, yet consistently humble, kind, and dependable — a rare and admirable combination. In every setting, Evan leads with quiet strength and integrity. His service as a fighter pilot in the National Guard is a testament to his discipline, courage, and deep commitment to something greater than himself. Despite the demands of military service, business school, and being a husband and father to two young children, he showed up fully for his classmates and contributed meaningfully to every conversation and group project. He never cut corners or took the easy way out. He puts in the work and does what needs to be done. His dedication, character, and humility inspire me, and I feel fortunate to have learned alongside him and am grateful to have had him on my first-year learning team.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I wanted an immersive experience with peers who also brought executive-level experience to the table. The in-person EMBA format allowed for deeper learning, richer conversations, and an intensity that matched the level of transformation I was seeking. The structure also enabled me to better allocate my time, attention, and focus over the course of the program.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed my EMBA through a mix of personal funds and employer sponsorship. I also made intentional trade-offs — reducing non-essential spending, planning travel carefully, and planning effectively.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I want to lead a global mission-driven organization at the intersection of education, equity, and innovation — transforming access and opportunity for future generations.
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