Minamide has a bachelor’s in civil engineering from California State Polytechnic University–Pomona and a master’s in civil engineering from Loyola Marymount University. She is a former President of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) and a former Chair in the CASA Legislative Committee. She served on the California Advisory Panel for Direct Potable Reuse (DPR), working with treatment agencies, water purveyors, NGOs and the public to advise the State Water Resources Control Board on advance treatment of wastewater for DPR. In addition, she is a Board Member of Clean Water So Cal, a member of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and a member of the American Public Works Association. For all her accomplishments, Minamide was recognized with the Asian American Architects and Engineers Leadership Award.
What inspires Minamide is working for the public good and helping to protect our environment. In joining CDM Smith, she states, “There is so much that can be done to turn waste into resource. Potable reuse will help create reliable and sustainable local water supplies for future generations.”