Gloria Freeman, MHA
Gloria Freeman, MHA, is the Deputy Director of Program Operations at the New Jersey State Department of Banking and Insurance, where she leverages her extensive expertise in public health education and healthcare administration to develop and implement impactful programs. With a career spanning over a decade in healthcare management, Gloria has served in leadership roles including Executive Director at Tribute Home Care and Regional Outreach Supervisor at HealthCare Access Maryland. Her professional approach is guided by her dedication to supporting her team, fostering collaboration, and ensuring programs align with federal, state, and local healthcare regulations, including the Affordable Care Act.
A healthcare professional at heart, Gloria’s journey began as a nursing student, but she quickly discovered her passion lay in healthcare administration. She earned her Associate Degree in Health Science from Mercer Community College, her Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management from Southern Illinois University, and her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland. Her professional development was shaped by personal experiences, including caring for her older brother after his heart transplant, which inspired her to pursue graduate studies and refine her focus on leading with empathy and impact.
Beyond her professional achievements, Gloria is a creative and culturally curious individual who loves art, music, and traveling—with Kenya being one of her favorite destinations. She is passionate about lifelong learning, embraces challenges with resilience, and takes pride in mentoring her team with the philosophy, “I work for you. What do you need from me to be successful?” Gloria’s story is one of perseverance and vision, from relocating to the U.S. from Liberia as a child to overcoming imposter syndrome and building a career grounded in service, leadership, and creativity.
• University of Maryland - M.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my courage, my willingness to speak up, my ability to see the silver lining in every situation, and the strong sense of self I developed early in life.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to focus on the work that truly matters and not get distracted by the small stuff.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry not to be afraid of looking silly, to learn from those who came before them, to embrace collaboration, and to actively gain institutional knowledge.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is the vulnerability of the healthcare system, as many people still lack access to affordable care. At the same time, this creates opportunities to innovate solutions that expand access and improve outcomes for patients.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value that is most important to me in both my work and personal life is integrity.
Locations
New Jersey State Department of Banking and Insurance
Trenton, NJ 08611