Danealia (Deni) Mineta began her working career as a flight attendant for United Airlines in 1965. Two years later, she was awarded the United Airlines Customer Service Award (now known as the Flight Attendant of the Year Award). She has lived all throughout the United States, spending time in California, Hawaii, Texas, and her current home in Maryland, among others.
While living in New Mexico her oil paintings were shown in a Las Cruces Gallery. She continues to paint and work in fiber art.
While living in Hawaii, she enrolled in Real Estate training through the University of Hawaii and soon after joined one of the largest real estate firms in Hawaii – Locations, Inc. She was named “Listor of the Year” in 1980 and rose to become an associate broker with the firm.
In 1990 she met and began dating Norman Y. Mineta, then a Member of Congress for California’s 13th District. They married a year later and were married over 31 years until his passing in May 2022.
Deni was by Norm’s side during his remaining time as a Member of Congress and during his tenure as the Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton, and Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush. Norm was also a Senior Vice President with Lockheed Martin and Vice Chair of Hill and Knowlton before opening his own company, Mineta & Associates, LLC. Norm also served as a MELE Associates Board Member for several years. Deni was with him every step of the way.
Deni was a co-founder and member of the Board for Career Closet in San Jose. She has served on many boards, including Suited for Change in Washington, D.C., the Advisory Board of Americans with Disabilities and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the Advisory Board of the Trust for the National Mall. Deni also sat on the Board of the Kennedy Center. She is an Honorary Co-Chair of the Mineta Simpson Institute at Heart Mountain. She is also a member of the International Neighbors Club I and co-chaired the membership committee for three years.
She has four sons David, Stuart, Bob and Mark and lives in Edgewater, MD with her two Shih Tzu dogs Sammy & Gunnar.