Nov 5, 2018
Kathy Tran is a change maker and an advocate for all people seeking to fully live the American Dream. Her own journey started as a 2 year old with her family's exodus from Vietnam to America in search of opportunity and freedom. Kathy witnessed her parents perseverance after settling here and making the sacrifices needed to sustain their family. She was inspired to carry on their legacy through her service at the US Department of Labor, where she focused on education and skill building for immigrants and refugees and on veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce. At the National Immigration Forum, Kathy launched a workforce development program to address the needs of low and high skilled refugees. The 2016 election prompted Kathy to rethink her path and to find a new way to uplift communities. She ran for the Virginia House of Delegates and won, the first Vietnamese American to serve in this important body. We talk about advocacy campaigns and how to be hopeful in challenging times.