Foster Student Brings New MBA Skills to the Boardroom

As an MBA student at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, Olivia Oanh Tran is finding even more ways to give back to the community. Through the UW Board Fellows Program, Tran has been volunteering with the Seattle-based nonprofit Sister Schools as a non-voting board member. 

“It’s where I belong,” Tran said. “It’s interesting, you have your daytime job because you need to survive. But volunteering is where I really feel my value and contributions to the community.” 

As a student in the Technology Management MBA program, Tran is eager to make an even bigger impact by applying the knowledge and skills she’s been learning through the program. With a core curriculum focused on accounting, finance, marketing, economics, and operations management, Tran says the Foster MBA is already helping her improve the sustainability of Sister Schools. 

“Some people think nonprofits are all about fundraising and grants,” she said. “It actually involves more governance and structure, like keeping people involved in the organization.”

Sharing her passion for giving back 

Ever since high school, Tran has been dedicated to giving back and making a meaningful impact on her community. Through her work with Sister Schools, Tran is helping other young people experience how easy it can be to make a difference for people in need. 

“We are empowering students to make an impact for their community and on a global scale,” she said.  

The organization partners with elementary schools in Washington state to host fundraisers, drives and other activities to collect donations such as school supplies and athletic gear for students in need at their “sister school” in Uganda.  

“Sister Schools provides Puget Sound students with a global experience in personal philanthropy,” says its mission. “We teach compassion, service, and social responsibility by partnering students in donor schools with children in need. In a powerfully personal way, our students learn that no matter who they are, what they look like, they have the ability to change someone’s life.”

Enhanced learning through the board fellow program 

Sister Schools is new to the UW Board Fellows Program, which partners with local nonprofit organizations to provide students at the Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration level to contribute as non-voting board members.  

In honor of its first Board Fellows participant, Sister Schools posted a blog post welcoming Tran in November that commended the work she had already done: 

“Olivia’s passion and heart for education, in addition to her extensive skill set, have been invaluable to Sister Schools. In the few short months she has been with us, Olivia has already relaunched our social media presence (check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn if you haven’t already!), created a comprehensive social media strategy for us to utilize moving forward, and assisted in planning and executing our annual auction.” 

With a UW Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from 2017, Tran also brings broad experience in healthcare and technology at organizations including Madigan Army Medical Center, Fred Hutch, SEIU 775, and her current role as Product Manager for the Washington State Department of Corrections. 

“I love that the program has given me the opportunity to structure board governance for a nonprofit,” Tran said, “and to create a fundraising approach that can be sustainable for the next 15 years.”

Continuing to support Sister Schools 

Although Tran’s official position with Sister Schools ends when she graduates from the Technology Management MBA program in the spring, she is currently exploring ways to continue giving back to the program. 

“What can you do with $21?” Tran asks. “That’s enough to keep a child in the Sister Schools program in Uganda for a whole year, allowing students to attend school full-time instead of working. It’s very simple, but it makes a tremendous impact on their day-to-day life.” 

In the few months she’s been with the program, Tran also has experienced its long-term impact after meeting successful Ugandans who received support from Sister Schools in 2008.  

“Now they’re giving back to inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps and continue with their education,” Tran said.  

Learn more about the Technology Management MBA here.