My Roots in Westminster

My father was a veteran who served in the Frogman unit of the South Vietnamese Navy. He was the one who taught me a love of learning and a drive for independence. He passed away suddenly in 1973 when my sisters and I were very young. My mother, with the help of my grandma, raised us four girls. In 1977, she made the courageous decision to take my sisters and me on a boat to flee the country in search of freedom. Our voyage was filled with hardships, including dangerous encounters with sea bandits. After five months at a refugee camp in Thailand—a place that gave me unforgettable childhood memories—our family was resettled in the United States in 1978. Our journey on American soil began in Florida, then took us through a few different cities in California, until I found my true home in Westminster 35 years ago.

In fact, I met my husband on the very first day I moved to this city—and no, it wasn’t an arranged marriage! We are celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary later this year. 😊

We raised three sons here who all attended our local public schools: Carrillo Elementary, McGarvin Intermediate, and La Quinta High School. For college, they continued that local tradition by attending CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, and UC Irvine. I am incredibly proud to share that one of my sons is currently serving our country as a Captain and a dentist in the United States Army. 

My commitment to giving back comes from a lifetime of facing challenges. Arriving in a new country as a young girl and being a polio survivor since the age of one, I know exactly what it means to overcome massive obstacles. I am ready to bring that same resilience and fighter mentality to City Hall. 

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Professional Excellence & Education

Having completed my high school education at Bolsa Grande High School, I began my higher education at Golden West College before transferring to CSU Long Beach, where I graduated with a double major in Finance and Accounting. I worked throughout my college years to support my education.

Driven to advance my expertise, I studied and passed the CPA exam while working full-time. I later completed an Executive MBA program, also while working full-time—a program fully funded by my firm in recognition of my potential. I graduated in the top 10% of my class and am a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society.

My four-decade career in financial management, including 28 years as a Financial Controller, has given me deep experience leading diverse teams, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and solving complex strategic challenges.

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A History of Service

• Language Instructor: While in college, I taught Vietnamese on weekends at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

• Community Organizer: I helped organize the Tet Parade alongside local community leaders. Many of you may remember the year the community debated whether to allow LGBTQ groups to participate. I voted Yes. Sitting at that long conference table, I was one of the very few who raised both their hand and their voice for inclusion. My vote was guided by a simple truth: true leadership means standing up for everyone.

• Friends of Music Volunteer: I served as the Treasurer for the La Quinta High School music program for three years.

• "Music Mom": I managed a wide array of responsibilities to support our student musicians, from chaperoning band and orchestra competitions to managing concession stands and organizing annual fundraisers.

• Community Advocate: I helped organize a community potluck for fruit-growing enthusiasts that brought over 100 neighbors together.