Who We Are

Valerie Tran (she/her) is the Interim Executive Director for FLS, leading the organization’s strategic direction and overseeing daily operations and programs. Valerie works at the intersection of urban planning and public health to foster healthy, safe, and dignified neighborhoods. Before FLS, she was a consultant to neighborhood and downtown organizations throughout the country, helping them plan for greater cultural and economic vitality. She previously served on the board of FLS, the International Special Review District, and Historic Seattle Preservation & Development Authority. She is currently an at-large board member of the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area. Valerie has master’s degrees in Urban Planning and Public Health from the University of Michigan.

Le–Vy Nguyen (she/her) is the Administrative & Development Specialist at FLS, supporting the organization’s fund development strategies and providing operational and administrative support to executive leadership. Grounded in a deep connection to her Vietnamese heritage, Le–Vy is passionate about honoring cultural history, preserving community stories, and contributing to a thriving future for Little Saigon. She believes in the importance of cultural resilience and community-driven development as essential pillars of equitable growth. As a musician, Le–Vy also brings a strong appreciation for the arts and its power to connect, heal, and inspire. She is dedicated to supporting arts and cultural initiatives that celebrate identity, creativity, and collective expression.

Angela Trần (any/all) is the Community Outreach Coordinator at FLS. They grew up on Duwamish land, colonially known as Seattle. They grew up visiting Little Sài Gòn weekly with their family, asking for newspapers and calendars from the local businesses and, of course, eating delicious Vietnamese food. Their passions lie in the study of marginalized communities. They have dedicated several years of research to the Vietnamese community specifically through supervised research projects at Stanford University, where they graduated with a Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies, and the University of Washington, where they recently served as a Bilingual Vietnamese Research Assistant. In their freetime, they enjoy lifting weights, learning languages, and playing board games.

Vincent Lưu (he/him/anh) is the Events and Cultural Space Coordinator. Growing up in Hawai‘i, Vincent rarely saw spaces that reflected his Vietnamese identity. It was not until moving to Seattle and discovering both Seattle University’s Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) and the Little Saigon neighborhood that he found a true sense of cultural connection and community. As a two-term VSA president and Seattle U alum, Vincent carries a deep love for creating welcoming spaces where young Vietnamese voices feel seen, heard, and celebrated. Beyond future events and responsibilities, he hopes to strengthen the bond between local VSAs and the Little Saigon community, helping others find the same sense of comfort he once did stepping off the streetcar for the first time. He believes in always being open to learning through the power of shared stories, spontaneous connection, and joyful exploration. When he is off the clock, you can find him doing puzzles, learning dances, or driving through the city with a curious spirit.

Hong Chhuor (he/him) serves as Fund Development Strategist for FLS and supports a variety of fundraising efforts to further our mission. He loves connecting people with issues and causes they care about so they can invest their time, talents, and resources in ways that are meaningful to them. Hong is a refugee who fled genocide in his native Cambodia and has lived experience with navigating systems fraught with language and cultural barriers. After graduating from Seattle University with degrees in history and business economics, Hong completed a Fulbright research grant in Bangkok, Thailand exploring the role of corporate social responsibility in addressing socio-economic challenges. He later moved to London, UK to pursue a postgraduate certificate in international business at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. While living in London, Hong also worked for UBS Investment Bank. Prior to FLS, he worked to support a variety of nonprofit missions in the Seattle area ranging from food justice, ending homelessness, human services, youth development, community development, and the arts. Hong is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and is the co-president of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Advancement Northwest (AFP AdvNW). He is also a small business owner and operates King Donuts in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood with his family. When he’s away from work, Hong likes to spend time in the garden, trek the globe, experiment in the kitchen, and share his family’s donuts with the world.

Alina Doan (she/her) is the Community Engagement Specialist at FLS. Alina spearheaded the Small Business Digital Literacy Project (SBDLP) to empower businesses to utilize digital tools. In addition to the SBDLP, she leads public safety initiatives, offers technical assistance to small businesses, and manages volunteer relations. Her dedication to fostering a sense of community and strengthening small business restaurants paves the way to uplifting individuals in Little Saigon. Outside of FLS, Alina’s passion for the environment fuels her volunteer work with conservation efforts. She believes digital literacy can be a powerful tool for environmental awareness, and she’s exploring ways to integrate sustainability education into future community outreach initiatives for Little Saigon businesses. She graduated with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Diversity from the University of Washington.

Anh Nguyen (she/her) is the Arts & Culture Program Manager for FLS and is responsible for its arts and culture program offerings at the Little Saigon Creative and in the neighborhood. Anh believes in the transformative and educational power of the arts, and is committed to making it accessible for members of the community. She hopes to uplift and support up-and-coming artists of Vietnamese descent and the AANHPI diaspora. Outside of FLS, Anh is a practicing artist and has worked for and collaborated with local artists and institutions in the Pacific Northwest. She received her BA in Art, Honors with a concentration in Painting + Drawing from the University of Washington.