Emily Tran is a licensed LVN and RCFE administrator since 2012. Their passion for advocating for older adults and their care is one of many driving forces that motivates them to be involved in progressive spaces. Their Vietnamese-American heritage is an evolving identity of theirs that influences their perspective on issues relating to inequality, community building, and civic duty. 

Emily moved to San Diego in 2017 and immediately became involved with the San Diego LGBT Center’s Young Professionals Council (YPC). A professional development program that helps local LGBTQ+ and allies network with each other, and teaches its members about local LGBT social justice movements. In 2019, the advocacy and experience with older adults were acknowledged by the Mayor of Chula Vista, Mary Salas, where Emily was sworn in as an official member of the Commission on Aging in Chula Vista, California. In 2021, Emily was nominated by their colleagues to be the Chair of the Commission to the present time. Another organization that Emily is an active member of is Viet Vote SD, a local non-profit dedicated to advancing civic participation in the local Vietnamese-American community. They do advocacy work with the community and in collaboration with other community-based non-profits. 

Emily is an undergraduate at San Diego State University majoring in Gerontology and minoring in Asian Studies. They are involved with SDSU’s Social Policy Institute as an intern where they are a part of the “Age-Friendly” conversation happening both on campus and off. Upon completing their undergraduate studies, Emily plans to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and Policy. They aim to be a part of conversations revolving around senior services, access to those services, and creating inclusive policies that center around a culturally sensitive approach for all members of the aging space, including those from the disabled community.