“I was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States with my parents when I was 3 years old,” said Hieu Tran, now a senior at Wake Forest University preparing for a career in financial services. His journey from South Seattle to Wall Street might seem unlikely, but it illustrates a powerful truth: future leaders aren’t built in isolation—they’re shaped by the community that surrounds them.
When Hieu talks about Rainier Scholars today, he doesn’t describe an organization. “When I think of Rainier Scholars, it’s not as an organization, but as an important group of people who were foundational in my upbringing,” he said. This chosen family has been the constant thread throughout his transformation from that young immigrant child to the accomplished young professional he’s becoming.
Where It All Began
A graduate of Lakeside School and current senior at Wake Forest University on the Magnolia Scholarship (which supports 30 first-generation students each year), Hieu’s story started with a simple moment of recognition. At John Muir Elementary, “there was this teacher named Ms. Shore who pulled me aside and gave me the brochure for Rainier Scholars. She said, ‘Hey, Hieu, this is a great program that you might be interested in being a part of.'”
His parents, despite having limited formal education themselves, immediately understood the opportunity. “In Vietnam, my mom graduated from high school, but not college, while my dad didn’t graduate from high school at all,” Hieu said. “They weren’t educated, but they knew education was very, very important to make it in the U.S. And so, they encouraged me to apply.”
That decision in fifth grade became what Hieu calls “the biggest inflection point of my life.” But what he’s come to understand is that joining Rainier Scholars wasn’t just about accessing better schools—it was about surrounding himself with bright and driven students from similar backgrounds.
Finding Friends and Mentors
Within his Rainier Scholars cohort, Hieu found something remarkable: “I was part of a five-person student group during the academic phases in fifth grade. And of those five kids, four of us are still extremely tight, and we’re all pursuing a career in the business world.” These relationships with Dawit Ewnetu, Mussie Dagmawi, and Fraol Bogale have evolved far beyond typical friendships. They’ve become the foundation of his support system. Their collective wins inspire him to keep moving forward.
“As I have gotten older, I have realized how privileged I’ve been to be a part of a program from such a young age that opened up the doors to world-class education and mentorship for me. Beyond that, Rainier Scholars surrounded me with an amazing supporting community and many of my closest friends.”
Throughout his journey, Hieu has consistently sought mentors who could guide him through unfamiliar territory. “When I look back throughout the course of my life, especially coming from a certain background where my parents couldn’t have given me advice on navigating a career, seeking mentors has been very important,” he said.
“I think it’s important for everyone, but especially for first-generation, low-income students of color, to find a mentor who they want to be like. They don’t even have to be a rock star—just people who are high character, who are willing to pour into you and teach you lessons about both your career and about life. Luckily for me, I’ve been able to have some rock star mentors throughout my life.”
Giving Back to the Community That Built Him
Even as a college student still benefiting from Rainier Scholars support, Hieu felt compelled to give back. Inspired by longtime board member Zander Doroski, he said, “I saw his commitment to supporting Rainier Scholars and I realized I had to match him and give back to the program.”
Characteristically, Hieu wanted to contribute authentically. “I wanted to give back to Rainier Scholars, but I do it in a way that was on brand for myself. I wanted to do something where I could push myself in new ways, exemplify the attributes Rainier Scholars engrained in me, while also giving back to the program that started it all.”
His solution was the Ironman Texas, a 140.6 mile triathlon composed of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run, that he used as a fundraising vehicle. The physical challenge embodied the metaphor of his journey: a seemingly impossible feat made achievable through the pursuit of excellence, perseverance, and the support of his community.
Not only did he complete the Ironman, but Hieu raised over $5,000 for Rainier Scholars in the process. “Rainier Scholars changed my life, giving me access to the resources and support that I needed to succeed from a young age. It enabled me to realize my potential and opened the door for me to work hard and pursue the American Dream. I can already see the ripple effects that my access to education has had on my family and the communities that I hold dear.”
Hieu is grateful for Rainier Scholars. He knows that his story could have been very different: “Somewhere within Seattle, there is an extremely bright 4th grader filled with tenacity, hunger, and a desire to do something great with their life. However, they don’t have the resources, guidance at home, or roadmap to navigate the complexities of the education system. This child has great potential, and with the right support, they could overcome systemic barriers and become a leader within their community.”
The Leader Shaped by Community
As Hieu prepares to begin his career at Greenhill, a leading boutique investment bank in New York, he carries more than just academic credentials. He embodies the understanding that leadership is fundamentally about lifting others up, paying it forward, and giving back to the communities that changed your life. He understands the magnitude of opportunity that education has given him and is excited to jumpstart his career in New York.
“In the future, I hope to provide that same opportunity and guidance to youth whose shoes I was once in,” he said. This commitment illustrates how community investment creates a multiplier effect: each leader shaped by community becomes a builder of community for others.
When asked about his advice to current scholars, he pointed to three important pieces of his success: “Take responsibility for the outcomes that you desire, cultivate relationships, and lean into what makes you curious.”
But underlying all this guidance is a deeper truth—that none of us succeed alone.
Hieu’s journey from South Seattle to Wall Street wasn’t a solo achievement. It was the product of a community that saw potential and provided support to compel him through every challenge. That’s what we’re hoping to do at Rainier Scholars. We hope to change more than individual trajectories—we work to build the networks of support that create tomorrow’s leaders, who in turn build community for the next generation.