UW Board Fellow Program Connects Students and Nonprofits – Everybody Benefits!
Over the summer, Sister Schools welcomed our very first University of Washington Board Fellow to the team: Olivia Tran! The Board Fellow program connects MBA students with local nonprofits. Nonprofits like us benefit from students’ unique skills, while students get to expand their leadership experience. It’s a wonderful way for us all to grow, and we are so glad to have Olivia’s expertise on our team!
Olivia has worked across technology, biotech, and healthcare industries, managing diverse projects that enhance data-driven decision-making and streamline operations. Currently, she is serving as a Product Manager for a Washington State agency, where she focuses on developing and implementing technical solutions and driving organizational change to improve efficiency and deliver meaningful value to end users and stakeholders. She is also a second-year student in the Technology Management MBA program at the University of Washington.
Olivia has always been committed to giving back, and has served many nonprofits in various capacities over the years. The Board Fellowship program seemed like a natural fit for her desire to make a difference, and when she learned about Sister Schools, we instantly rose to the top of her list.
“During the interview process, I had the privilege of meeting Jaime, Sister Schools' Executive Director, and Sameer, a Board Member,” she explained. “In just 30 minutes, we instantly connected, and we even started brainstorming ideas for Sister Schools during the interview. That experience made Sister Schools one of my top choices, and I was thrilled when I was matched with the organization. I said "yes" to Sister Schools because its mission of fostering empathy and leadership in young students through community service deeply resonated with me. As a proud double Dawg and current Foster MBA student, I’m committed to carrying forward the University of Washington spirit of supporting and empowering the next generation of leaders. What makes Sister Schools’ mission even more inspiring is its far-reaching impact—not only shaping students locally but also transforming lives globally in Uganda. Meeting Jaime and Sameer during the interview left a lasting impression—they both conveyed so much passion and dedication to the organization that it was contagious. I could see myself contributing to their vision right away. Education and empowerment are values that have played a huge role in shaping my own journey, so I feel a personal connection to the mission of inspiring students to make a difference in the world.”
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.
We’re so grateful for all the hard work and effective strategies Olivia has contributed! Thankfully, she is equally grateful for the experience. She explained some of her favorite parts of the program, saying,
“From creating effective marketing strategies to strengthening fundraising initiatives and fostering deeper community engagement, I hope to make meaningful contributions that leave a lasting impact. I’m especially eager to see some of the ideas Jaime, Sameer, and I discussed during the interview come to life—it’s rewarding to be part of making those plans a reality and supporting Sister Schools in achieving its goals.”
Welcome on board, Olivia! We’re so glad you’re here!