Conversations with Vi Tran

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vi Tran.

Hi Vi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I studied elementary education at Kennesaw State University, where my passion for working with youth truly took shape, though it started much earlier. As a middle school student, I would spend my lunch periods in the classroom teaching my friends test material to help them prepare for exams. Even then, I knew I was called to educate and uplift others.

In 2022, during my undergraduate studies, I discovered the Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation (AYTEF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of underserved youth through tennis and education. Their vision—to serve through sport so that young people can achieve without limit, on the court, in the classroom, and in life—deeply resonated with me. I joined the organization as a Life-Skills Coordinator at a time when AYTEF did not yet have a formal academic component. Leveraging my educational background, I developed and implemented a year-long curriculum focused on social-emotional learning, foundational skill development, and academic support for K–8 students, ensuring each child was supported holistically, both on and off the court.

Within six months, I was promoted to Academic & Enrichment Coordinator. After graduating in Spring 2024, I pursued my goal of becoming a public school teacher and began teaching 3rd grade full-time. However, my connection to AYTEF remained strong. I continued working part-time as the organization’s first Program Director, balancing both roles while deepening my understanding of mission-driven work within the nonprofit and youth sports sectors.

Over the course of three years, I discovered a new passion—one I hadn’t envisioned for myself. I fell in love with the impact and potential of grassroots nonprofit work. In 2025, I made the decision to transition into AYTEF full-time as Program Director, fully committing to growing the organization and expanding its reach.

In just one year, I designed and launched a new initiative, Tennis in Schools, aimed at removing barriers to access for Title I students. This program provided free tennis and educational enrichment opportunities directly within schools, eliminating both financial and transportation challenges. In its first year alone, the program served more than 65 students. Alongside this work, I supported the Executive Director in program design, implementation, staff management, and revenue growth—gaining valuable experience in organizational leadership. In 2025, my work supported AYTEF to serve 498 unique youth, including 224 first-time tennis players.

In March 2026, following the departure of our Executive Director, I stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director while continuing to serve as Program Director. Taking on executive-level responsibilities at just 24 years old has been both humbling and empowering—especially as an Asian woman in the youth sports industry, where representation in leadership is still growing. It’s a responsibility I carry with pride, knowing that my presence can help expand what leadership looks like for the next generation.

This transition has allowed me to expand my perspective, gaining hands-on experience in fundraising, donor engagement, grant writing, and strategic planning to support AYTEF’s sustainable growth.

I did not grow up as an athlete, nor did I initially see myself in the world of sports. Yet today, I find myself in a leadership role within the youth sports nonprofit sector—living a dream I never knew I had. Through this work, I am helping ensure that young people, especially those from historically under-resourced communities, have access to opportunities I never had. While my path may have shifted from the traditional classroom, I am still fulfilling my purpose as an educator—just through a different, and deeply impactful, lens.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working in the nonprofit space requires wearing multiple hats at any given moment. From program design to fundraising to day-to-day operations, the work demands flexibility, resilience, and a deep commitment to the mission. Mission-driven work, while incredibly rewarding, can also be challenging. You truly have to be passionate about what you do to sustain it long-term.

In my nearly four years with AYTEF, I have experienced both incredible highs and difficult lows. Those moments have pushed me to grow as a leader and to think more strategically about how to scale the organization and build long-term sustainability. Each challenge has reinforced my commitment to ensuring that AYTEF continues to expand its impact in a meaningful and lasting way.

Another challenge is standing out in a crowded nonprofit landscape. With so many organizations doing important work, it is critical that I represent AYTEF with clarity and pride while helping others understand the unique value of what we do. A large part of my role involves engaging individuals, grantmakers, and businesses—inviting them to see the impact firsthand and invest in our mission. This process can be slow and at times difficult, but when someone truly connects with our work and chooses to support it, it is incredibly fulfilling and reaffirms why this work matters.

Additionally, navigating leadership as an Asian woman in the youth sports space has come with its own set of challenges. There are not many leaders who look like me in this field, and at times that can feel isolating or come with added pressure to prove credibility. However, that challenge has become one of my greatest sources of motivation. It drives me to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose, not only for myself, but for the young people watching.

I am deeply aware that representation matters. By stepping into this role, I hope to expand what leadership looks like in youth sports and nonprofit spaces, and to create pathways for others—especially young women of color—to see themselves in positions of leadership. If my journey can show even one young person that their background does not limit their potential, then that is impact beyond anything measurable.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Youth Sports in Non-profit Sector

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most essential qualities for my work are adaptability, resilience, and genuine passion for the mission. In the nonprofit space. Especially in youth development and sports, you are constantly navigating change, whether it’s shifting program needs, limited resources, or new opportunities for growth. Being adaptable allows me to respond quickly and effectively while still keeping the bigger vision in mind.
Resilience is equally important. This work comes with challenges, from funding hurdles to program setbacks, and the ability to stay grounded and keep moving forward is critical. I’ve learned that growth often comes from those difficult moments, and maintaining a solutions-oriented mindset helps me lead through them.

Above all, passion drives everything I do. Mission-driven work is not easy, and without a deep belief in the impact, it can be hard to sustain. My passion for creating opportunities for youth, especially those who may not otherwise have access, keeps me motivated and intentional in my work each day.

Additionally, I believe authenticity and representation are powerful leadership qualities. As an Asian woman in the youth sports space, I lead with a strong sense of purpose and awareness of the example I am setting. It’s important to me to lead in a way that is both genuine and empowering, so that others can see themselves in positions of leadership as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aytef.org
• Instagram: AYTEF
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitranhuynh