June 16, 2006

Evergreen’s Kim Vu: A woman of distinction

Successful businesswoman and community
leader paves the way for young girls

By Michelle Hecht
Staff Writer

Evergreen resident Kim Vu strives to go above and beyond what is expected. According to the 28-year-old businesswoman and community leader, that is just who she is.

“I push myself really hard to excel and do my best in everything I do,” said Vu. “Whether it’s professional or personal, I always try to put 100 percent into everything.”

She also sees it as a means to give back to her parents, immigrants from Vietnam, who struggled to provide Vu and her younger sister with educational opportunities in the United States.

“I work really hard and it’s my way of thanking them for all their hard work,” said Vu.

Born in Amarillo, Texas, Vu grew up in San Jose after moving to California at the age of 9. The family eventually settled in the Evergreen area where they still live today.

“I think the possibilities are endless. Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done,” said Evergreen resident Kim Vu, a successful businesswoman, community leader and role model for young girls.

“We had our challenges when I was younger, but over time we’ve been very fortunate that with the struggle came success,” said Vu.

Just one month after graduating from San Jose State University, she landed a position at Technology Credit Union. Six months into the job, she applied to be a manager in the private banking division, which she helped launch. In just four years, her leadership and vision in the department helped take it from conception to $400 million in managed assets for over 1,500 members.

“That's been very exciting...to see it come to its fruition and be very successful,” she said.

Last August, Vu received a promotion to assistant vice president for the division.

“If you're fortunate and blessed enough to have them (opportunities) then you should take advantage of them,” said Vu. “Then give back with what you can.”

All her years growing up, Vu’s parents instilled the importance of giving back to society.

“In order to create value in your own life you have to be able to contribute to others,” said Vu.

She continues her family’s commitment to helping others through tireless volunteerism. She works with numerous civic, business and community organizations, including the National Association of Women Business Owners, Junior League of San Jose and the Federation of Vietnamese Americans of Northern California, where she acts as the spokeswoman and media relations liaison.

Girls for a Change, a non-profit organization that serves Bay Area middle and high school girls, holds special meaning for Vu.

“The reason why I have built such a close relationship with GFC is because (of) my values and my belief in empowering young women to be able to have their own voice and understand that they have something to contribute to society,” she said.

The organization pairs teams of girls with local businesswomen to tackle concerns within their community. Each year begins with a summit where approximately 1,300 girls learn about issues they have selected, such as domestic violence, hunger and neighborhood safety. They then design and implement projects to resolve the issue.

According to Vu, the girls do everything themselves, including public relations and acquiring funds and support from local legislators.

“At the end of their project year, they’ve been able to create a solution for something...it's such an amazing progression to watch the girls go through that,” she said.

For the past few years, Vu has coached a group of eight girls. She currently works on various GFC committees and does extensive fundraising.

Serving on the Board of Governors for the Capital Club – a private business club for leaders and entrepreneurs of Silicon Valley – as well as a founding member of the Capital Club’s Young Executives Board, Vu is joined by fellow young professionals in a quest to help the community.

Together, they collect gently used business attire for donation to the back-to-work programs of CityTeam Ministries and Sacred Heart Community Service. According to Vu, a strong relationship has evolved between the organizations.

“It’s neat to know we’re able to help someone get back to work,” said Vu. “It feels good when you go back to work and you’re stepping in with a nice outfit on and you have your portfolio.”

Balancing a full personal and professional life, Vu still finds the time to attend Saint Mary’s College in Moraga to earn a master’s degree in leadership. She is fascinated with the discipline’s many theories and how people can become better leaders within their communities.

“I have passion and love for what I do and that’s what keeps me going,” said Vu, who jokes that she does not sleep, given her hectic schedule.

Vu likes the ambiguity of not knowing what is next for her, but says she can envision herself as an 80-year-old woman, content with her life, knowing that she tried things and explored life, traveled, wrote a book and had a business.

No matter what endeavors she pursues, Vu wants to make certain she challenges herself and create roads for young girls.

“Regardless of what her (a young girl’s) situation is, her socioeconomic background, whatever her ethnicity is, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “...Whatever you want to do, if you put your heart into it then you can do it.”