Richard Tran
Los Angeles,CA
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
School on Wheels
Los Angeles, CA
07.2024 - Current
- Leads finance, operations, program, IT, and development functions for a nonprofit serving students experiencing homelessness.
- Acts as a key strategic partner to the Executive Director and board.
- Directs budgeting, reporting, and cash flow management for a $3.4M —100% philanthropy-driven— operating budget.
- Analyzes monthly P&L, balance sheet, and donor revenue reports for board oversight and funder compliance.
- Leads program design, innovation, and evaluation to ensure academic impact, including quantitative and qualitative growth benchmarks and grant deliverables.
- Directs cross-functional teams, including IT, finance, program, and regional operations, fostering a high-performance and mission-aligned culture.
- Partners with the development team to secure and manage funding streams, ensuring sustainability.
- Cultivates strategic relationships with schools, districts, and the California Department of Education.
- Guides the recruitment, retention, and training of our volunteer workforce of 1,200+.
- Serves as Acting Executive Director in ED’s absence.
General Manager, Bay Area
THINK Together
CA
02.2022 - 05.2024
- Served as regional executive, overseeing 51 programs across 37 sites and 4 districts, leading 300 employees to serve 4,200+ children daily.
- Expanded operating budget from $5.8M to $17.7M by growing existing district partnerships and securing new contracts.
- Designed and implemented strategic plans, regional calendars, and organizational OKRs in collaboration with the senior executive team.
- Partnered with grants and development teams to secure ongoing philanthropy and corporate support.
- Ensured compliance and program excellence across grants (ASES, ELOP, LCAP, corporate) during a time of 3x growth.
- Strengthened culture, employee retention, and staff development while maintaining financial accountability and program quality.
- Built relationships with district leaders, community partners, and elected officials to enhance organizational influence.
- Served on the advisory and planning committee for the County Office of Education’s Expanded Learning Division.
Director of Program & Operations, Riverside County
THINK Together
, CA
09.2020 - 02.2022
- Supervised and developed 5 second-level supervisors who oversaw 300 employees.
- Co-led the Riverside County Region, consisting of 92 sites across 9 districts.
- Supported in leading business sustainability and development efforts by securing new contracts and augmenting existing contracts.
- Managed approximately $9.4M budget (e.g., ASES, ASES Kids Code, ASSETS, 21st CLCC, and LCAP).
- Partnered with city government and five school districts to launch 46 in-person K–12 learning hubs, providing critical academic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Area Director
Boys & Girls Club of Whittier
Whittier, CA
04.2019 - 09.2020
- Designed and launched a new service delivery model that expanded organizational footprint and unlocked new funding streams by securing and opening school-site–based programs across local districts.
- Directed daily operations and program quality across multiple sites, ensuring consistent programmatic excellence and compliance.
- Partnered with district leaders to co-develop culturally responsive curriculum aligned with pacing guides and state standards, improving relevance and adoption.
- Oversaw $2M program budget, aligning resources to strategic goals.
- Built partnerships with the city and county government to secure new services and HUD grant funding.
Supervisor, Curriculum/Field Services
Boys & Girls Club of Whittier
Whittier, CA
02.2018 - 04.2019
- Spearheaded program design, curriculum development, and staff training, elevating instructional quality and consistency across all elementary programs.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised field staff, building a team culture of accountability and student-focused outcomes.
- Managed compliance and quality assurance for a $1.3M budget, ensuring adherence to funder requirements.
- Built partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and businesses to increase stakeholder engagement and resource contributions.
Adjunct Education Professor
Whittier College
01.2020 - 12.2020
Senior Property Adjuster
Engle Martin & Associates
01.2017 - 12.2019
Technical Specialist
Travelers Insurance
01.2015 - 12.2017
Store Manager
Verizon
01.2014 - 12.2015
Site Coordinator, Orange County
THINK Together
01.2012 - 12.2014
Education
Master of Arts - Education
Whittier College
Whittier, CA01.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Studies in Social Justice & Social Change
Whittier College
Whittier, CA01.2011
Skills
- Strategic Finance & Operations Leadership
- Program Design
- Program Management
- Program Evaluation
- Fund Development
- Grant Oversight
- Staff Development
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Data-Informed Decision Making
Timeline
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
School on Wheels
07.2024 - Current
General Manager, Bay Area
THINK Together
02.2022 - 05.2024
Director of Program & Operations, Riverside County
THINK Together
09.2020 - 02.2022
Adjunct Education Professor
Whittier College
01.2020 - 12.2020
Area Director
Boys & Girls Club of Whittier
04.2019 - 09.2020
Supervisor, Curriculum/Field Services
Boys & Girls Club of Whittier
02.2018 - 04.2019
Senior Property Adjuster
Engle Martin & Associates
01.2017 - 12.2019
Technical Specialist
Travelers Insurance
01.2015 - 12.2017
Store Manager
Verizon
01.2014 - 12.2015
Site Coordinator, Orange County
THINK Together
01.2012 - 12.2014
Master of Arts - Education
Whittier College
Bachelor of Arts - Studies in Social Justice & Social Change
Whittier College