Founding Members

Mr. Tran Duc Canh – US Education Expert

“I want to witness Vietnamese students thrive globally through practical and impactful work, beginning with a thorough assessment of each individual's talents, potential, and developmental needs.

Next is helping parents and students plan successful study abroad by providing accurate and appropriate information aligned with the student's development direction.

Finally, providing guidance on choosing majors and selecting the most suitable schools to ensure students' academic success and personal development.”

Mr. Tran Duc Canh has lived, studied, and worked in the US for 46 years. He has over 10 years of experience as an Admissions Committee member at Harvard University and has managed policy and overseen Human Resource Development departments for state governments. He is a member of numerous educational organizations, Education Boards, and University Councils in Massachusetts.

Ms. Dao Nhat Mai

Ms. Dao Nhat Mai is a financial expert with over 20 years of experience, including 12 years in management roles at Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. She served as the Director of SSI Securities Nguyen Cong Tru for 10 years and is proud to have contributed to the development of the Vietnamese stock market during its initial boom.

Not only is she an expert in finance, Ms. Mai was also a Board Member and one of the founding shareholders of VSTAR School (Sao Viet Quan 7). She has nearly 10 years of experience advising and managing a consultancy specializing in US,Canada, and Australia study and immigration.

Combining extensive financial knowledge with abundant experience in consultancy, Ms. Mai plays a crucial role in supporting business owners seeking to expand their enterprises internationally, as well as the next generation of Vietnamese students aspiring to study at top universities in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Currently, Ms. Mai resides in both the US and Vietnam, assisting parents and students in the Study Abroad and Immigration sectors. She is dedicated to ensuring their success by helping them make informed decisions that foster personal growth in global academic and business environments.

Mr. Bung Tran – Tran Vu Nguyen

Saigon Innovation Hub – Việt Nam

Mr. Tran Vu Nguyen is currently the Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Board of Saigon Innovation Hub and the Flying Fish Investment Fund. He was the former Director of the DNES Business Incubator in Da Nang and the author of the bestselling book “Vietnam's Top Workers," along with numerous other books on entrepreneurship and career development.

He has made significant contributions to the Vietnamese startup community for over 12 years. Having managed several leading enterprises, he has served as an investor, policy advisor, and facilitated connections between international startup support programs and Vietnam. Mr. Bung is also a frequent lecturer and speaker at over 200 events on topics such as innovation, communications, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and life skills.

His dedication to work and meditation practices has afforded Mr. Bung many opportunities to explore the world. He considers himself an environmental activist, passionate about connecting people and nature, particularly in the realm of entrepreneurship and startups, through the lens of Earth science – a self-regulating approach.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University, Jonathan Ginsberg has over 10 years of experience as an admissions consultant, advising students worldwide. He provides personalized guidance and support,leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience to help students gain admission to top universities such as Harvard,University of Chicago, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and many other leading institutions.

A former President and CEO of Fortune 500 companies and numerous business ventures in the US and China for over 30 years, including his role as President of Norm Thompson Outfitters.
Mr. Protto was recognized by INC Magazine as a Global Entrepreneur with a vast professional network encompassing retail, international trade, and finance.

A former CEO of IBM
Senior executive trainer at Korn Ferry International
Currently provides leadership training and consulting for government officials and senior managers.

Dave holds Bachelor’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and conducted postdoctoral research jointly at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and New York University.
A passionate educator, Dave leverages his foundational medical research expertise to guide students through today’s complex academic and social landscapes. With a background in teaching Chemistry and Biology, Dave is committed to improving society through educational reform, social justice, and cancer research. He is dedicated to empowering the next generation of thinkers and doers, providing guidance on profile building and highlighting their unique strengths.

Matthew Zonis finds joy in working with students worldwide to help them choose and gain admission to the best-fit universities. Matthew began his counseling career at Wellspring International School in Vietnam, where he established the school’s first International University Counseling Center and served as its inaugural International Counseling Director.After his time in Vietnam, Matthew continued working in university counseling in Asia, focusing on supporting students preparing for life in the US and helping them refine their storytelling and persuasive writing skills. Currently, Matthew has returned to the US and volunteers his time at ScholarMatch, where he primarily works with first-generation, low-income students with exceptional academic achievements, guiding them through the application process to the most selective universities in the US.

Miranda Culp grew up in Los Angeles, where she spent time engaging with artists, writers, actors, and teachers. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Goddard College and spent her formative years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2013, she has made Sacramento her home, where she has developed her career in writing, editing, and trauma-informed yoga instruction. In 2020, she became a co-owner of Amatoria Fine Art Books. Miranda has contributed to publications such as Submerge Art + Music Magazine and Dame Magazine. She is also the author of “The Brunt," a collection of short stories, and “Becoming the City of Citrus Heights," a local history book.

Ms. Pravda has served as Director of College Counseling, Assistant Head of School, and School Counselor at top schools in Santa Monica, California, Westchester, New York, and Long Island, New York. She has also conducted interviews for the Admissions Offices of Barnard College and Brandeis University and served on the boards of various state and local educational advisory councils. Ms. Pravda holds two Master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Under Ms. Pravda’s guidance, students embark on a journey of self-discovery while optimizing their academic choices and plans.

Paul is a passionate educator. Since 2001, he has successfully prepared students for standardized tests such as the SSAT,PSAT, TACHS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, DAT, and MCAT. In addition to authoring test preparation books, he has over 1,000 hours of experience advising students on medical school admissions. From 2003 to 2011, he taught test preparation courses at the Kaplan Test Prep Center affiliated with Harvard and MIT. In his free time, Paul collaborates with esteemed colleagues at the MIT Machine Learning Mind Project to develop an implantable brain device. His ultimate goal is to continue fostering a network of alumni from top-tier institutions. He attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the State University of New York at Albany.

David Rauf is passionate about writing and helping students achieve their dreams. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland. David Rauf has pursued a successful career in journalism, with extensive experience working for renowned organizations such as Thomson Reuters,Associated Press, Politico, and other notable publications. David has a keen eye for identifying the unique stories and strengths of each student and presenting them in a compelling and engaging manner.

Makena Andler was born and raised in a small town in Southern California. In high school, she was a member of the diving team and choir, and served as class president. She graduated with honors, achieving a perfect score of 2400 on the SAT. Currently, she is a third-year student at UC Berkeley, where she is double majoring in Political Science and Molecular and Cell Biology. She recently scored in the 99th percentile on the MCAT.