“I lead with heart. I lead with understanding, but most importantly, compassion. With stories, for me, you learn a lot about character, integrity, how you think, and underneath that’s the real you.”
“As a young kid, you’re looking forward to hope more than nostalgic… I wanted to see the world. I’m no different than any young kid, and I knew staying would hinder everything. It wouldn’t have given me the possibility.”

Lea Tran’s hope and her faith in new possibilities is what gave her the strength to board a refugee boat at 16 years old on May 3, 1979. Lea, along with her parents and siblings, had made the difficult decision to flee a communist controlled Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon, in search of a prosperous new life in America. For seven days, Lea, her family, and hundreds of Vietnamese and Chinese refugees braced the tempestuous oceans of Asia, knowing that any day could be their last. What would follow once they touched land would be eight months in refugee camps all along the Malaysian and Indonesian islands, relocating to four different camps until finally, on January 2, 1980, Lea and her family boarded a Boeing 747 jumbo jet to America.

Despite the dangers and tribulations of their journey, Lea knew that her family had made the right decision, and the reward was a new life.
The first ten years were the most difficult for Lea and her family, but these years would become the foundation of Lea’s own leadership journey later in her life. No one in her family spoke English, except for Lea, who had learned very little during her schooling. As the eldest child of a traditional Chinese family, Lea had a responsibility to her family, one that only grew more with their new life in America. Lea became the sole translator for the family, rotating back and forth between English, and Chinese dictionaries, managing the families’ finances and communicating with the outside world on behalf of her family. Lea’s first home in America, Onamia, Minnesota, was one of great happiness and comfort. Sponsored by the local churches, Lea and her family lived in a fully furnished home, with food, toys, and books for her and her siblings.
“The world could have collapsed, and we wouldn’t care because that was heaven,” said Lea when reminiscing on her time in Onamia. The compassion and support shown to Lea and her family by the community of Onamia left a lasting impact on them and gave Lea and her siblings a chance to be kids again, free of the oppressive communist regime in Vietnam. Yet with a population of under 1,000 residents, Lea and her family knew their home in Onamia was not permanent. After six months, the family made the courageous move to Philadelphia, a place that would shape Lea’s life, marking the start of her personal journey to finding her true self.
The experience that awaited Lea in Philadelphia would be a defining chapter of her life. Though the six months in Minnesota were comfortable, Lea and her family were just beginning to brace for the challenges of assimilation into America. Growing up in a traditional Chinese household, Lea was raised to be obedient, with the family always coming first. Here she was, thrust into a culture rooted in individualism, where individual voices mattered and were heard. The balance between Chinese and American culture became a constant battle in her brain, one that she was forced to navigate as her family’s translator. There were times when Lea had to defy her parents’ beliefs and traditions in secret to secure her family housing and work in Philadelphia, something she would have never dreamed of attempting in Vietnam. However, this was something she knew she had to do for the sake of her family.
“Don’t hold onto resentment or bitterness. Every hardship is a lesson waiting to be learned. If you can recognize and understand that lesson, challenges can turn into opportunities. Coming from a place of struggle often deepens your appreciation for life.”
In addition to her family’s challenges, Lea was navigating her own obstacles in the social realms of American life. She was an honors student but was often afraid to speak up in classes, opting for hours of work after school learning the material instead of asking a question in the classroom. These were times of deep isolation for Lea due to the cultural barriers she faced. She could not contribute to conversations at lunchtime about what was going on in the news or gossip about popular culture and entertainment with her peers. This feeling carried through her schooling until her time in college at Villanova University when she began to break out of her shell.
“I’m building slowly and getting out of my shell a little more each time”, said Lea when talking about the ownership of her own voice. “I’ve learned how to ask, how to speak, and I’m still learning, but now I’m a little more vocal. I’m not shy about it. I initiate conversation now.”
Lea’s transformative years at Villanova were marked by exhilarating highs and challenging moments. Studying with a degree in Chemistry, she became the first in her family to attain a college education, a milestone that held profound personal significance. Reflecting on her time at Villanova, Lea cherishes the enduring impact of the friendships she forged and the supportive community that became her foundation. “What Villanova did for me,” she reflects, “was my transformational place, where I found my identity and proudly earned my diploma.”

However, tragedy struck when Lea’s father suffered two strokes at the age of 50, while she was away at college. His passing prompted Lea to take a six-month break from her studies to support her grieving family. As the eldest, she assumed a new leadership role, providing both financial support and emotional guidance during this period of uncertainty. This experience profoundly shaped her understanding of responsibility and leadership, echoing the strength and guidance her father had provided throughout their lives, including their journey as refugees. After graduation, Lea embarked on a fulfilling career as a research chemist with major pharmaceutical companies, dedicating nearly two decades to groundbreaking work. Her contributions were pivotal, including her involvement in the development of a drug critical for treating HIV/AIDS in 1998.
While externally leading what appeared to be a typical life, raising a loving family with her cherished husband, her first love, Lea carried the weight of unresolved grief over her father’s death. The guilt of not fully honoring his memory and teachings weighed heavily on her heart.
The financial and emotional strain her family endured after her father’s passing left a lasting impression on Lea. Years later, when her husband suffered a stroke, these feelings resurfaced, reinforcing the importance of financial preparedness and security. As refugees without life insurance, Lea’s family faced additional hardships, a realization that fueled her determination to advocate for financial education, particularly among women in her community.
Driven by her personal experiences and a commitment to make a difference, Lea founded TSAI Living Benefits. Through her company, she provides essential resources and education to middle Americans, particularly women, highlighting the value of life insurance and ensuring that others do not face the same uncertainties her family endured.
Lea’s journey from personal loss to advocacy and entrepreneurship is a testament to her resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to empowering her community and making a lasting impact on those around her.
“Life is all about evolving and adapting to change. If you can embrace change and turn it into something positive, society will create a better environment for you to thrive.”
“It feels like a calling. Life has truly prepared me for this moment—to be a speaker, an influencer, a leader. My journey as a refugee, transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur, all of it has shaped me profoundly. I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned so others can avoid the hardships I faced. The stories we share define us, and I find great joy in listening to others’ stories and guiding them to recognize the power of their own existence.”
“I had an epiphany this January: beyond sharing my story as a speaker, I realized I have a solution that can provide people with peace of mind for the future. It’s crucial for individuals to start planning for their health now rather than later. Many women lack the necessary education and information. My mission with this company is to empower women with knowledge, so when life’s challenges arise, they can focus on caring for their families without the fear of financial hardship, such as potential foreclosure, disrupted college plans for their children, or uncertainties about retirement security in their later years.”
Lea reflects on her remarkable journey—from refugee to organic chemist after college, to entrepreneur, author, speaker, and now advocate for women’s physical, mental, and financial well-being. Her path is both a journey and a quest, marked by continuous evolution and purposeful leadership. The most rewarding aspect of Lea’s work is the opportunity to tell her story through her memoir, I Did Not Miss the Boat. The freedom to materialize her story into words and to own that story has become a therapeutic process for Lea, allowing her to come to terms with her experience. Externally, sharing her story has helped to provide clarity to other refugees from Vietnam whose stories are still being discovered. Most importantly, her memoir has served as a beacon of truth for all refugees and immigrants, shedding light on the very real stories of the courageous people who have and continue to risk their lives for a better tomorrow. Lea’s work is an example of why these stories should be shared because of the good they can bring. Because of her willingness to share and own her story, Lea found her life’s calling.
“Don’t hold onto resentment or bitterness. Every hardship is a lesson waiting to be learned. If you can recognize and understand that lesson, challenges can turn into opportunities. Coming from a place of struggle often deepens your appreciation for life. Take that knowledge, be brave, and embrace growth fearlessly. Life is all about evolving and adapting to change. If you can embrace change and turn it into something positive, society will create a better environment for you to thrive. When you push through fear and pursue your dreams, do it with passion and love. Approach your endeavors with intention, and success will follow naturally.”

Through sharing her story, Lea hopes to not just impact those around her, but to inspire the next generation. Lea noted that she wants her son and her grandchildren to know her story just as well as other immigrants and Americans. Her story has the power to change perspectives, facilitate conversations, and open minds that were once closed off to other people or ideas. It is through her story and stories alike that real change can grow, creating a greater understanding between different cultures in America.
“This country is built on refugees and immigrants, a mosaic of cultures from around the world. There’s no need to fear those who are different—they may dress or eat differently, but that diversity is what makes our nation unique and beautiful. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we all share a common longing for love, belonging, and the desire to make meaningful contributions to society.”
Lea’s hope is that through her work and leadership, she can inspire others to incorporate compassion into their perspectives. The driving force in Lea’s life since the moment she stepped onto the refugee boat on May 3, 1979, has been compassion and love. It is what provided her with the courage to make her journey and continue this journey of life once in America. Her faith in the power of compassion and love serves as a motivation for her leadership, but also the force that motivates her to begin and cherish each day.
“There are many messages I believe can benefit people: gratitude and understanding that ours is a world filled with love. This love will carry on for decades, even centuries.”
Images courtesy of Lea Tran.
Captured July 2024.