Meet Lisa Tran | Wife, mother of 3, higher education professional, health & fitness enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Tran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As I think about finding balance and maintaining balance, I think of the four “F’s” that guide my priorities throughout my life: faith, family, fitness, and food. I credit my parents for instilling in my brothers and sisters and I, the importance of living a healthy and fulfilling life whether it be praying and going to church regularly, school, exercising (mind and body), and enjoying all types of food.

Right now, I am working full-time, pursuing my doctorate while raising 3 young children. That may sound a lot, and every so often I ask myself “what did I get myself into “, but I view my life as “full” rather than “busy” and the relationships that I have built throughout my academic and professional pursuits makes it all worth it. People who know me well, know that I love routines. Creating a sustainable routine has allowed me to fit in daily exercise (even on vacation) and maintain a healthy diet. I exercise every morning because it not only allows me to stay healthy physically, but also mentally. It is my protected time where I can center myself without distractions.

Prior to having children, my husband and I prioritized 1-on-1 time and travel. By doing so, the two of us continue to stay connected as a couple and now as a family of 5. With both of us working outside of the home, we focus on the quality time we have with each other such as family dinners and extended vacations. At the end of the day, I would never say I live a balanced life, but rather a full life that is centered around my priorities: faith, family, fitness, and food.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I lead Corporate Engagement & Strategic Partnerships at The Cox School of Business at SMU. I connect with companies/organizations who are looking to partner in areas such as talent recruitment, talent development, and experiential learning opportunities. I love what I do at SMU Cox because my role is centered on building and maintaining relationships that benefit corporate and nonprofit organizations, students, the University, and the broader community.

I had no idea that I would end up working in the higher education space. I graduated from SMU with a degree in finance and my first job after graduating from college was as an assistant buyer at JCPenney and Neiman Marcus in Dallas. My husband got into graduate school and we moved to Boston. I was faced with the decision of continuing a career in retail or pivot to another career. I was blessed with the opportunity to work at Harvard Business School, and decided to stay in academia ever since. As a native Texan, I was reluctant to move to Boston. However, I fell in love with the city and a career that I would never have considered if it wasn’t for the move. When we returned to Dallas, I knew I wanted to stay in academia and pursued a M.Ed. in Higher Education at UNT. After graduating with my masters, I joined SMU in 2011 and have held multiple roles including career coaching, ultimately leading the Career Management Center prior to transitioning into a newly created role and department and currently serve as the Managing Director of Corporate Engagement & Strategic Partnerships.

The biggest lesson that I have learned through my career journey is that the answer is always “no” if you do not apply for a role. I often think back to all the roles I didn’t apply to earlier in my career because I thought I was underqualified. If I didn’t apply for the role at HBS, I would not be a higher education professional and currently pursuing my doctorate in that field today. My mantra is “there’s never a perfect time, but there’s a better time” (to have children, pursue a new hobby, degree, career opportunity). Life is a series of calculated risks that will inevitably result in successes and failures, but never stop trying something new. Again, the result is always “no” when you don’t even step into the ring.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Favorite Trails to run/bike in Dallas – Trinity Skyline Trail, Katy Trail, White Rock Lake Coffee Spots – Soiree, White Rhino, Magnolia Sous Le Pont, Merit, Drip, Herb’s, LaLaLand, Union, Katy Coffee Lab, Brewed + Pressed
Food – San Martin (Guatemalan in Uptown), La Vui (Vietnamese in Medical District), Zense (Thai in Irving), Kirin Court (Dim Sum in Richardson), Cafe 43 (lunch only at the George W. Bush Presidential Library), Pecan Lodge (Texas BBQ),
Eno’s Pizza (Bishop Arts)

Arts & Entertainment – Dallas Musicals in Fair Park, live concerts at American Airlines Center and Toyota Music Factory, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Perot Science Museum, Arboretum. Dallas Zoo

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my husband, Jimmy Tran, who actually recommended me for this Shoutout series. He is our family’s master planner and biggest cheerleader that makes my “full” life manageable.

I also want to recognize my two wonderful parents, Richard and Irene Panchasarp, who left their home country (Thailand), started successful businesses, raised 5 children, and now helping us raise our 3 children. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for their hard work, love, and sacrifice and I am eternally grateful to them.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisapantran/

Image Credits
Layla Vela