We were lucky to catch up with Aline Tran recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Aline thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?

When I began forming the Send A Miracle team, I sought out individuals who were not only caring but also dedicated to our mission of helping to uplift and empower impoverished communities. I engaged in conversations with people from diverse walks of life, and after an extensive search, I found our first volunteer, Aden Bertisch. Aden played a crucial role by establishing our social media presence and launching our campaign. With Aden’s arrival, our team began its gradual expansion, attracting individuals from entirely different backgrounds who were eager to join our cause. It was truly inspiring to witness.

Our team now comprises members from all across the United States. From the very beginning, I founded this organization with the belief that every person has a unique contribution to offer in supporting those less fortunate. In Send A Miracle, we embrace the idea that everyone, has a seat at the table, and their ideas and voices are highly valued. I believe that this inclusive approach was the key to assembling such an exceptional team. I understood from the start that this mission could not be achieved single-handedly. However, with the support of my wonderful team, we are making a difference.

This progress is solely due to each person’s distinct and invaluable contributions. I would like to express my special thanks to Aden, Sara, Melissa, Yasmin, Ramya, and Nathaniel, who have been the pillars of Send A Miracle. I also want to extend my gratitude to all our volunteers for their dedicated efforts in making a positive impact and changing lives.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a 20-year-old young woman, juggling various roles including being a college student, nonprofit executive director, entrepreneur, and social media manager, among others. For the longest time, I didn’t believe I had entrepreneurial capabilities in me. I knew I was a hard worker, but I was also quite shy. However, something eventually became more important to me than my own comfort.

Upon returning to the U.S. after working with underprivileged children in Guatemala, I realized that my personal comfort held little significance. I understood that I needed to get out of my comfort zone in order to make a difference for those kids. Once I proved to myself that I could thrive in discomfort, a world of opportunities unfolded before me. I started to approach opportunities with a “Why not?” mindset, thinking disruptively, and honing in on my skills, implementing them into every venture I undertook.

What I am most proud of is my ability to utilize limited resources to create something remarkable. It was never about the starting point; what truly mattered was my approach and unwavering determination to grow each venture.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My journey into entrepreneurship led me to establish DMAT Development, a software development company. The idea for this venture originated when I had the chance to co-lead a project focused on creating a mobile app. It was my first real experience in applying my skills in a profit-oriented context. Unfortunately, due to external factors, the app project didn’t pan out as we had hoped. Nevertheless, this setback opened my eyes to a whole new world.

I discovered great satisfaction in meticulously planning, coordinating, and bringing software development projects to life, even though I wouldn’t classify myself as a tech expert. That’s where David Mayen entered the picture. I crossed paths with David in Guatemala, and our friendship grew rapidly. What struck me most about him was his unwavering dedication, ingenious problem-solving abilities, and exceptional talent in computer programming. I saw a spark in him that was impossible to ignore.

When I asked David about his aspirations, he initially envisioned the typical path that many people follow: securing a 9-to-5 job after completing university, one that could sustain his desired lifestyle. However, when the opportunity to create the app project came along, I knew I had to bring David on board. Even though that project didn’t work out as planned, we refused to be disheartened. I remember telling him that we could create our own opportunities, and that’s how DMAT Development came into existence.

DMAT Development is all about crafting beautifully designed software to make our clients’ visions a reality. Whether it’s a website or an application, our goal is to ensure client satisfaction through our work.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

For me, my team is everything. They are the reason Send A Miracle is thriving. Although I am the one who created Send A Miracle, they are the backbone of the organization. My job as a leader is to simply make space for each team member to thrive, give direction, and build up the team’s bond. Making space for each individual to thrive firstly requires the ability to recognize the talents in each person. When I meet someone for the first time, I observe them. I ask questions to help me understand who they are and what they love to do. Being able to understand a person’s characteristics, traits, and abilities allows me to define their strengths. Then it is my responsibility to see how we can utilize their unique abilities to make a positive difference.

Another part of my job is providing direction to the organization. As a leader, I have to take initiative. I am a strong believer in the idea that a leader should be working longer and harder than anyone else on their team. This is not because I do not delegate; I definitely do. But how could I expect for someone to dedicate themselves to something that I myself am not willing to fully dedicate myself to. I create the direction, but I ask for input. In my team, everyone has a say. If I come up with an idea, we refine it together.

The last thing that I believe helps create such a strong bond in our team is our company culture. We hold collaboration as a top priority. Everyone has valuable ideas and thoughts. So, creating a space where people feel comfortable sharing those thoughts and ideas is very important. Without an amazing team, Send A Miracle would not be what it has become.

Contact Info:

• Website: sendamiracle.org and dmatdevelopment.com
• Instagram: @sendamiracle
• Other: dmatdevelopment.com