MUSD Alumni Profile: Tom Nguyen, Milpitas High School Class of 1992
As a Vice President of Finance for Oracle Corporation, a Fortune 100 technology company, Milpitas High School Class of 1992 alumnus Tom Nguyen is primarily responsible for financial planning and analysis, as well as certain strategic activities including mergers and acquisitions.
When he looks back on his time in Milpitas Unified School District, Nguyen, who attended Curtner and Spangler Elementary Schools and Rancho Milpitas Middle School, turns to the character traits of openness, compassion and empathy as guiding principles in his finance career.
“MUSD is a wonderful reflection of the culturally rich and diverse community it serves. I grew up around kids, parents and teachers who came from other countries, spoke multiple languages, and practiced various customs and faiths,” he recalled. “I came from a place of appreciating, celebrating, and respecting uniqueness. I think the most important aspect of a leader is the ability to relate to others.”
Prior to joining Oracle, Nguyen led finance teams at Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity company, for 7 years. Earlier, he held numerous finance leadership positions while at Cisco Systems and Apple after beginning his career with global financial consultancies EY and PWC. Nguyen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UC Berkeley and a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Management.
One of his earliest MUSD inspirations came from the late Tom Carlton, a former MHS science teacher and long-distance running coach. “He was one of the first adults who treated me like an adult,” Nguyen shared. “He taught me how to take life seriously, while not taking myself too seriously.”
Nguyen took full advantage of everything MUSD had to offer, participating on the cross country and track teams; becoming an officer in student government; writing for the student newspaper; working on the yearbook; and various other student clubs.
“There’s really something for everyone, and it’s a great way to get to meet and know people in a positive environment,” said Nguyen, who holds fond memories from Honors and AP English classes. “Literature is the soul’s greatest form of expression and communication.”
For future generations of MUSD students, Nguyen, a Vietnamese refugee, shared: “Every person has value and deserves their dignity. Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent; never give it. Once you accept yourself, you'll find how easy it is to step into your own power.”