Gary Lu is a finance executive, educator, and creative leader passionate about helping young people design lives rooted in identity, values, and purpose. As the founder of Forge Optima, Gary draws from his nontraditional journe, spanning corporate finance, public company leadership, and the performing arts to build a space where students can explore who they are before life-defining decisions are made.

A proud UCLA graduate and long-time mentor, Gary has led finance and strategy at both public and private companies, earning recognition as a finalist for multiple CFO of the Year awards, including honors from the LA Times and Orange County Business Journal. His professional path reflects the core values behind Forge Optima: curiosity, courage, and intentional growth.

Gary founded Forge Optima to bridge the gap between education and real-world readiness, empowering students from elementary through college with the tools, relationships, and experiences they need to thrive. Through mentorship, storytelling, and experiential learning, he brings together a collective of leaders and creatives committed to helping the next generation move forward with clarity, confidence, and community.

Audrey Abrica is a dedicated advocate for youth development with over a decade of experience in education. She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an MS in Educational Technology, equipping her with a deep understanding of the support and opportunities students need to thrive.

In the Orange Unified School District, Mrs. Abrica has worked with a wide range of learners, including GATE, TK, and intervention students—most notably teaching 10–12-year-olds for eight years at a Title I school. Her work reflects a strong commitment to equitable access and student success.

As a District TOSA in Educational Technology, she leads professional development to empower educators and improve learning environments. She also served as Board President of the Orange County Reading Association, underscoring her dedication to literacy and educational leadership.

Mrs. Abrica’s blend of classroom expertise and instructional leadership makes her a powerful force for positive change in education.

Amy Tran Lu is a dedicated education professional currently serving as an Instructional Specialist in the Orange Unified School District, where she supports and enhances instructional practices for both educators and students.

A graduate of the University of California, Riverside (UCR), Ms. Lu holds a Master of Education and credentials in both multiple subjects and special education, reflecting her commitment to inclusive, student-centered teaching.

Before stepping into her current leadership role, Ms. Lu spent over a decade in the classroom, including ten years as a special education teacher. She also taught in general education settings, including many years at Sycamore Elementary School. Her outstanding work earned her the distinction of Teacher of the Year—twice—recognizing her exceptional impact in the classroom.

Her journey from educator to instructional leader reflects deep expertise in pedagogy, curriculum, and student support—making her an invaluable contributor to the Orange Unified community.

Dr. Minh Tran is the Director of Racial Equity Research Partnerships at the USC Race and Equity Center and a lecturer in the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies. For 20 years he has taught courses in mediation, conflict resolution, intercultural communication, and dialogue. Through UCLA Health Sciences and the USC Equity Institutes, he provides professional development for healthcare providers, college leaders, faculty, and staff. 

The guiding principles of his teachings are to reduce prejudice, increase empathy, dismantle systems of inequality, and build alliances and coalitions. His research seeks to understand how to identify and fully develop STEM talent by examining culturally responsive strategies related to mentorship, teaching, assessment and evaluation, and departmental culture.

He has published research on Asian American masculinity and gender identity development, which has been cited in the New York Times and Chronicle of Higher Education. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from UCLA.