Award-Winning Journalist. Financial Educator. Community Advocate.
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After an award-winning career in television news, Leyna Nguyen discovered that some of the most important stories weren't being told on the evening news—they were unfolding around kitchen tables as families struggled to make life-changing financial decisions.
Today, Leyna is a financial educator and founder of VanMay Financial, where she helps individuals, families, and small business owners better understand retirement planning, healthcare costs, long-term care, wealth protection, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Her passion is making complex financial topics easy to understand so people can make confident, informed decisions. She works alongside her husband, Denny Hooten, whose background in healthcare finance, economics, and investment management complements Leyna's educational approach. Together, they help families develop thoughtful financial strategies that address not only growing wealth, but also protecting it through every stage of life. Their philosophy is simple: education comes first. Whether someone ultimately becomes a client or simply leaves with a better understanding of their options, their goal is to empower people with the knowledge to make decisions that are right for their unique circumstances. |
Leyna Nguyen, On-Camera
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Leyna Nguyen is a five-time Emmy Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of television broadcasting experience. A trusted and familiar face in Southern California, she made broadcast history as the first journalist to anchor the news on two stations in the same market, serving the unprecedented KCBS/KCAL-TV duopoly.
Throughout her career, Leyna has worked as an anchor, reporter, producer, and storyteller, covering everything from breaking news and investigative reports to inspiring human-interest stories. Her work has taken her beyond the newsroom into documentaries, radio, live events, and community outreach, giving her a unique ability to connect with audiences and communicate complex topics with clarity and authenticity. When Hollywood needs a realistic television journalist, they've often called on Leyna. She has appeared as a news anchor in more than 35 television shows and feature films, including NCIS, Supergirl, Austin Powers, The District, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Born in Vietnam, Leyna came to the United States with her family as a refugee in 1975. That journey has shaped her lifelong commitment to serving her community through education, storytelling, and advocacy. Today, whether she's interviewing a public official, leading a community workshop, or speaking about financial wellness, Leyna brings the same curiosity, integrity, and passion for helping people understand the issues that matter most. (And yes—she's still a loyal Minnesota Vikings fan.) |
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Leyna Nguyen, Off-Camera
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When she's not in front of the camera, Leyna is passionate about serving her community through education, philanthropy, and mentorship. She is the founder of Love Across the Ocean (LATO),a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for children and providing humanitarian relief to communities in need around the world.
Continuing her passion for educating others, Leyna also produces content through her YouTube Channel where she helps individuals and families better understand retirement planning, Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, life insurance, and other financial topics that are often misunderstood. Her goal is to simplify complex concepts so people can make informed, confident decisions about their future. Whether she's leading a community workshop, mentoring financial professionals, supporting charitable causes, or creating educational content, Leyna's mission remains the same: to empower people with knowledge so they can make confident decisions and build a more secure future for themselves and the people they love. |
