Cindy Oanh Dao was born in Saigon, Vietnam. She and her family immigrated to the United States when she was eight years old and she was raised in San Jose with her five siblings. Cindy holds a Business Administration Bachelor Degree and Curriculum and Instruction Masters degree at San Jose State University. Since the age of five, she has wanted to be a teacher to make changes and provide a safe, healthy, and welcoming learning environment for all students.

Cindy loves to cook, garden, and do art and crafts. She has three grown sons who are busy studying or exploring the world. When she and the boys are together, they enjoy traveling, camping, hiking, or visiting historical places.