Assemblymember Nguyen served as the Executive Director of Asian Resources, Inc. (ARI) to ensure that all communities, especially the low-income, immigrant, refugee, limited English-speaking youth, formerly incarcerated and undocumented, have access to support and services to help them get one step closer to self-sufficiency. She was elected to the Elk Grove City Council in 2017 and was the first Asian American woman in this role. She has lived, worked, and served the Sacramento and Elk Grove communities almost all her life. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees who fled the Vietnam War by boat, she grew up in Sacramento's Little Saigon district and attended Sacramento schools before graduating from Sacramento State University.

Assemblymember Nguyen serves on the Assembly Committees on Business and Professions; Governmental Organization; Insurance; Public Employment and Retirement; and Public Safety. She also serves as the Vice Chair for the AAPI Legislative Caucus.

In addition to her legislative duties, she spearheaded crucial initiatives aimed at advancing women's health rights and healthcare standards nationwide. Notably, she led the passage of Assembly Bill 1646 (AB 1646), ensuring comprehensive training for OB-GYN medical students across the country, particularly focusing on abortion procedures. Her dedication to promoting equitable and accessible healthcare underscores her commitment to serving the needs of all Californians.