Community

Influencing the Industry

The movers and shakers in language work share what inspires, motivates, and influences them

I

t’s a new world for professional leadership. Now, anyone with a social media account and a good idea can catch the attention of their peers. All it takes is earnestness, thoughtfulness, and willingness to put oneself out there. Oh, and a little personal charisma certainly doesn’t hurt!

But the remarkable thing about influential voices within the language industry isn’t the similarities — it’s the differences. The individuals included in this year’s list — and past lists, for that matter — hail from countries across the world. They advocate different perspectives and conduct themselves with distinct styles. Their backgrounds and specializations are as unique and diverse as they are themselves.

So what binds them together? If you can isolate it to a single factor, it must be their passion for the industry and their desire to see it thrive. But why listen to us when this year’s included influencers can express themselves in their own words.

Andrea Gonçalves Pinto

CEO, Transmaster Traduções

I’ve never thought of myself as a language industry influencer, so you can imagine my surprise when I received this invitation from MultiLingual magazine. Being included in this special list is a profound honor to me, both personally and professionally. This recognition shows how generous, collaborative, and inclusive our market is.

I have served this industry for more than 30 years, and I’ve seen it evolve at every stage. From typewriters to computers, from the first computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools to translation management systems (TMSs), machine translation and AI, my motto has always been to embrace change and seize new opportunities as technology advances. Fear is not something that guides me. I genuinely believe there will always be room for what we do, because our skills as language professionals are what move this industry forward.

One of my passions is volunteering. Associations such as Women in Localization (WL) and the Brazilian Language Industry Association helped me become a better leader and expand my perspective, and I’m truly grateful for that. Working with associations also gives me the opportunity to interact with people from different markets and to support newcomers in their career paths.

This recognition is a milestone in my career, and I would like to share it with all the professionals who work in and shape this sector: translators, proofreaders, quality control specialists, and project managers. The “hidden gems,” those who rarely get the spotlight, are the people who keep this market running. I also want to tell students and newcomers not to get discouraged and to always remember that the work we do matters!

Advertisement

Beatrice de Salles

Multilingual Journalist and Global Affairs Specialist, UNA, World Affairs Council & G100

To me, being a language industry influencer means being a bridge-builder for a profession that is essential to global society, yet too often unseen as we are considered as the silent diplomats at times. It is not about visibility for its own sake but about responsibility. It means using my voice to elevate the work of diplomats, interpreters, translators, and linguists and to remind the world that language is not simply communication, but access, dignity, and trust.

Throughout my career as a multilingual interpreter, international journalist, and cultural diplomacy specialist, I have witnessed how one phrase can shape a negotiation, prevent misunderstanding, or restore human connection.

I have had the privilege of interpreting for presidents, diplomats, global public figures, and many celebrities. These experiences reinforced a truth every linguist understands: words carry power, history, and consequence.

I have also learned that multilingualism is deeply psychological. Language is tied to identity, emotion, memory, and perception. The mind does not simply translate words, it interprets meaning through culture, lived experience, and cognitive framing. That is why interpretation is not mechanical; it is more like human intelligence in action. While technology evolves rapidly, human judgment remains irreplaceable, because cultural nuance, empathy, and ethical precision cannot be automated.

I am deeply grateful to the mentors and colleagues who guided my path and to the language community that continues to inspire me daily. To the next generation, my advice is simple: Master your craft, protect your integrity, and stay curious. Your technical skills may open doors, but your professionalism and cultural intelligence will define your influence. In diplomacy and global engagement, language is not an accessory but the foundation of trust.

Belén Agulló García

Executive Consultant of Innovation, Terra

The first lesson I learned in my yoga training course is that your goal is to serve your students. Let go of your ego. I’ve carried that principle into every stage of my career.

When I started working in game localization, I felt lucky to be in a field I loved. Shortly after, I began going to universities to give presentations and workshops on game localization. I wanted to share what I had learned, give back to the community, serve others, and empower them to thrive.

This is what I’ve been doing throughout my career: learn as much as possible and share what I know with my colleagues and students. That path led me to where I am today, as executive consultant of innovation at Terra and co-founder of the AI Localization Think Tank. In both roles, I am honored to help my peers advance in their careers.

Those who know me can tell you that I am committed to showing the value of our industry. Let’s not forget that what we do touches many people around the world every day. Thanks to our industry, people can go enjoy a movie, immerse themselves in the pages of a book, have fun playing video games, or take their child to a hospital to get the best treatment and save their life. Words matter, cultures matter, what we do matters. I look at the future with a positive attitude, and I am sure that, no matter what, the bright people in our industry will thrive.

My mission is to help others grow and grow with them — the same way others have done with me in the past. Carme Mangiron, José Ramón Calvo, Tania Méndez, Maria Loureiro, Gabriel Karandyšovský, Magda Jagucka Miller, Marina Ilari: Thank you for believing in me at different moments in my career and for making a lasting impact on it.

Bill Rivers

Principal at WP Rivers & Associates

I’ve been part of this space for my entire career and had many roles — freelance interpreter and translator, researcher, language teacher, operational leader, and for the last 14 years, lobbyist and advocate. So my first take on being an influencer is that, well, I’ve been around a while, and have some opinions that people in the industry and in positions of power (regulators, legislators, etc.) seem to listen to.

That is to say, I’m not sure how I became an influencer or what that even means. What I’ve learned is that languages matter, that they are essential to every sector of the global economy, that languages matter to the individual in profound ways, and that this industry and all of its verticals and professions remain fascinating, dynamic, moving, and fun after more than 35 years.

We’ve driven the development of AI, we’ve incorporated each technology advance and rapidly shifted how we deliver to our clients, but we’ve never wavered from our north star: making the world a better place by facilitating communication. Mentors like the late Bill Graeper (founder of Certified Languages International), Kathleen Diamond (serial entrepreneur and thought leader), Dick Brecht (co-founder of Jeenie, among many other things) have all shown by example how they’ve made the world a better place. They also demonstrate how to help our clients make their parts of the world better (and make money) while rationing the sense of wonder that working in languages brings.

My advice to the next generation has three prongs — first, bring energy and passion to your work and career, as nothing will happen without it. That can be hard to do on the daily, but it’s the cornerstone of getting engaged in your profession and in your industry through organizations like the ALC, GALA, and WL, and then advocating for yourself, your clients, our profession, and our industry.

Cecilia Enbäck

CEO, Translator Scandinavia

More than 35 years ago, a fireside conversation with my friend Gunnar set me on a path I could never have predicted. I didn’t plan to build a career in the language industry — and certainly not to become CEO of the company he founded. But what started as curiosity became commitment.

To me, being a language industry influencer is not about visibility. It’s about responsibility.

It means helping our industry navigate constant change without losing its backbone. I’ve seen the shift from early CAT tools to today’s AI-driven workflows, and the pace is only accelerating. Technology will keep evolving — that’s a given. Our job is to make sure it enhances professional expertise rather than replaces it. Languages are not commodities, even if they are sometimes treated that way. They shape trust, reputation, and ultimately business growth.

I entered this industry because of people, and I’ve stayed because of them. Long-term relationships with colleagues, partners, and clients have taught me that multilingual communication is rarely “just translation.” It is business-critical, culture-sensitive, and often closer to risk management than many realize.

Engaging in the wider industry — through board work, conferences, and conversations with students — has strengthened my views that influence is really about contributing to something bigger than your own company. When I meet the next generation, my advice is simple: Embrace technology, understand how the business works, and build real expertise. Human judgment combined with technical fluency will define who stays relevant.

I never set out to influence anyone. But if influence means helping push our industry forward while keeping its professional standards high, then I accept that role — with gratitude, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Gabriel Karandyšovský

Writer, Researcher, and Question-Asker, The Gab’s Lab

Me, an influencer? Well, then. That’ll take a second to get used to. It’s incredibly humbling. An almost out-of-body experience to think of myself as one. It’s just that I always preferred to do my work behind the scenes, letting my work do the talking or enabling others to do their best work. I guess that counts as influencing?

The more the years pass, the more I reflect on what got me this far. Here’s what I’ve come up with (ask me again in 15 years how these hold up): imagination, curiosity, exploration, and playfulness. These are the faculties I keep working on and that help me to produce my best work. Have you tried any of them? Better yet, try adding them to the job description of your next hire.

My dad wanted me to become a journalist. He knew early that I was decent at writing. So I went and did everything else (because you’re supposed to do the opposite of what your parents want, of course): sales, a dash of marketing, project management, research, consulting. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to meet many brilliant people who, knowingly or silently, nudged me in unexpected directions: try things, learn, fail, come back smarter, and do things differently. Four stand out: Nico, German, Tucker, and Libor. Thank you for your trust, freely given. And the opportunity to do the thing I love the most.

I didn’t end up a journalist. I keep writing, though. I hope you’re enjoying it, Dad.

Thank you, MultiLingual, for noticing, too. And to everyone else, thanks for reading!

Joshua Pennise

Managing Partner, The Smithson Company

To me, influence in the language industry is about scale of impact.

Every day our work determines whether someone understands a medical diagnosis, participates in a workplace decision, signs a contract knowingly, or contributes an idea that would otherwise be lost. The same systems also allow research, technology, and business innovation to move across borders and accelerate economic growth. Our field operates at the most personal and the most global levels at the same time.

As a working interpreter, I saw how communication access shapes the course of individual lives. In leadership roles across service companies, and now through the Association of Language Companies, I have the opportunity to help that impact extend beyond any single interaction by strengthening the infrastructure behind it and by lifting up individual companies striving to provide meaningful services.

I have learned that our industry is not really about language. It is about participation. When people can understand and be understood, they gain agency. When organizations can communicate across languages, ideas spread faster. Both depend on treating communication as an investment rather than a burden.

My advice to those entering this industry is to fall in love with the problem we are solving for our customers and end-consumers. You can do well by doing good in this space, but only if you truly understand the impact of your work. It’s essential to design services and products that do more than generate revenue — they should leave people better off for engaging you.

If we keep that focus, the rapid pace of political and technological disruption we face will not reduce our importance. It will clarify where we create the most value and remind us that our relevance depends on remaining essential to the problems that matter.

Ludmila Golovine

CEO, MasterWord Services, Inc.

I’m humbled and grateful to be recognized, and I want to start by acknowledging the mentors, peers, and partners who have shaped my journey and, more importantly, have helped shape this industry. I am especially thankful to leaders such as Winnie Heh, Bill Rivers, and Carrie Fischer. If I tried to name everyone, there would not be enough space.

Language is tied to self-identity and to what makes us human. We take our first breath, then we make our first sound. Communication follows, and it becomes the bridge between individuals, families, and communities.

Language access, then, is about access to opportunity. It opens markets, enables commerce, and creates pathways for education and growth. That purpose is what continues to inspire my work. I am very fortunate to do what I love.

Industry collaboration is one of the most important forces advancing language access. Tremendous progress has been made in bringing these conversations into C-suites and into sectors where the stakes are high. This progress must continue, because AI is changing how language access is delivered, not replacing professionals but becoming a new tool we use.

At the beginning of this year, we members of the SAFE-AI in Interpreting Task Force released the AI Interpreting Solutions Evaluation Toolkit, a practical framework designed to help organizations implement responsible language access. It was the culmination of more than two years of industry-wide collaboration.

I am equally committed to supporting both language professionals and those they serve by having MasterWord become a trauma-informed organization. Trauma deeply affects how we process information and communicate, and in the age of AI it is even more important.

I share the view that our industry is transforming and growing, and that AI will create more demand for skilled professionals.

More than ever, I see the value in staying grounded in purpose, elevating language professionals, and strengthening language access through meaningful collaboration.

Mathieu Gautier

Founder, Elite Communication

I believe the translation industry is ripe for disruption, and I believe it should be run by linguists. What is a lawyer or tech salesperson doing running a translation agency? Don’t the linguists mind? Someone else is capturing the value they are creating. What other professionals would tolerate that?

Translators have the second-lowest salaries five years after graduating. The solution is not activism — it’s entrepreneurship. That’s what I’m passionate about. Translators, rise up!

Michael J. Mulé

Civil Rights Attorney, Language Access Expert

To me, being a language industry influencer means using my civil rights enforcement experience to expand public understanding of language access as a fundamental right. My commitment to this work began in my law school clinic, when the mother of a client described the daily barriers she faced as a Spanish speaker. I did not yet know the term “language access,” but I knew that denying people services because of their language was discrimination. That experience shaped my career.

As a new lawyer, I was fortunate to learn from pioneers in the field of language access, including Mara Youdelman, Paul Uyehara, Amy Taylor, Joann Lee, Jillian Dutton, Dimple Abichandani, and Nisha Agarwal. They taught me the laws, settlement agreements, and court decisions that form the foundation of language access; how their complaints and lawsuits improved access for their clients and communities; and how to build effective local and national advocacy efforts. Their mentorship, along with lessons learned through my own mistakes, guided me into a career enforcing civil rights laws at the US Department of Justice.

Influence is not about visibility. It is about responsibility. It means naming the systemic problems I have seen: People are rarely taught their language rights; staff often lack training; interpreters and translations are denied even when needed for critical services and interactions; and covered entities cannot justify cost claims because they do not track the language services they provide. Being an influencer means helping confront these problems and moving systems toward meaningful access.

Through LinkedIn posts, training, and consulting, I work to improve understanding of language rights, support covered entities in meeting their legal responsibilities, and strengthen language access programs that reduce risk and improve service.

Milena Spelta Parenti

Key Account Manager, Dema Solutions

Being recognized as a language industry influencer is, for me, less about visibility and more about responsibility. Language is power: It determines who can access information, participate in society, and feel welcome. Throughout my career, I have learned that translation and localization are not only about transferring meaning between languages, but they are also about removing barriers.

Accessibility and inclusive language have become central to my work at Dema Solutions. Just as translation makes content available across linguistic borders, accessible and inclusive language makes content usable for people with disabilities, diverse identities, and different cultural backgrounds. Inclusion and accessibility are deeply interconnected: You cannot achieve true inclusion without accessibility, and technical accessibility without inclusive thinking risks leaving people behind.

I am especially inspired by the idea of universal design: building products, content, and experiences that work for as many people as possible from the start. The European Accessibility Act and similar regulations worldwide reinforce what should already be an ethical imperative — accessibility is a fundamental right, not an optional add-on. Helping organizations adapt language, remediate documents, and improve digital experiences is meaningful because it expands participation, improves user experience, and creates real social impact.

To the next generation of language professionals, my advice is simple: Cultivate empathy, challenge biases, and see language as a tool for equity. Learn from accessibility experts, people with disabilities, technologists, and communities whose voices have been marginalized. Collaboration is essential — no one advances inclusion alone.

Ultimately, being a language industry influencer means advocating for language that is not only correct, but fair, welcoming, and human.

Rajat Bhatnagar

Head of Localization Product Strategy, Google

To me, being a language industry influencer means bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and the human experience. My career has been non-linear — spanning industries, functions, and continents — and while pivoting is inherently risky, I have found that staying curious is the ultimate hedge against stagnation.

I’ve learned that the most important advocate you can have is yourself. It is vital to believe in your vision even when others do not; hold yourself to high standards and remember that while perfection is an illusion, continuous improvement is a superpower. At Google, I am privileged to influence how we endear products to billions of users through the power of language. Solving for international needs requires a massive cross-functional effort between product, engineering, UX, and others. There is deep reward in knowing that our shift toward AI and LLM-driven localization allows us to meet unprecedented global demand while maintaining the local soul of a product.

To the next generation: Be bold, be curious, and find your passion. Passion is the engine of innovation; it is what drives you to go the extra mile without realizing it. Do the things that challenge you and help you become a better version of yourself.

This recognition is a shared success. I am immensely grateful to Adrienne Crowther for her belief in me, and to Cynthia Elliott for taking a chance on me and introducing me to this industry. Both remain cherished mentors today, alongside the many unnamed mentors who guided me along the way. I also want to thank Richard Tunnicliffe for his ambitious leadership and my incredible team members whose dedication powers our joint success. Finally, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of my parents, Dinesh and Veera, my wife, Radhika, and my boys, Ayaan and Anay.

Sheriff Issaka

Founder and Head of Research, African Language Lab

To be a language industry influencer is to stand at the vital intersection of advanced technology and human connection. It means moving beyond mere visibility to actively steward the tools that dictate who gets heard, who can participate, and who benefits from the AI revolution. My leadership is rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” It reminds us that innovation carries a responsibility: to constantly ask why we build, and to ensure that technology ultimately serves our shared humanity, not the other way around.

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that progress in language technology is never made in silos; it thrives on a culture of deep, cross-border collaboration. We are facing a landscape filled with profound challenges, and a major mission of the African Languages Lab (All Lab) is to tackle them head-on. As an example, by fusing research, engineering, and community practice, our Mansa model is democratizing information across more than 30 African languages. For me, this work is about amplifying historically excluded voices and proving that digital inclusion isn’t just an ethical imperative; it is technically superior.

To the next generation of technologists navigating this era of unprecedented flux: Stay grounded. Don’t chase easy wins or superficial benchmarks. Instead, pick the hardest problems that matter and solve them systematically. Seek interdisciplinary training, be humble about what models can and cannot do, and measure your true success by the real-world barriers you dismantle. Finally, always remember that the future of AI will not be built by a single lab or institution; it will be built by communities working together to ensure that the digital world reflects the full diversity of human language and culture.

Silvia Mapelli

Principal Localization Manager, Back Market

Our industry has transformed enormously. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing that evolution from various angles: as a translator, language manager, project manager, and localization leader, across different countries and cultural contexts. Much of what I learned early in my career no longer applies to today’s landscape. But that cumulative knowledge (the processes, tools, lessons, and unexpected pivots) was the foundation for everything I’ve built since. You can’t skip the building blocks, but the good news is that nowadays they come together much faster.

Working on the vendor side exposed me to a wide variety of customers, projects, tools, and challenges. Working on the tech side showed me how TMS features are prioritized and brought to life, directly impacting customers’ localization programs. Working on the client side, which often means “building the plane while flying it,” has taught me how to read the room and craft strategies that work, while increasing localization maturity and visibility. I usually make my own sauce drawing on past experiences, empowering or building teams, and figuring out what works and what doesn’t in each specific context. There is no one size fits all.

What makes work meaningful to me is the human element at its core, both producing localized content and consuming it. Behind every piece of content we localize, there is a real person trying to connect with our brand in their own language, on their own terms. Getting that right matters. It builds trust, which is essential to our brand and mission.

As for the next generation, today’s young professionals grew up with technology, speak multiple languages, have traveled, and bring a level of cultural intelligence that took us years to develop. My advice for them would be to have the grit and passion to keep going despite the challenges. Show up fully, consistently, and with curiosity!

Advertisement

Silvia Xalabarde

Founder and CEO, Pluma Translations

For me, influence in this profession has always come down to relationships. I genuinely believe that individuals matter, that people make a difference by how they show up, and that trust is built over time through small, consistent actions. Over the years, I have come to see how much power there is in connection: One person reaching out to the right person at the right time can shift the future of an organization or open entirely new directions.

We are now living through an unusually eventful moment in the language industry with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. I find this moment exciting rather than frightening, as someone who genuinely enjoys pushing AI to its limits. It’s a process of experimenting to create better, faster, and more accessible services, with language professionals firmly in charge of the process.

What matters most to me is staying in the room while the future is being discussed. Change is happening whether we like it or not, and I would much rather see language professionals becoming experts on new technologies, driving change, and debating our role constructively than opting out. If I offer any influence, I hope it is in encouraging others to embrace change without fear, to stay in the game, even as it changes, and to trust that thoughtful, committed individuals have the power to shape where the profession is going.

Sophie Halbeisen

Senior Account Executive, Uber Technologies Inc.

I have always loved this industry, so being mentioned as an influencer feels unreal! Our field is filled with kind, empathetic, and incredibly bright people, and I love how almost everyone you meet has experienced at least one other culture and speaks multiple languages.

Seeing how AI is changing the world — and how vital our industry has become — makes me incredibly excited for the future. This importance isn’t just because AI is changing how we work (which it certainly is) but because our deep knowledge of cultures and languages is becoming the foundation for training these models.

Just over the past few months, I have worked on projects that make GenAI image and video models more culturally aware, supported projects combining data collection and diarization to help automatic speech recognition systems understand different languages and accents better, and helped externalizing our GenAI tool for multilingual app testing bringing “Uber speed” to LQA programs. For all of these, humans with linguistic and cultural backgrounds are required. New service types like data annotation, labeling, and evaluation are becoming more and more important every day.

The past year has shown me how essential it is to adapt and try new things, even when we don’t feel completely ready. My German heritage sometimes makes me risk-averse, but AI calls for exploration, innovation, and figuring things out together. I am so grateful I can do this work at one of the most innovative companies out there, with the best team I could ask for, while still being deeply connected to my network in this incredible language community!

Spence Green

CEO, LILT

Whatever influence I have in the world of translation and multilingual content, I hope to use it to challenge the status quo. For decades, our industry was defined by a binary choice: high-quality but slow manual translation, or fast but unreliable machine output. At LILT, my work has been driven by the conviction that this is a false dichotomy. We are building a future where human ingenuity and AI are inseparable.

The most profound lesson of my career is that technology should empower people, not disenfranchise them. Language is the fundamental API of human connection. When we build tools to help teams generate multilingual content 10x faster without sacrificing their brand voice, we aren’t just “localizing content”; we are dismantling the barriers to global opportunity.

Our mission at LILT is to make the world’s information accessible to everyone, regardless of where they were born or what language they speak. Delivering on this mission is what gets me out of bed every day.

My advice to those entering the field: Be multilingual in both language and technology. Don’t fear the LLM; master it. Focus on the intent of communication, not just the mechanics, and know that empathy is the one thing an algorithm cannot simulate.

Finally, a shoutout to my co-founder. I wouldn’t be here without John DeNero’s partnership. We met years ago at Google working on the Translate product. When we saw that the Translate engineers were using third-party translation services for their content, we knew this was a big problem for enterprise companies and the government that needed to be solved. More than 10 years later, we’re more excited than ever to deliver that solution.

Stephanie Harris-Yee

Global Marketing Director, Argos Multilingual

While I would not really consider myself an influencer in the traditional sense, this nomination is a nice reminder that our industry works best when people share ideas and learn from each other. Much of what I have learned in my career has come from colleagues, partners, linguists, technologists, and clients who were open to exchanging perspectives and trying new approaches.

A few people in particular have had a big impact on me. Libor Safar from the Argos team has been a great mentor when it comes to marketing. He has a talent for communicating ideas clearly and authentically. I am also grateful to Antoine Rey, co-founder of Global Ambitions, whose idea helped create a space for more thoughtful industry conversations. And of course Erik Vogt, who has been my steady partner in the Field Notes series and whose insights help shape many of the discussions we share.

Through projects like these, I have had the chance to speak with many experts who generously share their firsthand experiences in localization. The value of these efforts really comes from those experts. My role is simply to help bring their perspectives together and share them more broadly, whether through interviews, moderating panels, or organizing small local events where people can exchange ideas.

What keeps me excited about this field is that language sits right at the intersection of technology, culture, and business. As AI continues to reshape localization, the most valuable thing we can do is keep learning from each other and keep the conversation going.

Veronica Hylak

AI Safety Communicator, Hey AI

I came in through product development and AI, not traditional linguistics. I have built and deployed AI systems for enterprises and government, launched localization tools, and sat in rooms where automation decisions were made long before they reached translators’ inboxes. I am a builder at heart and will continue to build. But over the past year, my YouTube channel has unexpectedly become something else: a critical source of information at a time when the ground feels unsteady because of AI. I fell into that role by accident. What keeps me there is a sense of responsibility.

Right now, I’ve made it my mission to act as a translator in my own right: not of French or Spanish, but of how AI systems actually work. How they are trained. Where they perform well. Where they fail. What incentives drive deployment decisions. What has bothered me tremendously is how often people are the last to be informed about changes that affect them the most. Influence, to me, means narrowing that gap. It means offering a sober assessment of both the extraordinary capabilities of AI and its real limitations, so that language professionals can see clearly where they are still critically needed.

I would not be here without Daniel Brockmann and Eric de Vrieze of RWS, who believed in my vision for products early and gave me the confidence to dream bigger. Bridget Hylak, my mother, carries a depth of industry knowledge that cannot be replicated and has been the best advisor anyone could ask for. And Eddie Arrieta, who continues to challenge me to think bigger, deeper, and with heart.

To the next generation: Understand the technology deeply. Study where it works. Study where it fails. The people who can see both clearly will shape what comes next.

Zhongjun Ge

Head of TikTok Localization, Panda Translation Agency

To me, being a language industry influencer means redefining the boundary of what localization can achieve. It is not just about translating strings; it is about building the architectural infrastructure that allows products to feel “native” at a global scale. In my career, I’ve learned that the most successful localization leaders act as strategic business partners (BP) who align linguistic quality with business values and user experiences.

At TikTok, our core challenge was scaling. My journey has been defined by proving that a compact, 10-person core team can successfully manage 56 languages for dozens of business lines by leveraging lean workflows and cutting-edge technology. This “10-to-56” model represents my belief that the next generation of localization lies in the synergy between human expertise and systemic innovation. By shifting from a service mindset to a product-first approach, we align our goals directly with our global product partners — transforming localization into a meaningful, mission-critical function.

My advice to future localization professionals is simple: Understand the code and the business as deeply as you understand the language. Our value lies in solving the friction between global expansion and local relevance.

I didn’t reach this perspective alone. I am deeply grateful to my team — their dedication makes the impossible scales a daily reality. I also want to acknowledge my mentor, Salvo (head of localization at Airbnb), whose vision for localization at scale has been a constant lighthouse for my own strategic thinking. Finally, I want to thank our strategic vendors and every single translator who contributes to TikTok’s global journey. You are the invisible bridge connecting billions, and your craft remains the heartbeat of our global community.

Advertisement

Related Articles