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rom technology executives to project managers, professionals can wield influence at any stage of their career. All it takes is an ability to resonate with your target audience — easier said than done! But that’s the essence of the influencer’s power: a communication style that echoes against the audience’s common experiences.
It’s a power that, as the popular saying goes, comes with equally weighty responsibility. When influencers can impact everything from purchase decisions to career choices, it’s vital that they present their information and insights with transparency and ethical rigor. One need not strain their memory to recall at least a few scandals involving influencers great or small who failed to do so.
When it comes to influencers in the language industry, all manner of specializations and roles are represented. Subtitlers, translators, interpreters, executives, consultants, researchers, trainers: the 2025 MultiLingual magazine influencer list includes them all and more. While their influence is sourced from different experiences, their common skills of effective communication and leadership make them unlikely members of the same growing club. They are the industry luminaries with a voice too impactful to ignore — and that’s why we keep coming back.
It is an honor for me to be included in this special issue of MultiLingual magazine, alongside great leaders in the translation and localization profession. I use the term “profession” because ensuring that translation, interpretation, and terminology are viewed as professional services has been my goal since the beginning of my career.
I was 24 when I was first elected to the Société des traducteurs du Québec (STQ) board. With many colleagues — all volunteers like me — I relentlessly worked to secure official recognition of translation, terminology, and interpretation as professions. We achieved this in 1992, when STQ became Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ) and the titles of certified translator, certified terminologist, and certified interpreter were engraved into the Province of Quebec’s laws. Since then, OTTIAQ has grown and thrived, but there is still much to be done to convince the public that translation must be entrusted to professionals.
This goal also guided me in my work. Throughout my career — as a salaried translator, a freelancer, and then a partner in charge of translation services at one of the “big four” accounting firms in Canada — I have always upheld the highest standards. Being called an influencer today comes as a humbling surprise, as I feel I only tried to do my best to advocate for my profession, and I know success never comes from one person alone.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the numerous people who coped with me and accompanied me in my sometimes crazy endeavors. They all deserve to share this honor with me. I also want to extend a special thank-you to the person who saw the potential in a young translator newly elected to the board in 1983, Jean-François Joly, STQ’s president at the time, who went on to become president of the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs and changed things and opened doors wherever he went. He is my model and my mentor.
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I am deeply honored to be included in this special issue of MultiLingual magazine. This recognition reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging the gap between technology and interpreting — both by empowering professionals with tools that enhance their daily work and by advancing speech translation in real-world scenarios to make communication more accessible globally.
It also stands as a testament to the mutual benefits that collaboration between academia and industry can bring to the language domain. I hope this recognition inspires future generations to look beyond conventional paths and have the courage to pursue their dreams.
Those who know me will tell you I like to peer outside the box (often hearing me say, “let’s zoom out”). They’ll also warn you that giving me a whiteboard marker is risky and that I can’t resist the odd pun. I’ve always been inspired by a strong work ethic, true innovation, and solid principles — leaders who lead by what they do, not just words. Gromit, from Wallace and Gromit, embodies this perfectly: unassuming yet incredibly effective.
This has fueled my passion for learning agility, building competence across disciplines, and mastering smart pivots (I’ve had over 15 different roles in my career). Most recently, I’ve immersed myself in the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), “zooming out” to understand the “whys” behind key business decisions, in my role as global director of Client Solutions at Lion People Global.
My passion for knowledge sharing led me to co-create the Process Innovation Challenge platform at LocWorld (with Ulrich Henes), giving innovators a stage to showcase their groundbreaking ideas. It’s been deeply rewarding to do something that gives innovators their moment to shine. I have also proudly served on the Globalization and Localization Association board.
I remember watching a documentary on Wallace and Gromit. Nick Park’s meticulous frame-by-frame process — 115,000 frames per film — taught me patience, perseverance, and to “get on with it.” Like his films, our industry now evolves frame by frame, blending next-generation technology with many meaningful efforts.
Being included on the 2025 MultiLingual Influencer list is an honor. As a 15-year-plus reader of the magazine, I’ve seen it guide both those deeply rooted in the industry (like me) and those just passing through. I’m grateful to my mentors (they know who they are) and my peers over these almost 30 years. Many of them have shown me what leadership really is — a key part for me being how you enable and empower others, one small frame at a time.
Love. Being included in this special issue of MultiLingual is love to me. I have been in this space for 20 years professionally, but this space — this language space — has been my whole life. Growing up speaking English, Spanish, and Portuguese always made me feel like I had three different brains.
Watching my mother translate and evolve from typewriter to word processor made me fascinated with the potential of technology. I try my best to pursue my own path, my own ideas, and to hold myself faithful to my core values because my beliefs change all the time. And to think that after so many years, I continue to chase down this vision, never growing any closer to it, while we build and build and build. The more I detach myself from extrinsic motivation, the more deeply connected I become with who I am, and the more pleasure I experience.
I feel so privileged to work with what I love. I am so honored to work with people who challenge, motivate, and inspire me. Thank you MultiLingual for providing a common space where people can exchange perspectives and ideas on such a fascinating subject that weaves us all together.
I’ve always approached challenges with curiosity and purpose. The questions I ask are simple: How can we make this better? How can we create meaningful change? For the past three years, these questions have fueled my journey, driving me to reimagine language access and redefine what’s possible in the language industry.
At Global Wordsmiths, my efforts have centered on advancing language access. Guided by the mentorship of Mary Jayne McCullough, I led impactful localization projects and restructured workflows for school districts to enhance language accessibility. Simultaneously, I tackled resource inefficiencies, reducing outsourcing, expanding the translator roster, and scaling operations to meet growing demands.
As part of my ongoing PhD research at Kent State University, I’ve addressed key challenges in the language industry. My work included analyzing translation practices in United States school districts to improve usability and creating an interpreter training program to serve community needs. Currently, I am analyzing Saudi Arabia’s localization market to identify strategies that align global standards with local potential, aiming to position the Kingdom as a leader in the language industry. With significant investments in gaming, technology, and entertainment, Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the localization sector. While literary translation has established its role, localization remains an underutilized strategic asset. By fostering strategic partnerships, cultivating talent, and integrating advanced technologies, the Kingdom can transform its localization sector into a dynamic force that bridges its rich culture with global innovation.
Being featured in MultiLingual magazine is an honor and a reminder of my mentor Dr. Feras Saeed’s words: “Keep walking — never stop until you reach your destination!” It reflects the progress made and the steps yet to come, each an opportunity to create meaningful change in our industry.
Being included in this special issue is both an absolute surprise and a tremendous honor. This recognition represents the culmination of my journey in the language services industry. It all began in Antwerp, Belgium, where I studied translation, and continued in Bologna, Italy, where I took my first steps in a translation company.
My quest has always been to find a vocation that embodies three core values: beauty (a job you love), benefit (a job that pays the bills), and good (a job that contributes to the greater good).
Over my 25-year career, whether translating, project managing, or selling, my motivation has consistently been to help people communicate across language barriers. The realization that our community — the localization industry — plays a pivotal role in fostering understanding and connection through language has been a constant source of inspiration for me.
I am deeply grateful for the recognition as an influencer this year. I want to extend my gratitude to mentors who have given me the opportunity to shine over the years, such as Cinzia Bazzani, Roberto Ganzerli, Danilo Monaco, and Renato Beninatto (many Italian names, too few women). I also want to acknowledge colleagues who demonstrate daily the profound impact our industry can have. I think of Stella Hodkin, and, of course, Andrea Tabacchi.
At Nimdzi, we are committed to democratizing access to knowledge within the localization sector. My goal is to advocate for our industry’s importance, ensuring it secures a rightful place at the corporate table. Together, we are not just language professionals; we are bridge builders, connecting cultures and communities through the power of communication. I eagerly look forward to continuing this journey, inspired by the beauty, benefit, and good that our work brings to the world.
Being featured in this special issue of MultiLingual magazine is a deeply meaningful recognition of the journey I’ve embarked on with Beluga Linguistics, the LocLunch community, and beyond. At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to humanization — a value that underpins every decision at Beluga, every mentorship opportunity, and every connection fostered through LocLunch.
For six years, LocLunch has been more than a community; it’s been a global family where shared meals lead to shared understanding, and where trust in trusted networks becomes a bridge to lasting partnerships.
Launching my YouTube channel has been an extension of this mission, offering a platform to demystify complex shifts in technology and make them accessible to anyone curious about the future of language tech. Sharing knowledge isn’t just a professional duty; it’s a personal passion. I find immense joy in seeing others gain clarity, confidence, and creativity through understanding.
Our mentoring program is another source of pride, designed to help new translators enter the industry with firsthand experience. This initiative represents a joint effort with our clients and the exceptional software localizers on our projects, fostering a supportive environment where learning and collaboration flourish.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my incredible team, my loving family, and our valued clients. They give me the possibility to embrace all these endeavors, and I am profoundly grateful for their trust, belief, and collaboration. This feature is not just a milestone — it’s a reflection of the collective effort, inspiration, and shared values that define everything we achieve together. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Being recognized in this special issue of MultiLingual magazine is meaningful to me, particularly as I reflect on my first year leading the Translation Bureau of Canada. This recognition comes at a pivotal moment in our industry’s evolution, as we navigate the intersection of tradition and innovation in language services.
My journey in public service has been guided by a fundamental belief that language is not just about words, but about connecting people and preserving cultural heritage. At the Bureau, we’ve embraced this philosophy while facing one of the most significant technological shifts in our field’s history. What makes me particularly proud is how we’ve approached this change — not with blind enthusiasm or fearful resistance, but with measured wisdom and strategic foresight.
The leaders who preceded me laid a strong foundation for what we’re building today. Their vision of a modern language services agency that maintains the human touch while embracing innovation continues to guide our path forward.
Being included in this issue isn’t just a personal honor — it’s recognition of our collective journey at the Bureau as we work to preserve the integrity of professional language services while adapting to technological change. It acknowledges our commitment to supporting Canada’s linguistic duality and multicultural fabric in an increasingly digital world.
Being recognized as a 2025 language industry influencer by MultiLingual magazine is both a tremendous honor and a humbling experience. This recognition affirms the work I have been privileged to undertake alongside so many talented individuals in the African and global language services industry.
As the director of Folio Online, one of Africa’s most reputable and oldest language service providers, I am inspired daily by the resilience, innovation, and dedication of the people I’ve worked with over the past 21 years. Special thanks to Philip Zietsman, our managing director, whose vision and leadership have been integral to both the company’s and my own growth and success.
I also want to thank my fellow board members of the Association of Language Companies in Africa (ALCA), an organization I helped establish to give African language companies a unified voice on the global stage. Additionally, as a committee member and volunteer for various industry initiatives, I am continually inspired by the thought leadership and collaboration within the language industry. The combined efforts of these organizations are driving meaningful progress — especially in this era of artificial intelligence, which is transforming language technologies.
This recognition also allows me to reflect on those who inspire me: African language professionals overcoming unique challenges to deliver excellence and tech innovators revolutionizing multilingual communication. I am privileged to work in an industry that thrives on diversity and collaboration.
Being included in MultiLingual’s list of top influencers is an honor I won’t downplay. After a career built on pushing the envelope in the localization industry, it feels amazing — and, honestly, long overdue! Jokes aside, this recognition is deeply unique. MultiLingual has followed our industry for decades, uniting diverse perspectives and innovations. To now be featured in its pages after over 25 years in the field is incredibly meaningful.
My journey has been anything but linear. I’ve worn many hats: translator, teacher, engineer, chief technology officer, product designer, and team builder. I’ve made big messes, learned the hard way, but also delivered solutions that delighted and empowered people. These experiences have connected me deeply with our community and given me a profound appreciation for our craft.
I’ve always believed in advocating for technology, even when it feels as disruptive as AI. Being a trailblazer — not a follower — is what sets you apart. Those who embrace innovation early often fare better. Staying ahead of the curve doesn’t mean chasing every trend, though. It’s about listening, staying grounded, and not letting change run you over. Going it alone is uphill all the way, which is why I support associations that foster collaboration and advance our industry’s future, such as the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA). Being part of this collective effort is as rewarding as any personal milestone.
To all the mentors and friends who’ve let me ask honest questions and given me honest answers: thank you. Million-dollar conversations are real, but you must seek them out — be intentional, listen actively, and genuinely care.
To my fellow localization professionals: This is our time. The intersection of technology and cultural intelligence offers us unprecedented opportunities to drive the next wave of change. Thank you, MultiLingual, for this recognition. It’s been worth the wait.
P.S. Of course I’ve used AI to write this. Why wouldn’t I?
Me, a language industry influencer? The best I normally aspire to is being able to influence my teenage daughters, at least a bit. And that’s on a good day. But the whole industry? No way. If anything, I have been influenced by the language industry and the many brilliant and genuinely nice people I’ve met along the way. They’re people far smarter than me who’ve taught me so much.
Localization wasn’t exactly on anyone’s childhood dream job list. A firefighter, maybe. An astronaut, perhaps. But localization? And yet, here we are. We’ve shown remarkable staying power in this industry, despite its lack of glamour and abundance of hard work.
Over the decades, the industry has transformed dramatically — largely for the better. What began as a cottage industry now commands serious attention and investment. It is frustrating that many of us still need to justify our existence and value. But the truth is that we’re essential to global business.
Imagine if we disappeared — all in-house and external localization teams gone overnight, like The Last of Us, season 10. All localization expertise vanished. Zombie-like apps, products, and websites left unlocalized or half-localized, largely unusable beyond their home markets. International growth grinding to a halt. A nightmare, right?
But I’m optimistic. After years of more-or-less incremental innovations, we’re entering an exciting era — one that creates opportunities for localization professionals to elevate our standing wherever we work. Our expertise will become even more vital, not less.
And even more so because, in this sense, the variety of experts is another of our industry’s charms. Even the most well-connected among us have networks that are mere drops in the ocean of our industry’s true size. We might think we understand the industry through our connections — the people we know, speak with, and meet at events. But we’re only scratching the surface. The industry is far richer than we may sometimes realize.
On a gloomy March day in 2014, I entered the office of Moravia IT for a job interview. At the time, I knew little about localization and wasn’t even sure this was the right job for me. I had lived a tranquil academic life in the Arctic, researching theoretical linguistics and publishing in academic journals. But life had taken a turn, and a change of country meant a fresh start. I decided to try out a job in the language industry where, I imagined, the pace would be faster, the challenges harder, and the adrenaline higher.
While waiting at the reception, I noticed a few MultiLingual magazine issues on the coffee table. “Oh, this industry has its own magazine!” I thought and picked one up out of curiosity. As I flipped through the pages, I gradually realized: I wanted to become part of it and learn everything about it. I dreamt of one day publishing my own article in MultiLingual.
I took that MultiLingual issue with me home that day.
Fast-forward a decade, and my dream has come true — many times over. My first major task at Moravia IT was leading a multifaceted team to create solutions for crowd-sourced translations, from building a platform to managing a translator community. It was a thrilling journey, but as the excitement gave way to routine, I moved to the next challenge: Linguistic AI Services at RWS.
Linguistic AI allows me to combine practical knowledge with my linguistic expertise and love for research. Each morning, I wake up excited by the challenges ahead, knowing that alongside an incredibly talented and intellectually courageous team, there is no problem that cannot be solved.
Throughout my journey, my motto has been to share my knowledge through podcasts, webinars, blog posts, and, of course, articles published in MultiLingual — my very first source of inspiration. My hope is to similarly inspire the community to learn, develop, and experience the same thrill of progress and discovery that drives me in my career.
My journey in the language industry began at the Consulate of Haiti in Chicago, where I saw how language barriers prevented Haitians from accessing critical services. Volunteering my skills to bridge these gaps evolved into a freelance career and laid the foundation for Creole Solutions. The devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, was a turning point, inspiring me to train Haitians as translators and interpreters to ensure vital information could reach those in need. Empowering others through language has been central to Creole Solutions ever since.
Over the years, Creole Solutions has grown into a thriving organization that connects people and breaks down barriers. Helping Haitians embrace their heritage by learning to write in Haitian Creole and adapting books for children are among my proudest achievements. Through various platforms, I’ve promoted the language as a tool for connection and cultural exchange.
I am profoundly thankful to LocWorld, Women in Localization, the American Translators Association, and the Haitian Times for providing opportunities to advocate for Haitian Creole and share its importance. Most of all, I am deeply grateful to the incredible team at Creole Solutions, whose passion and dedication inspire me every day.
At Creole Solutions, I’ve learned that real people hold the power to create meaningful change. Thank you, MultiLingual magazine, for this honor. I am proud to stand alongside so many who are building a multilingual future in which every voice is valued and every story is heard.
Being included in this special issue of MultiLingual as a language industry influencer is both humbling and surprising to me. This recognition feels less like a reflection of my individual accomplishments and more like a celebration of the extraordinary community I am privileged to be a part of.
Throughout my career, from Buenos Aires to New York or Paris, onsite or online, I have been continuously inspired by the brilliance, resilience, and creativity of colleagues, professional associations, mentors, and leaders in the language industry. They have challenged me to think deeply about the nature of interpretation and translation, encouraged me to adapt to the rapid changes in our industry, and motivated me to advocate for the profession I hold so dear.
After graduating and a few years working in the field, my own clients pushed me even further to organize their events and find new ways to meet their needs. This is how I discovered a different way of working — different from teaming up to translate or interpret. I learned how to be part of a team that plans, makes decisions, and executes them by using collective intelligence and diversity to achieve higher goals. It makes me passionate about defending the integrity of the profession while embracing its evolution, convinced that every challenge we face is an opportunity for improvements.
This is also why it is so important for me to give back by volunteering for organizations and associations; joining the amazing organizers of AmeriVox, a practice group for interpreters; raising awareness of the profession; and organizing regular meetings for interpreters in Paris.
Being recognized by MultiLingual is not only an honor, but also a reminder of the importance of staying true to my convictions of connecting, empowering, and advocating for linguistic rights. Thank you for this recognition, which I see as another unbelievable-but-true milestone after being published in MultiLingual’s August 2024 issue.
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Being included in this special issue is both an honor and a moment for reflection. It’s a recognition of not only my professional journey, but also the countless people and experiences that have shaped it.
Throughout my career as a translator, interpreter, and trainer, each project, training session, and collaboration has been an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to our vibrant professional community.
I’ve always believed in the power of continuous learning and collaboration, and that belief is constantly reaffirmed and strengthened by the wonderful, generous people I’ve crossed paths with.
This recognition isn’t mine alone — it’s shared with every colleague who’s offered advice, every student who’s asked thought-provoking questions, and every professional who’s inspired me with their dedication. Along the way, mentors have helped me find my way and taught me the value of precision and empathy in communication, peers have stood by me through successes and challenges, and the next generation of language professionals has served as a constant reminder of why our work matters.
Being featured in MultiLingual magazine also reaffirms the importance of community in our profession. No achievement happens in isolation, and I’m deeply grateful to be part of a network of passionate, skilled, and generous professionals.
Finally, my heartfelt gratitude goes to my family for their unwavering support. A special thank-you to my husband, whose love and encouragement have been a constant source of strength and a driving force in everything I do.
Thank you for this opportunity to pause, celebrate, and look forward to what’s next!
Being featured in MultiLingual magazine as a 2025 language industry influencer is both humbling and energizing. But, more than anything, it’s the first time I can claim a title that actually impresses my kids! On a more serious note, this recognition isn’t just about my individual contributions, but a reflection of the incredible community we’re all part of.
My professional journey has been one of wearing many hats: translator, researcher, academic, and project leader. Each role feeds into the others, creating a cycle of practice, reflection, and teaching. I’ve always been curious, wanting to understand how things work, why they are the way they are, and how they can be changed. That curiosity led me from research on subtitling norms to specializing in international audiovisual translation (AVT) workflows and leading international projects that explore new possibilities in subtitling and education.
Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to be inspired by incredible colleagues like Yota Georgakopoulou, Jorge Díaz Cintas, Olga Torres, Vasilis Babouris, Noa Talaván, Agnieszka Szarkowska, Tamara McDonough, Lindsay Bywood, Guillermo Parra, Sharon Black, Elena DiGiovanni, Damián Santilli, Belén Agulló, Emily Diamantopoulou, and, most of all, by my mentor-turned-friend Patrick Zabalbeascoa. Their dedication and expertise have left an indelible mark on me, and I am happy to call them friends. Volunteering has also been an important part of my career, serving as vice president of the European Association of Studies in Screen Translation, co-founding the Women in Localization Greece Chapter, and working on the board of the Hellenic Society for Translation Studies. These roles have shown me the power of collaboration and advocacy.
This recognition is a reminder of why I started in this field: to help make language and culture accessible to everyone. If being an influencer means inspiring others to do the same, I’ll gladly wear the title — even if my kids still think they are cooler than me.
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