O
ne of the most influential professional organizations within the language industry, Women in Localization (WL) recognizes that volunteers are essential to its success. That’s why it established a Volunteer Recognition Program comprising two annual awards — the Kudos Awards and the STAR Award — to honor non-board member volunteers who go above and beyond their responsibilities to further the organization’s mission. In this article, WL announces its 2025 award winners and presents an interview with its top volunteer, Nadja Ruhl. We celebrate the indispensable contributions of these dedicated language industry professionals who inspire excellence and help propel the organization forward.
The Kudos Awards recognize outstanding volunteers twice a year for their significant impact within their respective programs and chapters. Nominations are open to the entire organization, and nominees participate in an organization-wide vote. Each round, the three people with the most votes receive a Kudos Award. In 2025, WL members voted for Manon Debuire, Myriam Garcia Vizuete, and Penny Karagianidi in the first round and for Sankeshwari Deo, Nadja Ruhl, and Roberta Tabolacci in the second round.
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The STAR Award is presented once a year to one exceptional volunteer chosen from that year’s Kudos winners. The 2025 winner is Nadja Ruhl, WL’s Program Director of the Global Community.
Nadja is passionate about mission-driven projects where her expertise in language, management, and innovative technologies creates meaningful impact. With a background spanning academia, technology, and non-profit organizations, she combines analytical rigor with a hands-on, results-oriented mindset.
After obtaining a PhD degree from the Universities of Udine and Trieste, Nadja completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in language studies before transitioning from academia to information technology (IT) to pursue her passion for innovation. Now a program manager at Chainels — a business-to-business (B2B), software-as-a-service (SaaS), real estate technology company based in the Netherlands — Nadja built the localization program from the ground up, expanding its global reach to 17 languages.
A certified mentor and coach, Nadja advocates for authentic leadership and mental health in the workplace. She is officially recognized as a localization expert by Crowdin.
Nadja excels at transforming chaos into structure, scaling innovative ideas, and leading cross-functional teams through growth and change. She flourishes in flexible, global environments that value collaboration, innovation, and social impact.
In the following interview, Nadja describes her volunteer journey with WL, what she loves about the organization’s initiatives, and her appreciation for everyone she’s worked with along the way.
Why did you choose to enter the language industry?
I often feel like I didn’t choose the language industry — it chose me. It all started back in elementary school, when I fell in love with languages and the humanities. Over time, that passion evolved alongside the rapid technological revolution that eventually led us to the era of large language models (LLMs) we’re in today — and I simply couldn’t stop.
How did you first get involved in WL, and what volunteer work have you done with the organization?
Like many others, I first discovered WL through LinkedIn. In 2022, I joined WL’s Dutch Chapter as a community member eager to connect with others who shared my passion for languages, technology, and meaningful impact.
In 2023, I became Mentorship and Education Manager for the Dutch Chapter, supporting peers in their professional growth and mentoring on a global level. Later that year, I joined the Global Events Team and, with my amazing colleagues, launched #bookBuzz: an educational series that brings members together to discuss books and ideas that inspire both personal and professional development.
In 2025, I stepped into my current role of Program Director of the Global Community, working alongside several talented global teams, including Job Board, Mentorship, Events and Content, and Membership. I hope this doesn’t sound too lofty, but I like to think of my role as building compassionate global communities in the language industry — and that titles and roles are just tools to help make it happen.
Together, the team launched the Group Mentorship Pilot exclusively for our volunteers, helping young professionals gain confidence and direction in their careers. We also had the opportunity to bring to life the organization’s first-ever Mental Health and Wellness Program, which was instantly embraced by the community.
We started the program because we believe that — whether you are currently seeking a job or living your professional dream — staying healthy, balanced, and resilient is not a luxury; it’s a necessity shaped by the demands of our fast-changing world. The program has opened a safe space for meaningful conversations about trauma and stress, the challenges of remote work and isolation, and the importance of self-care not as a one-time act but as a sustainable, long-term habit.
The Mental Health and Wellness initiative also aims to bring our community closer together by fostering empathy, connection, and a sense of shared growth. We offer a flexible, à la carte model with both synchronous and asynchronous formats so that everyone can find something that truly fits their lifestyle and needs.
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Why do you enjoy volunteering with WL?
Before joining WL, I didn’t really have a community of like-minded professionals working in the same industry. Joining WL truly changed everything; my professional life now feels divided into before and after, and honestly, I absolutely love the after!
I enjoy volunteering with WL because it offers a rare chance to blend meaningful global networking with genuine personal growth. In three years, I’ve connected with more than a thousand professionals and gained résumé-worthy experience.
What makes it even more rewarding is leading with purpose rather than title. This role has transformed how I view leadership and soft skills. Ultimately, WL isn’t just about career advancement; it’s about belonging to a community that cares for our wellbeing and supports us as whole people.
Finally, creating and nurturing the Mental Health and Wellness program has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional life. It reflects what I love most about WL: the compassion, openness, and genuine care that unite us across time zones, cultures, and career paths.
What does winning the STAR Award mean to you?
I’ve never been one to collect trophies. I already know that #IamRemarkable, and that’s more than enough.
For me, this award isn’t about personal recognition; it’s a chance to celebrate and thank those who made it possible: our incredible volunteers and members who work every day, united by one mission. Therefore, I dedicate this award to the following teams:
And finally, I’d like to thank my dearest colleagues in the Global Community Program. Thank you for your unwavering support, groundbreaking ideas, enthusiasm, creativity, and authenticity. Thanks for the emotions we share and for the spark of energy that fills the space whenever we come together. You are the heartbeat of this community. This award belongs to each and every one of you.
I’d like to express my deep gratitude to my Board Sponsor, Madhu Sundaramurthy — for making the impossible possible — and to our Board of Directors and founders for creating a community that unites thousands of like-minded women around the world. It is a true honor to be part of it.
Uma Kulkarni is a localization project manager and founder of Wordwizard Services. With experience at Uber and Day Translations, she has led end-to-end localization projects, specializing in global content, quality, and cross-cultural workflows.
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