What led you to the language industry and your current position?

I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, in a multilingual household. My parents were immigrants from Somalia and instilled in me the importance of language and culture. At home, we spoke Somali, and I learned Arabic as a kid. I spent six years in the Middle East studying Arabic formally. During that time, I taught English, became certified in teaching, and dabbled in translation and interpretation. Despite all that, I was a pre-med major with no intention of going into the language industry, but entrepreneurship was in my DNA.

When I returned to the US, a friend approached me with an opportunity to do quality control work in Arabic and Somali. I embraced the challenge and, on my 24th birthday, incorporated Piedmont Global Language Solutions (PGLS) in my parents’ basement. The name is a tribute to both my roots in Virginia’s Piedmont region and my ancestral ties to Somalia, an Italian colony until 1960. Piedmont, meaning “foothill,” symbolizes the starting point for many of our clients’ journeys, where we help them ascend to new heights. This blend of personal history and professional ambition laid the foundation for PGLS, a company anchored in heritage yet driven by global impact.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

What I find most rewarding in my role is the challenge of delivering world-class language solutions in an increasingly complex global environment. It’s about more than just overcoming obstacles; it’s about staying true to my core values while creating a space where my team can thrive. Each day, we have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on thousands of lives, whether through facilitating critical communication in healthcare or supporting multilingual education. The knowledge that our work helps bridge gaps and fosters understanding across cultures is profoundly fulfilling.