Do you feel like we’re at a crossroads? I certainly do. The decisions we make today—as an association and as a profession—matter for our future. This moment calls for the clear, calm, and collaborative leadership I’ve cultivated throughout my career. I’m honored to have been nominated by our peers to serve as ATA’s next president-elect, and I’m confident I have the character and competence to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

I owe much of my growth as a French- and Chinese-to-English translator and copywriter to the talented colleagues I’ve met in this incredible association. I became ATA certified from French to English, received an MBA, and developed my specializations in marketing and UX, among others, with help from ATA guides along my path. I’m used to standing out, and not only because I’m six-foot-seven. Now, I’m ready to stand up—for you and for ATA.

Over the years, I’ve served in division leadership, as a committee member and chair, and on the Board. I’ve proctored certification exams, given webinars, spoken to national media outlets, and hosted more than a dozen Annual Conference events. As a dedicated ATA volunteer, freelancer, and business owner, I’ve gained the skills, experience, and understanding our presidents need to represent our diverse membership.

Advocacy and public relations have never been more important. As the current chair of the Advocacy Committee, I’ve helped coordinate more than 30 concrete, meaningful, and impactful actions since 2021, including drafting official statements and letters, testifying before lawmakers, and attending advocacy days on Capitol Hill. I’ve forged important connections with congressional offices, national advocacy organizations, and our sister associations. Our excellent Public Relations Committee is also making great strides to ensure everyone knows who we are and why they should work with us. As president-elect, I’d further strengthen these efforts and collaborations, so we can show the world that our human-powered services are more valuable than ever in an age of overhyped AI.

As ATA members, we are the lifeblood of our association. As a longstanding member of ATA’s Membership Development Committee, I’ve worked to find creative ways to increase and promote membership, including co-authoring the Guide to Starting Out as a Freelance Translator. If elected, I’d continue to support this valuable work so ATA can represent as many language professionals as possible, long into the future. There is more we can do to make membership even more valuable. I’d work cross-functionally to increase the visibility and desirability of ATA certification, boost organic and paid traffic to ATA’s directory so our members get more leads, continue to invest in ATA’s robust professional development offerings, and help our members learn to do business better.

ATA feels like home to me because of the tireless volunteers who collectively donate thousands of hours of their time and expertise. I want to make sure ATA feels like home to everyone who walks through the door, a place for community and a rewarding career. If elected, it would be my privilege to serve as your president-elect and to lead through these uncertain times.