Jessie Liu

This past year serving on the Board has not only provided me with invaluable insights into the inner workings of our leadership and the intricate operations that sustain our Association, but I’ve also gained a deepened understanding and appreciation for the vision and mission that ATA, as a professional association, tries to achieve in this everchanging T&I landscape. Additionally, my time on the Board has really put in perspective for me the extraordinary commitment and dedication of ATA’s volunteer family that our leadership counts on. Before anything else, please allow me the opportunity to express my gratitude to you all.

Last year, my passion for advancing our profession and supporting our members put me here. While that enthusiasm has never been stronger, this past year serving on the Board has inspired me to have specific ideas on translating that passion and support into concrete and tangible benefits for our members.

I continue to actively participate on ATA’s Strategy Committee, offering actionable advice to the Board on various critical issues, including ways to approach AI, possible changes to ATA’s conference model, and the importance of reaching out to younger members through concrete means. On the Membership Committee front, besides periodically hosting the membership benefits informational session, I’m proud to have been among the contributors behind the guidebook for starting out as an interpreter. I also collaborate with ATA’s Education and Pedagogy Committee on two important initiatives: general T&I school outreach and conference-specific outreach.

While we continue to pave our path as empathetic, valuable, and professional human translators and interpreters in a world that’s filled with new technologies springing up like mushrooms after the rain, client education is of paramount importance. The volume of our collective voice has never been in greater need. We can’t expect to be valued by the relevant stakeholders unless they first understand the magic we do, whether they be our clients, policymakers, collaborators, etc. We can’t expect them to understand the magic we do unless we show them. If elected, client education will be another priority of my work on the Board.

I’m honored to have the opportunity to run for a full three-year term and eager to continue contributing to our collective success, ensuring that our Association remains a vibrant, resourceful, and forward-thinking community. Together, we can build on our achievements and drive our profession toward new heights of excellence and recognition.

Thank you for your support.