Building A Long-Term Language Team

In this episode of LangTalent, we sit down with Sean Hopwood, founder and CEO of Day Translations. He shares his lifelong passion for languages, starting from his childhood experiences in a diverse neighbourhood to becoming a polyglot who speaks several languages. Sean discusses how this love for languages led him to found Day Translations in 2007, built on the belief that language access is a human right. He also offers insights into the evolving language industry and what Day Translations looks for in new talent.

There is a common misconception that as AI advances, multilingual professionals will inevitably become less relevant. In this episode of LangTalent, MK Blake, VP of Delivery Services at Welo Data, flips that narrative on its head. She argues that linguists are not just supporting the "last mile" of localization—they are absolutely foundational to the "first mile" of AI training. MK breaks down why human judgment is critical for teaching models how to interpret meaning across cultures. We explore why unique human skills like "pragmatic competence" and navigating ambiguity are more valuable than ever.

Behind every sophisticated AI model is an invisible human workforce. In this episode, we explore who actually gets to be part of that workforce with Arjun Mishra, founder of Nabet, an India-based initiative training intelligent systems through a differently abled workforce. Arjun challenges the idea that hiring differently abled professionals is just a charitable endeavor. Instead, he explains how neurodiverse individuals and those with hearing or speech impairments bring unmatched focus, precision, and low attrition to highly repetitive data annotation tasks. 

In this episode, Nicolas Calleri, founder and CEO of ARA Business Intelligence shares his incredibly non-linear path into the language industry, starting as a hotel receptionist and musician, and rapidly climbing the ranks to become a Director of Operations managing 80 people by the age of 27. We explore the emotional reality of leaving a secure leadership role to embrace the fear and adrenaline of entrepreneurship, highlighting the profound impact a great mentor can have on your confidence

The translation profession is undergoing a seismic shift driven by artificial intelligence. But is translator training keeping pace? In this episode of LangTalent, we sit down with Silvana Debonis, a multifaceted expert who shares her unique perspective on how the role of the translator is evolving from a passive executor to an active, strategic partner. We discuss the limitations of traditional training models and explore what a future-ready curriculum should look like—one that embraces technology, data analysis, and critical thinking.

What happens to language professionals and companies when AI, tighter budgets, and global expansion all hit at once? In this episode of LangTalent, we talk to Robin Ayoub — longtime LSP executive, advisor, and host of Localization Fireside Chat — about why many companies are still stuck in “duct-tape” AI adoption, what hyper-automation really looks like, how talent is repositioning itself inside and outside LSPs, and why agility, trust, and clear go-to-market thinking will define who survives the next wave of change.

We talk with Jordan Evans (Founder/MD, HireGlobal; CEO, Language Network) about building borderless teams that are both AI-enabled and human-centered. We cover why Latin America is a sweet spot, what roles work well remotely, and a practical hiring stack: widen resume filters, run real reference checks, add behavioral + skills assessments, and look for “AI players”. Jordan shares leadership practices (EOS, shared goals, documentation, Slack rhythms) and advice for talent debating their next move: bet on yourself, learn fast, and collaborate across borders.

How do you pitch, design, and land a role that doesn’t exist yet? In this episode of Lang Talent, we talk with Javier “El Javi” Díaz, newly appointed Director of Community & Customer Engagement at Smartling, about building a function around human connection, customer momentum, and community-led growth. He shares the spark behind the move, how community ties into sales and product adoption, and the nuts-and-bolts of partnering across marketing, customer teams, and leadership.

What happens when you retire the “L word”? In this episode of Lang Talent, we sit down with José Palomares, Director of Global Experiences at Coupa, to explore how shifting from localization to global experiences transforms the way organizations think about language, technology, and growth. We discuss redefining metrics, experimenting fast, the future of talent in an AI-driven ecosystem, and why community and curiosity remain the foundation of global success.

We sit down with Stefani Vorhees, Chief Human Resources Officer at Propio, to explore what people-first HR really looks like in practice. Stefani shares how Propio puts culture and engagement at the center of growth, why adaptability and resilience are essential traits for language professionals, and how HR can be a strategic enabler of business success. We also dive into Propio’s values, current roles and opportunities, and the future of HR in a global, tech-driven industry.