Elevate Your Human Game!
LEO's 12th International Virtual Conference
AGENDA*
Thursday, December 4
11:00-11:05 ET
Opening Remarks
Speakers: Jinny Bromberg, LEO’s Executive Director
11:05-12:20 ET
What the Future Holds
As 2025 is coming to a close, our first panel of the conference will examine what lies ahead and how language professionals can adapt to thrive. The language services industry has gone through a lot in 2025, feeling the impact of rapid advances in AI, globalization, shifting policies and client demands. These forces are creating both complex challenges and new opportunities for professionals across the field.
Together, we’ll explore what to expect in 2026, from navigating AI-powered tools, evolving service models, and a growing need for specialized expertise. We will focus on how these shifts are redefining industry standards, training pathways, and career development—while sharing strategies to remain resilient and competitive in an ever-changing landscape.
Panelists: Renato Beninato, Co-Founder of Nimdzi Insights; Corinne McKay, French <>English Court-certified, ATA-certified, Master of Conference Interpreting; Katharine Allen, Language Services Industry Expert
12:20-12:30 ET
10 MIN BREAK
12:30-13:30 ET
The Times are Indeed Changing – 2025 and the New World of Language Access
Since Inauguration Day, 2025, the tidal wave of new policies, new rules, and new directions plus court challenges to many of them is ongoing, now and for at least the immediate future. I will cut through the social media noise to explain what is actually happening in Washington and the courts and what may occur over the next few months. We will discuss the impacts to language access. Join us for full picture discussion and analysis.
Presenter: Bruce Adelson, Esq., Federal Compliance Expert
13:30-13:50 ET
20 MIN LUNCH BREAK
13:50-14:20 ET
The Expert-in-the-Loop T&I Transformation: Where the Jobs Are
As translation and interpreting workflows become increasingly automated, linguists who wish to remain in the language industry upskill and leverage their expertise on the nuanced aspects of language that AI still struggles to grasp. This presentation explores current job dynamics, highlighting in-demand areas such as quality assurance and validation, model annotation and fine-tuning, and AI-assisted interpreting.
Presenter: Silvia Terribile, Research & Community Specialist, Slator
14:20-15:20 ET
Practical Tips for Interpreters to Thrive in the AI Era
In today’s world, innovation happens every day with new and better AI tools coming out rapidly. Will we be replaced by AI? This is a question that interpreters are frequently asked or that we even ask ourselves. In this presentation, Maggie shares practical tips on how interpreters can use AI to our advantage. She will discuss how to provide clients with high-quality language and culture services that differentiate our practice from others in this era.
Presenter: Miao (Maggie) Hong, Conference Interpreter and Translator.
15:20-15:30 ET
10 MIN BREAK
15:30-16:30 EDT
Navigating Code-Switching in Legal Interpreting: Challenges and Implications for LEP Speakers
As interpreters, we have all encountered situations where LEP individuals fluctuate between their native language and English. This phenomenon, particularly in legal contexts, can often lead to various degrees of discontent among the officers of the court (notably judges), who may admonish LEP individuals with statements like, “Speak your native language and allow the interpreter to do their job.” As straightforward as this directive may seem, it can impose a significant challenge for LEP speakers. What if this compliance, rather than being helpful, is actually detrimental to their ability to testify accurately?
This presentation will explore the underlying reasons behind code-switching among LEP individuals and the negative implications that arise when they are pressured to limit their language use.
By the end of the presentation, participants will have gained valuable insights into how we can better serve LEP speakers and advocate for more effective, equitable communication in legal settings.
Presenter: Gulnara Shigabutdinova, Certified Medical Interpreter and Registered Court Interpreter
16:30-17:30 ET
Balancing the Scale: Interpreter Well-being panel
This panel will bring together professionals from diverse areas of the interpreting field to explore how well-being shapes performance and sustainability. Beyond sharing personal experiences, panelists will introduce new ideas, fresh perspectives, and out-of-the-box strategies to navigate stress, prevent burnout, and foster resilience. The discussion will highlight both individual practices and collective initiatives, offering creative approaches to support work-life balance for T&I professionals. By exchanging innovative perspectives, the panel aims to help reimagine how well-being can be integrated into the future of the industry.
Panelists: Jorge Mejia, Certified Interpreter and Director of Language Access and Interpreter Services; Yuliya Speroff, Certified Healthcare Interpreter and Interpreter Trainer ; Andy Benzo, ATA President-Elect
17:30-18:15 ET
Breakout Rooms
Room 1, hosted by Bruce Adelson, Federal Compliance Expert. Ask Bruce about legal obligations, compliance, and language access in the age of AI
Room 2, hosted by Jorge Pineda, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Bromberg & Associates. A discussion with Jorge about contracting opportunities for interpreters at Bromberg & Associates. This will be an open conversation to ask questions, explore opportunities, learn about Bromberg´s referral program and onboarding process.
Room 3, co-hosted by Jorge Mejia, Certified Interpreter and Director of Language Access and Interpreter Services and Victor Sosa, Co-Founder Indigenous Interpreting+. Titled “Reimagining Language Access: Adapting to a Changing Landscape”. An open discussion to share ideas and best practices on how our field is changing and what adjustments are needed to remain relevant, including the influence of AI and emerging roles on patient care and the work of interpreters.
Room 4, co-hosted by Jinny Bromberg, LEO’s Executive Director, and Doha Zahreddine, Linguist Education Online (LEO) Course Administrator. They will answer questions with regards to certification for interpreters and translators, LEO current courses, and future plans.
Room 5, hosted by Cynthia Mauleón, an Interpreter Trainer and writer, and an intuitive healing practitioner. She will answer questions with regards to Interpreter well-being.
Room 6, Hosted by Karla Reina and Natalia Jiron. AMN Healthcare Job Fair for Medical Interpreters. AMN Healthcare Language Services offers contract and employee roles with strong growth and development opportunities. Join our breakout room to meet members of our talent acquisition team and learn more about interpreting jobs with us.
Friday, December 5
11:00-12:15 ET
Legal panel
In our Legal Panel, we will examine recent policies, executive orders, and legal actions that have impacted the field throughout 2025. Most importantly, we will provide clear and practical insights to support your professional decision-making. As we close out 2025, we’ll also look ahead at what may be on the horizon and what to expect from Washington, D.C.
Panelists: Bruce Adelson, Esq., Federal Compliance Expert, Rosemary Ford, ASL Interpreter, System Director of Interpreter Services at St. Joseph Hospital
12:15-12:25 ET
10 MIN BREAK
12:25-13:25 ET
Skill-Building for the Future
13:25-13:45 ET
20 MIN LUNCH BREAK
13:45-15:00 ET
Understanding Human Trafficking – What Every Interpreter Needs to Know
By the nature of their work, interpreters are often present in situations where human trafficking may be hiding in plain sight. This presentation with Kathy Givens and Ludmila “Mila” Golovine will provide interpreters with practical tools to recognize red flags, understand the dynamics that may influence a potential victim’s behavior, and sharpen their awareness in everyday assignments.
Participants will explore common indicators across various settings—including healthcare, legal, and community encounters—and learn how to distinguish between general vulnerability and signs of trafficking. The session will also address the interpreter’s professional role, including ethical and legal considerations, boundaries of neutrality, and the importance of knowing available resources.
The goal of this session is to move from theory to practice: helping interpreters build confidence in recognizing potential trafficking situations without stepping outside professional responsibilities, while ensuring their work contributes to safer, more informed communication for all parties.
Presenter: Ludimila Golovine, President & CEO of MasterWord; Kathy Givens, Co-Founder of Twelve 11 Partners
15:00-15:10 ET
10 MIN BREAK
15:10-16:10 ET
Relevance, Resilience and Results: Reinventing Interpreter Services for the Next Decade
Healthcare systems today face increasing financial pressures and the rapid emergence of AI-based translation tools. Interpreter services must evolve to remain essential and resilient within this new environment. This presentation will highlight how professional interpreters are indispensable to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and community trust, while also offering cost-saving strategies for health organizations.
Presenter: Victor Sosa, Co-Founder Indigenous Interpreting+
16:10-17:10 ET
Thinking in Color: Mastering the Six Thinking Hats for Interpreters
Join us for an engaging and dynamic interactive session as we explore the powerful world of Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats—a creative and structured approach to thinking that can transform how educational, healthcare, and legal interpreters handle complex professional challenges.
This session is designed to help interpreters in any setting address common difficulties such as maintaining focus, exercising neutrality, managing emotional regulation, and making ethically sound decisions with greater confidence and clarity.
Through interactive activities and thoughtful discussions, this session will provide interpreters with practical tools to improve clarity, objectivity, and confidence in their work. You’ll leave equipped with a colorful new toolkit for navigating challenges, fostering collaboration, and making well-rounded decisions in any interpreting context.
Presenter: Majd Haddad, Certified Interpreter and Interpreter Trainer
17:10-17:15 ET
Closing
*Some sessions are subject to change
CEUs
Approved by:
CCHI: 10 CEUs
ATA: 10 CEPs
RID: 1.2 CEUs
NBCMI/IMIA: 0.9 CEUs
DSHS: 5 CEUs
State Courts:
MD, MI, TX, PA: 12 CEUs
TN: 11.5 CEUs
OR, WA: 11 CEUs
CA: 10 CEUs (CIMCE credits)
AZ, CO, MO, NE, NM, OH, OK, UT, WI: 8 CEUs
Pending Approval: other state courts
Part of the proceeds will be donated to
