LEO's 13th International Virtual Conference

June 25 & 26, 2026

Agenda

THURSDAY, June 25, 2026

FRIDAY, June 26, 2026

THURSDAY, June 25, 2026

FRIDAY, June 26, 2026

CEUs Available

Approved by

CCHI10 CEUs

ATA10 CEPs

RID1.2 CEUs

NBCMI/IMIA0.9 CEUs

DSHS5 CEUs

STATE COURTS

PA, TN12 CEUs

TX11.75 CEUs

WA11 CEUs

OR9 General & 1 Ethics CEUs

NM, OK, OH, AZ, CO, MD8 CEUs

MO7 CEUs

and other state courts

Part of the proceeds will be donated to

10:30-10:40 ET	Opening Remarks Speakers: Jinny Bromberg, Jinny BrombergExecutive Director LEO Nisrine El-Hashem. Nisrine El-HashemLEO E-Learning Content Development Specialist
10:40-11:55 ET	What the Future Holds Our opening panel will set the stage for where the industry is headed—and what it will take to succeed as we continue to navigate leaps in AI, shifting regulations, and fast-changing client expectations, many of us are feeling both the pressure and the potential these trends bring. As we always do in this session, we’ll look ahead to the rest of the current year and beyond, unpacking how new service models, AI-driven tools, and rising demand for niche expertise are reshaping the way we work. We’ll dig into what this means for standards, certifications, skills development, and career paths, and we’ll share concrete ideas for staying agile, building resilience, and positioning yourself and your organization for long-term growth. Panelists: Natalya Mytareva, Natalya MytarevaExecutive Director of CCHI, Vice Chair of the National Commission for Certifying AgenciesNatalya Mytareva, M.A., is Executive Director of CCHI, and Vice Chair of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. She is a recipient of the 2025 Alexander Gode Medal from ATA, and the 2023 Language Access Champion award from NCIHC. She is a Russian interpreter/translator and holds a combined BA/MA degree from Volgograd State University in Philology & Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Jay Marciano, Jay MarcianoPresident, AMTA & IAMTJay Marciano is President of the Association for Machine Translation in the Americas (AMTA) and President of the International Association for Machine Translation (IAMT). Josh Pennise. Josh PenniseFounder & Former CEO, ALCJosh Pennise is Founder & Former CEO, President of ALC, and Strategic Advisor to Language Service Companies.
11:55-12:10 ET	15 MIN BREAK
12:10-13:10 ET	From Rules to Reasoning: Tracing the Real Consequences of Ethical Violations in Healthcare Interpreting In an era of AI interpreting tools, what keeps a certified human interpreter irreplaceable? One of the answers is their adherence to ethics and accountability. This session bridges the gap between knowing ethical rules and the complex skill of “forward reasoning” – tracing exactly who is harmed, and how, when ethical principles are breached. This interactive session moves beyond theory by guiding participants through realistic workplace scenarios to map impacts across patients, providers, and the healthcare system. Participants will engage in live polls, structured chat responses, and facilitated whole-group synthesis, leaving with a Consequence Mapping Template for their reflective practice going forward. Presenter: Natalya Mytareva. Natalya MytarevaExecutive Director of CCHI, Vice Chair of the National Commission for Certifying AgenciesNatalya Mytareva, M.A., is Executive Director of CCHI, and Vice Chair of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. She is a recipient of the 2025 Alexander Gode Medal from ATA, and the 2023 Language Access Champion award from NCIHC. She is a Russian interpreter/translator and holds a combined BA/MA degree from Volgograd State University in Philology & Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
13:10-13:30 ET	20 MIN LUNCH BREAK
13:30-14:30 ET	The Barn Door is Open – AI is Here to Stay. Providing Practical Educational Information to AI Users and Purchasers With the seemingly infinite daily evolution of AI technology, it can be difficult to see beyond the horizon particularly when linguists are just trying to keep themselves above the rising AI tide. The rapid evolution of AI-based programs has outpaced government efforts to regulate AI development and use. While legislatures and governments are quickening their pace to catch up with AI, now is a crucial time. Explosive AI growth has revealed substantial flaws and issues that need correcting, issues such as biased AI-results, AI-errors, and using AI as a catchall to save money and displace human beings who are experts in their field. Now, as increased AI awareness begins to spread widely, is the time for education about what exactly organizations are buying and the inherent risks in no holds barred AI implementation, such as cutting out or reducing irreplaceable human supervision and oversight. In our program, we will discuss the most recent AI developments, AI biases, and the headlong rush to embrace AI without informed consideration of cost, potential harms, and inherent liability concerns. Plus, we will outline best practice educational approaches while recognizing that AI is here to stay. The AI-barn door is not closing. With that reality, it is imperative to offer high-level, practical discussions of AI considerations, training, and vulnerabilities. Presenter: Bruce Adelson. Bruce Adelson, Esq.Federal Compliance ConsultantBruce Adelson is a highly-regarded expert in language access, disability access, and compliance. He serves as the ADA Consultant to the Idaho Supreme Court and New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts. Previously a Senior Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice. He serves on the faculty of Georgetown University School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
14:30-15:30 ET	Tech Savvy Freelancer Panel What did it mean to be a tech-savvy freelancer in June 2024 and 2025—and how has that definition evolved over a course of 2 years? In this engaging and energetic panel, our returning panelists with diverse industry experience reflect on the rapid technological shifts shaping freelance work today. Nora, Gaby, and Caitilin will share how their approaches to tools, workflows, and professional development have evolved as AI, automation, and new platforms continue to transform the language industry. By bringing together perspectives from different stages of the profession’s technological journey, the discussion will highlight how adaptability, curiosity, and professional expertise remain essential qualities for navigating change. From emerging AI tools to evolving client demands, our panelists will share insights on how linguists continue to adapt and stay competitive. In line with the conference theme, this session emphasizes the resilience and evolution of language professionals—demonstrating that while technology continues to evolve, the human expertise behind it remains indispensable. Panelists: Nora Diaz, Nora DíazEnglish-Spanish Translator & Conference InterpreterNora Díaz is an English-Spanish translator and conference interpreter with a passion for technology and productivity. She serves as Chair of ATA’s Professional Development Committee and co-hosts the AI in Translation Summit. Recognized as a Top 30 Woman in the Language Industry by Multilingual Magazine in 2023 and received the ATA Innovation Award in 2024. Gabriela Siebach, Gabriela SiebachSpanish Interpreter & Adjunct Instructor, UMass-AmherstGabriela Siebach is a Spanish interpreter and adjunct instructor at UMass-Amherst with over 20 years of professional experience. She is a certified healthcare interpreter (CHI-Spanish), a certified Spanish court interpreter in California and North Carolina, and holds a graduate degree from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Caitilin Walsh. Caitilin WalshATA-Certified French-English translator specializing in Software and Gastronomy, Past ATA and NOTIS PresidentCaitilin Walsh is an ATA-Certified French-English translator specializing in software and gastronomy and a translator educator. A past president of the American Translators Association and the Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society, she is driven to bring organizations and institutions together on a local and national scale to create and illuminate educational pathways for emerging bilinguals seeking to use their skills in rewarding careers. She currently serves as President of AFTI, the American Foundation for Translation and Interpretation. She brings her strong opinions on professionalism as an instructor in the Master’s T&I program at New York University. When not at her computer, she can be found pursuing creative endeavors from orchestra to the kitchen.
15:30-15:40 ET	10 MIN BREAK
15:40-16:40 ET	Communication Is the Work: Why Trained Interpreters Matter Before, During, and After the Encounter This presentation examines communication as a dynamic process that extends beyond linguistic accuracy and unfolds before, during, and after the interpreted encounter. While trained interpreters are essential, misunderstandings persist even when language is shared or accurately interpreted. These breakdowns often arise not from words alone, but from differences in culture, power, expectations, and lived experience factors that shape how messages are delivered, received, and understood. This session reframes interpreters as communication professionals whose training, insight, and judgment actively shape outcomes. Participants will explore how nonverbal cues, institutional dynamics, and prior experiences influence interactions with healthcare professionals, and how well-intended conversations can become misaligned despite linguistic accuracy. The presentation will highlight moments when communication begins to derail and will offer practical, ethical strategies that trained interpreters use to address misunderstanding without overstepping professional boundaries. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing confusion, supporting clarity, and fostering shared understanding while maintaining accuracy, neutrality, and role integrity. This session positions interpreters not only as linguistic experts, but as essential contributors to equitable communication. By examining the full lifecycle of the interpreted encounter, participants will gain tools to strengthen collaboration, reduce preventable misunderstandings, and improve outcomes for limited-English-proficient individuals across settings. Presenter: Jorge Mejia. Jorge MejiaCertified Interpreter & Director of Language AccessJorge Mejia is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI) with nearly 20 years of experience advancing language access in healthcare. In 2024, he became Director of Language Access and Inclusive Services at Ventura County Medical Center, where he is building the department from the ground up. Previously, he spent nine years at Natividad Medical Center as a Healthcare Interpreter and later Interpreter Services Supervisor.
16:45-17:30 ET	Breakout Rooms Room 1: Bruce Adelson Bruce Adelson, Esq.Federal Compliance ConsultantBruce Adelson is a highly-regarded expert in language access, disability access, and compliance. He serves as the ADA Consultant to the Idaho Supreme Court and New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts. He serves on the faculty of Georgetown University School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Room 2: Bromberg & Associates ( Jorge Pineda Jorge PinedaTalent Acquisition Specialist Bromberg & Associates ) Room 3: LEO ( Jinny Bromberg Jinny BrombergExecutive Director LEO and Doha Zahreddine DohaCourse Administrator LEO ) Room 4: Bill Rivers Bill RiversPrincipal at WP Rivers and AssociatesDr. Bill Rivers is the immediate past and founding Chair of ASTM Technical Committee F43, Language Services and Products, and chairs the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO Technical Committee 232, Education and Learning Services. – Advocacy and Safe AI

10:30-10:35 ET	Opening Remarks Speaker: Jinny Bromberg. Jinny BrombergExecutive Director LEO
10:35-12:00 ET	Legal Panel In our Legal panel, we will take a close look at recent legal developments that have impact on the industry, including several encouraging decisions and policy shifts that represent some progress for the profession. As always, in our conversation we will translate these changes into clear, practical guidance you can use right away to support your professional decision-making and reduce risk in your day-to-day work. As we look ahead to what may be coming from Washington, D.C., we will discuss anticipated regulatory trends, potential legislative moves, and enforcement priorities—and what they mean for your organization, your clients, and your career from a practical perspective. The Legal panel is a session you won’t want to miss if you plan to stay ahead of the curve and make informed choices. Panelists: Bruce Adelson, Bruce Adelson, Esq.Federal Compliance Expert, Former DOJ Senior Trial AttorneyBruce Adelson is a highly-regarded expert in language access, disability access, and compliance. He serves as the ADA Consultant to the Idaho Supreme Court and New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts. Previously a Senior Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice. He serves on the faculty of Georgetown University School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Rosemary Ford. Rosemary FordASL Interpreter, System Director of Interpreter ServicesRosemary Ford is System Director of Interpreter Services at Covenant Health. A nationally certified Oral Transliterator and NH licensed ASL interpreter since 2010. She oversees Interpreter Services across multiple hospitals and has established best practices for serving LEP, Deaf/hard of hearing individuals and persons with disabilities.
12:00-12:10 ET	10 MIN BREAK
12:10-13:10 ET	Beyond the Sales Pitch: A Framework for Evaluating AI Interpreting Solutions As AI interpreting tools rapidly enter the market, language access managers and procurement staff face mounting pressure to adopt these technologies—often with limited guidance on how to evaluate vendor claims or protect quality standards. The good news: the fundamentals of effective language access haven’t changed. This interactive session shows how to apply your existing Language Access Plan (LAP) framework alongside the SAFE AI Interpreting Solutions Evaluation Toolkit to make informed decisions about AI adoption. Through practical scenarios and discussion, participants will learn to use structured checklists that build on established language access principles to: Challenge vendor accuracy claims and identify red flags Assess organizational readiness for technology changes Evaluate risk across different interpreting settings Design appropriate AI-human workflows based on communication complexity Calculate true implementation costs beyond subscription fees Whether facing pressure to “go AI” or building a thoughtful hybrid model, you’ll gain practical tools to ensure technology adoption strengthens—rather than undermines—your language access program’s core mission. Presenter: Katharine Allen. Katharine AllenDirector of Language Industry Learning, BoostlingoKatharine Allen, MA is Director of Language Industry Learning at Boostlingo and Principal at Words Across Borders. A founding member of the SAFE AI in Interpreting Task Force, she co-founded InterpretAmerica (recipient of ATA’s Alexander Gode Medal, 2021) and has authored multiple interpreter training textbooks. Named a MultiLingual Magazine Power Woman Influencer in 2024.
13:10-13:30 ET	20 MIN LUNCH BREAK
13:30-14:00 ET	Beyond Language: Accessibility Standards Everyone Should Know As communication increasingly takes place online, linguists are working in digital spaces that must be accessible to people with diverse disabilities. Accessibility is no longer only a technical issue for web developers, it directly impacts how language access services are delivered in virtual meetings, telehealth, education, and public services. This session introduces interpreters to the key accessibility frameworks shaping digital communication worldwide, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the European Accessibility Act. Participants will learn how these frameworks influence the design of platforms and user experience for remote interpreting, webinars, telehealth, and online conferences, and why understanding accessibility is increasingly important for language professionals. Presenter: Jessica Yaacoub. Jessica YaacoubDirector of Operations & Development, Bromberg & AssociatesJessica Yaacoub is Bromberg’s Director of Operations and Development and Chief Accessibility Officer. She supervises communication across all departments and steers the company toward development and accessibility goals. She is a native Arabic speaker with fluency in French, holds a Bachelor’s in Linguistics with Computer Science, and earned her MBA at the University of Illinois.
14:00-14:30 ET	Introduction to Accent Modification for Interpreters and Linguists This interactive session explores the role of accent modification in improving intelligibility and confidence in spoken English, particularly in professional and academic contexts. Participants will gain insights into the key features of speech that most strongly influence listener comprehension, including stress patterns, rhythm, and commonly misunderstood sounds. During the session, attendees will also participate in a listening exercise where they will hear speakers with different accents and attempt to identify the speaker’s country or region. This activity highlights how listeners perceive accents and opens a discussion about accent awareness, listener expectations, and communication clarity in global settings. Presenters: Zouheir Moussa, Zouheir MoussaLinguist and English Language SpecialistZouheir Moussa is a linguist and English language specialist with 20+ years of global experience. He helps professionals refine their English for clarity, confidence, and authentic communication through a blend of linguistic precision and cultural insight. Nisrine El-Hashem. Nisrine El-Hashem, M.S.Speech and language pathologist and e-learning content developer specializing in language access and interpreter training.Nisrine El-Hashem, M.S., is a speech and language pathologist and e-learning content developer specializing in language access and interpreter training. She earned her master’s degree in Boston, Massachusetts, and develops courses on specialized interpreting, accent modification, and cross-cultural communication. Born in Lebanon, Nisrine is especially interested in how language and culture shape communication across different communities.
14:30-15:30 ET	Don’t You DARE Forget About the Patient Language Access has developed into more than just requesting qualified interpreters and utilizing certified translators. Based on the experience of working in multiple healthcare and education settings and informal studies, we will explore common practices which organizations can implement to enhance the end-user experience for both providers and clients in clinical and education conversations in the US. Presenter: Dale Lundstrom. Dale LundstromCertified Healthcare Interpreter & Interpreter TrainerDale Lundstrom is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter and interpreter trainer based in Salt Lake City, UT. His work spans freelance interpretation and translation along the Wasatch Front in Utah, training new interpreters within the community and at Intermountain Health, and educating bilingual staff on the importance of qualified interpretation.
15:30-15:40 ET	10 MIN BREAK
15:40-16:40 ET	Why Every Court Interpreter Must Understand Criminal Procedure Court interpreters often focus intensely on vocabulary, terminology, and linguistic equivalence. While these elements are essential, they are insufficient on their own. Without a working knowledge of criminal procedure, even a linguistically skilled interpreter may struggle in the courtroom. Criminal trials follow a structured and constitutionally grounded progression: jury selection, opening statements, presentation of evidence, closing arguments, jury deliberation, verdict, sentencing, and potential appeals. Each stage carries distinct legal purposes and communicative patterns. Understanding this flow directly impacts interpreting performance. This practical session will unpack how procedural context improves accuracy, how anticipation reduces cognitive load, while procedural awareness enhances ethical compliance, and reflect on how criminal procedure serves as the roadmap for the courtroom. Interpreters who understand this roadmap navigate proceedings with greater confidence, accuracy, and authority. Presenter: Lermit Diaz. Lermit R. Diaz SalazarTrilingual Author, Interpreter & EntrepreneurLermit R. Diaz Salazar is a trilingual author, interpreter, and entrepreneur whose work bridges cultures and gives voice to the silences of migration, memory, and resilience. He is the author of Legal Interpretation in the U.S. Courts and serves as a court and medical interpreter across Michigan. He is also the founder of FM Carbide, an e-commerce platform.
16:40-17:40 ET	Podcasters Panel: Voices of the Language Industry Podcasts have become a powerful space for learning, connection, and staying informed in the language profession. In this panel, language industry podcasters from the US, Canada and Argentina will share insights into how podcasts help professionals stay on top of emerging trends, have meaningful conversations about the industry, and come up with new ideas shaping the field. Panelists will discuss the importance of podcasts as a learning tool, a platform for professional dialogue, and a way to build community across the language industry. The session will also offer practical insights for professionals interested in starting their own podcasts or being guests on podcasts and using both sides of this medium to contribute to industry conversations. Aligned with the conference theme, this session highlights how podcasts amplify the voices, knowledge, and experiences that continue to strengthen and shape our profession. Panelists: Mireya Perez, Mireya PérezLanguage Access Strategist & Creator of Brand the InterpreterMireya Pérez is a language access strategist, interpreter trainer, and the creator of Brand the Interpreter. She works with educational agencies to design language access plans and collaborates with language service providers to develop training programs for interpreters. Her work is driven by a passion for elevating language professionals. Robin Ayoub, Robin AyoubFounder and CEO of N49NetworksRobin Ayoub is a globally recognized leader in the language services and localization industry with more than two decades of experience driving growth, innovation, and industry transformation. He is the Founder and CEO of N49Networks, a strategic advisory firm. Dolores Rojo Guiñazú. Dolores Rojo GuiñazúCertified Sworn Translator, Quality Assurance SpecialistDolores Rojo Guiñazú is a certified sworn translator specializing in quality assurance, ISO standards, and audio-based communication. She holds an MBA in Marketing Management and is a Certified International Copyeditor. An active member of IRAM and serves on multiple ATA committees. Creator of a podcast bridging language, culture, and professional development.
17:40-17:50 ET	Closing

LEO's 13th International Virtual Conference

June 25 & 26, 2026

Agenda

CEUs Available

Accredited by:

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