Welcome back to our interview series with the ELIA Board of Directors! In this series, we’ll get to know the personal and professional journeys of our board members, explore their roles within their companies, and learn more about how they contribute to their ELIA committees. 

Our next feature is Indrė Lelevičienė, CEO of UAB Baltijos vertimai (BV Translations).

What was the most unexpected job or role you’ve had before joining the language services industry, and how did it shape your career?

Before joining the language services industry, I was a professional basketball player, a career driven by my lifelong love for the sport. However, I also had a deep passion for languages, making the decision between the two paths quite challenging. Basketball taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership, and mutual support, which have been instrumental in my current role, where collaboration and encouragement are key.

If your company were a person, what kind of personality would it have and why?

If my company were a person, it would embody the qualities of Nelson Mandela: compassionate, resilient, and dedicated to justice and equality. Mandela’s unwavering commitment to overcoming obstacles and improving the lives of others perfectly mirrors our company’s values. Like Mandela, our company focuses on making a positive impact, supporting those in need, and promoting fairness and inclusivity in everything we do.

Tell us about the ELIA committee or initiative you lead. What’s its main goal and why is it important for the industry?

I lead the ELIA Exchange initiative, which I like to think of as the matchmaking service for the language industry – but instead of finding your soulmate, we’re pairing up talented students with the companies! 

Our main goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world, ensuring fresh talent is equipped with the skills needed to thrive. It’s like setting up a first date between students and their future careers, minus the awkward small talk. This is crucial for the industry because, let’s face it, even translators need a bit of help finding “the one” (job, that is). 😄

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Name: Indrė Lelevičienė
Company: UAB Baltijos vertimai (BV Translations)
Company LinkedIn