The following ELIA Members have announced that they wish to participate in the 2025 election of the ELIA Board of Directors for four (4) available positions. Each is offering to volunteer her or his time and experience for the betterment of your association. Below you will find each candidate’s vision for helping ELIA serve you better in the future.
To view the qualifications and skills each Candidate has chosen to highlight visit the Slate of Candidates – Qualifications and Skills page or click on the link provided in each of the profiles below.
Election information
The election will begin Monday, 16 June, and end on Monday, 23 June. ELIA Full Members will receive a special mailing with information on how to vote. You are strongly encouraged to review their statements below and any additional materials produced which will help you understand who they are, what they stand for, and, ultimately, who you should vote for.
The Candidates
My strong desire to join the ELIA Board of Directors is rooted in a deep understanding of the language services industry and a conviction in ELIA’s vital role in fostering its members’ success. With more than 15 years of experience within this sector, particularly as a second-generation leader at Arabize, I have gained firsthand insights into the operational realities, market dynamics, and strategic imperatives that drive language service companies. Recognizing ELIA’s core values and its standing as the leading trade association, I am eager to actively contribute to its strategic direction and the collective advancement of its members.
Being part of a family business has provided me with a unique perspective on long-term growth, resilience, and the continuous pursuit of excellence in a competitive landscape. This experience has helped me to further deepen my understanding of business development, client relations, and the importance of adapting to evolving industry demands – all qualities I believe are directly relevant to ELIA’s mission of accelerating its members’ prosperity. I am passionate about leveraging my practical insights to support ELIA’s strategic initiatives, whether it involves advocating for industry standards, facilitating knowledge exchange, or identifying new opportunities for member companies.
I am particularly drawn to ELIA’s commitment to connecting, inspiring, and leading within the language services community. The opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of industry leaders on the board and the various committees, to share best practices, and collectively address the challenges and opportunities facing our sector is incredibly appealing. My motivation is to serve the ELIA community by contributing to its strategic vision, enhancing member value, and helping ensure that ELIA continues to be the leading force in driving the business success of language service companies across Europe.
So let me see. Why would I want to run for the Board of Directors of ELIA?
To be honest, at first I didn’t want to. Then I asked myself, hey, what do you got to lose? What’s the worst that can happen?
Then I got elected two years ago.
And then we started something. It’s happening.
Now I run around and ask the people: “How can I, or better, how can WE, the Board help you, the members?” And the answers are inspiring and are giving me energy and hope. Selfish? I know. But brainpower ain’t no free. It’s one of those things that ain’t overrated.
One has to be inspired from somewhere. ELIA members inspire.
But You all know that there are tough questions to be asked. And there are answers you don’t want to hear. It’s tough. It’s rough. Sometimes downright ugly. But someone has to ask those questions, and someone has to answer similar questions.
We don’t do this because it’s easy. We do it, because we want to fix things.
Yes, we started something here. And I like to finish the chapters of books I’m reading. Not all of them, but this one seems worthy.
My job is not done yet.
We started something here. And I’m still way out of my comfort zone. Then again, I ask myself: “How can anyone learn, grow, evolve, and be helpful by hiding in the dark?”
So why do I want to be on the board again?
Being out there is no playground for the weak. Being out there is the trenches of our industry.
I’ve been in the trenches for some time, but my job is not done yet.
It’s time to step up, speak up, and take the damn wheel.
My job is not done yet.
Oh, and I almost forgot, I hate paying for conferences. 🙂
Nuria Castro Gay
Co-founder & Managing Director, Globalingua
I would like to join the ELIA Board of Directors because I fully support the association’s mission of accelerating the business success of its members, and I would like to contribute to this objective in the most active way possible. In a sector as dynamic and competitive as language services, I firmly believe that the role of an organization like ELIA is more relevant than ever.
Although my company recently joined ELIA, I have already experienced the friendly and welcoming atmosphere within the association and how easy it is to integrate and receive support from the other companies. ELIA’s ability to foster a sense of community, promote professional development, and represent the sector’s interests at the European level are values that motivate me greatly.
My main aspiration is to contribute to the sustainable growth of our industry. My extensive experience in language services has given me an understanding of the strategic challenges we collectively face, and I would like to leverage this experience to promote initiatives that impact members’ business development.
We are living in a time when artificial intelligence is redefining processes and business models. In this new scenario, language service companies must claim a place in the conversation. We must not be passive users of technology but rather experts who can evaluate results, understand limitations, and determine how to responsibly integrate AI into clients’ workflows. We have the linguistic knowledge and judgment necessary to become strategic consultants in the age of AI.
Furthermore, I believe that the future of our industry lies in genuine collaboration between companies, sharing knowledge, generating synergies, and seeking solutions together. Initiatives such as co-creation between partners, mentioned in recent ELIA meetings, seem to me to be key to navigating the turbulent times we are going through. I would like to actively contribute to fostering this spirit by facilitating spaces that help us grow as a collective.
My motivation to join the ELIA Board comes from a genuine desire to give back to a network that is playing a big role in shaping both my professional and personal journey. I believe that real progress in our industry only happens when people work together, share ideas openly, and support each other’s growth. That’s what I want to nurture as a Board member: a community where everyone feels they belong and can contribute.
With nearly three decades of experience in the language services industry, I bring a strategic and multifaceted perspective shaped by a career that bridges business management, linguistic expertise, and technological innovation. My professional background in Business Administration, combined with earlier roles in insurance brokerage, sectoral publishing, and sales management for analytical laboratory equipment, has equipped me with the agility to navigate complex organizational challenges and lead through transformation.
I entered the language industry in 1997 as a translator for Ada Turkey and have since held a wide range of positions including editor, project manager, director of operations, and today, founder and managing director of Anova Translations. This evolution has provided me with a 360-degree view of the industry—from hands-on linguistic work to high-level operations and strategic business development.
At Anova, I focus on delivering high-quality, customized language solutions while embracing the opportunities that AI brings to our industry. I actively work on integrating AI-driven technologies, especially large language models, into translation workflows to improve quality, efficiency, and scalability. I regularly share these insights in webinars and industry sessions, including those hosted by ELIA, to help other LSPs understand how to use AI effectively and responsibly in their own operations.
What sets my approach apart is a blend of technical literacy, operational pragmatism, and a human-centered understanding of language. I strongly believe that the future of our industry lies in the thoughtful fusion of expert human insight with AI capabilities, and in building collaborative ecosystems that benefit all stakeholders—freelancers, LSPs, clients, and technology providers alike.
As a member of the ELIA Board, I would contribute:
• A strategic vision for sustainable innovation in language services
• Advocacy for professional development and inclusive knowledge exchange
• Deep operational understanding of both boutique and large-scale LSP environments
• A commitment to maintaining ethical and quality standards in the age of AI
I view ELIA not only as a network but as an engine of transformation for our industry. My goal is to help strengthen its role as a global leader in thought leadership, community building, and innovation—ensuring that language service providers are equipped, connected, and ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Aleksandrina Karabasheva
Business Development & Innovations Manager, arte.doc
ELIA has always felt like more than just an industry association to me. It’s a space where people genuinely connect, share ideas, and support each other. I’ve felt that since my first Together conference in 2020, and it’s something I really value. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to get involved in different ways – from attending the events and being a speaker, to helping shape Together 2025 and becoming a member of the AI committee. Each experience has inspired me to want to do more.
I’m applying because I want to give back to a community that’s helped me grow – professionally and personally. I believe in what ELIA stands for, and I’d love to help shape its future with energy, humour, open communication, and a strong focus on collaboration.
At our company, I lead business development and innovation, which means I spend a lot of time thinking about what clients and partners need, how our services evolve, and how to stay relevant without losing the human touch. These are the kinds of conversations I’d like to bring to the board – based on practice and open to new ideas.
I want people in our industry to feel as welcomed and comfortable being themselves as I did when I first joined ELIA. Having a space where we can openly exchange ideas, ask questions, connect with others, and share the knowledge – that makes a real difference. ELIA is at its best when it brings together different voices and creates space for all of us to learn, contribute, succeed and move forward together.
I would be truly proud to be part of shaping that.
Daniel Sebesta
Founder & Managing Director, Prague Linguistics
The language industry is going through unprecedentedly turbulent times. As my own business and career are navigating changes in technology, client behavior, and geopolitics, so are professional associations serving our industry.
With over two decades in the field, I have weathered change before, and change management has almost become a passion of mine. In fact, I do not personally thrive in static environments. With a seat on the ELIA board, I am hoping to represent the voice of other change-friendly boutique LSPs as well as freelance translators (hey, I still translate myself every day!) while seeing the bigger picture of the language industry across Europe and around the world.
More than ever before, we need to constantly educate ourselves about evolving technology and market trends to be able to take an active role in shaping our businesses in future-proof and sustainably profitable ways. With my experience in professional development and association strategy, I would be delighted to contribute in those areas.
Last but not least, I have greatly benefited from membership in various professional bodies throughout my career and would be honored to be able to pay it forward.
