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 learn more about each candidate’s past experiences and skills that would qualify her or him to represent you on the ELIA Board and to improve the Board’s skill set to help ELIA serve you better in the future.
To view each person’s reason for becoming a candidate, visit the Slate of Candidates 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
Maii Abdel-Wahab
Business Relationship Manager, Arabize
My 15 years of experience at Arabize, a leading LSP and a family business, have equipped me with a robust set of qualifications and skills directly aligned with ELIA’s mission. As a second-generation leader, I aim to leverage my deep operational knowledge of the language services industry and a strategic, long-term perspective to foster sustainable growth for ELIA and its members.
I possess strong communication and business acumen, honed through navigating the complexities of a dynamic market. This includes proven capabilities in strategic planning, financial oversight, and optimising operational efficiencies. My tenure has involved hands-on experience in market analysis, business development, and fostering innovation to maintain a competitive edge within the language services sector.
Furthermore, my background provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by language service companies. I am adept at building collaborative relationships, driving consensus among stakeholders, and advocating effectively for industry interests. My commitment to practical solutions and a forward-thinking approach would enable me to contribute meaningfully to ELIA’s governance, its strategic initiatives, and its continued role as the leading voice for language service businesses in Europe.
What I’m bringig to ELIA is The Black Sheep.
I guess we have established that I’m not the one to blindly comply. Or sit in the corner (well, sometimes I do).
I ask questions. I demand answers. Both are unsettling. And “in this time of turmoil”…. 
(keep thinking what turm-oil is) they are needed.
We also need a spark. Or a tornado. Something has to be done. Things need to be challenged. So why not do it together?
Some people would be happy with status quo.
Those are NOT the people who make history.
The skills? The skills are those of challenging the status quo. Thinking out loud even if it sounds just too-darn-crazy. Listening to new ideas from our members. Listening to the real life problems, the struggles and the wins o our members.
The skills of asking the tough questions, and those of absorbing the answers from our members.
Do we know everything? Of course we don’t. Do we have a solution to everything? Of course not.
But my belief is that if we combine our strengths, that is how progress is made. That is how we change the world. That is how we all win.
Want to make history?
Let’s make history together.
Nuria Castro Gay
Co-founder & Managing Director, Globalingua
I believe I can contribute a growth and innovation-focused vision to ELIA, as well as a commitment to pursuing strategic value. I have developed language solutions that combine technological efficiency and cultural sensitivity, helping companies in various sectors achieve their goals.
My entrepreneurial background has provided me with firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the sector and experience leading multidisciplinary teams in a constantly evolving environment. I have complemented this experience with additional training, and I am currently pursuing a business management and sales program as well as an online MBA. These courses further strengthen my ability to provide a strategic, results-oriented, and market-driven perspective.
I enjoy working in a team, learning from others, and sharing knowledge. I am a goal-oriented and persevering person with strong determination to achieve my goals. I would love to play an active role on ELIA’s Board of Directors, promoting initiatives that strengthen our competitiveness and represent our sector well.
My path runs from interpreter and translator to business development manager at CMT, always chasing what’s new, first of all by anticipating client needs, then in tech and now in AI. I remember when I first used Trados workbench and now I enjoy exploring new tools, both as a user and a tinkerer. My real strength? Connecting people and ideas, old school and new school. I want ELIA to stay the go-to hub for the industry, both in Europe and beyond.
My commitment with the AI Committee is just one example of how I strive to bring real, practical insights to members, and to contribute actively wherever I can add value. I’d also like to see more companies turn to ELIA for reliable partnerships, even for joint projects, making collaboration easy, useful, and honest.
In a nutshell: no big promises, just passion, commitment and… a little humor why not! If you want someone who brings people together and knows when to get serious, that’s me.
I bring nearly 30 years of experience in the language services industry, combining a Business Administration background with hands-on expertise in translation, editing, project management, and operations. As the founder of Anova Translations, I understand both the day-to-day challenges of linguistic production and the strategic demands of running a language service business.
My key strengths include strategic planning, workflow optimization, and the practical integration of AI technologies into translation processes. I actively explore how large language models can improve quality assurance and efficiency and have shared these insights in ELIA-hosted webinars to support knowledge-sharing across the industry.
I’m passionate about professional development, upholding industry standards, and fostering collaboration among LSPs. I believe my mix of operational insight, technological curiosity, and commitment to community makes me well-suited to contribute meaningfully to ELIA’s mission and ongoing evolution.
Aleksandrina Karabasheva
Business Development & Innovations Manager, arte.doc
I’ve been working in the language industry for more than 10 years, starting out as a translator and gradually moving through different roles. Each step has taught me something valuable, from understanding the linguists’ perspective to navigating complex client needs and driving strategic growth.
In my role now as business development and innovations manager at arte.doc, I lead projects across marketing, partnerships, and internal process improvement. I also work on integrating AI tools in ways that support rather than replace human expertise, one example being the training of our AI chatbot for customer support. Alongside that, I contribute actively to ELIA as a member of the AI Committee.
I believe I bring a mix of hands-on experience, strategic thinking, and creative energy. I’m organized, curious, and not afraid to ask questions. I enjoy working with different kinds of people and teams, and I’ve found that the best ideas often come from honest conversations and collaboration. I care a lot about creating connection – between generations, between traditional ways of doing things and new approaches, and most of all, between people.
Daniel Sebesta
Founder & Managing Director, Prague Linguistics
22+ years at the intersection of language, business, and technology
Fellow of ITI and CIOL, Chartered Linguist, member of numerous other industry associations with a global perspective
Past long-time leader of ATA’s Language Technology Division, organizer of numerous industry events
MBA in Pricing and Strategy, Certified Pricing Professional, pricing consultant and trainer
Researcher and author for Slator, primarily in the area of AI and technology
Frequent speaker at industry events and even more frequent attendee of industry conferences around the world