Ralph Jung

Ralph Jung Localization Program Consultant, Dell Technologies Ireland | LinkedIn Volunteering with GALA has enabled me to share knowledge, learn from peers and steadily build my profile as a visible and trusted industry professional.

In your view, what is the primary function and purpose of GALA? How can the association have a positive impact on its members? 

GALA is more than a trade association. It is a hub where the global language community connects, learns, and grows together. At its core, GALA provides a neutral and trusted platform where organizations and individuals from every part of the globalization and localization ecosystem can come together to exchange knowledge, insights, and best practices. This spirit of collaboration helps amplify the role of language as a bridge for accessibility and cross-cultural understanding. By encouraging both technical innovation and human collaboration, GALA ensures that our industry remains both forward-thinking and people-focused.

Through its resources, programs and events, GALA delivers tangible value to members to help address real-world challenges. Its initiatives highlight the importance of language services in global business and raise awareness of the industry's essential contribution to communication across borders. Professional development is at the heart of these efforts, with opportunities for continuous learning, leadership growth, and the adoption of evolving best practices. Programs like GALA Academy courses and Special Interest Groups not only support individual professionals but also strengthen companies and elevate the entire industry.

One of GALA's most recognized contributions is its annual conference, which has become a popular gathering for globalization and localization professionals. The event brings together a diverse international community to showcase innovations, and inspire one another and push the industry forward. It reflects what GALA truly represents: an open, inclusive and dynamic community committed to advancing the future of multilingual communication and ensuring that human connection remains central in a rapidly changing world.

How have you engaged with GALA as a member?

I have been deeply engaged with GALA by attending conferences and co-moderating the audiovisual localization SIG. Alongside peers, I organized and led a GALA Academy course, and presented a webinar on localization and accessibility, which allowed me to contribute thought leadership and practical knowledge to the broader professional community.

Why would you make a good GALA board member? What will you bring to the table?

Thanks to 20+ years in Localization, I bring proven leadership in strategy, transformation and community governance, which spans both professional as well as nonprofit settings. At Dell, I mentored and supported program managers, and led initiatives for an AI-first, human-focused transformation. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Innovation & Digital Transformation and over four years of board-level experience as the secretary of the Irish foreign affairs family association (IFAFA) for spouses of diplomats.

Which segment(s) of GALA's membership do you represent? What perspective will you bring?

Segment: Enterprise Globalization. During my past tenure at Dell I spent 11 years in localization-focused program management roles on the product launch side and 3 years in the Translation Team, and was granted a localization patent. I also bring experience in account management, software localization, and as a freelance translator.

What is one thing that every language industry professional needs to hear right now?

Automation may take many forms, but it's the human at its core that makes it meaningful.