As somebody who has been actively involved in localization for over 20 years, I am passionate about the strength of our industry and also the constant need for us to keep evolving how we position ourselves and how we do things. From owning an LSP back in Brazil, to leading localization and interpretation programs, and many strategic global content and brand positioning initiatives, I believe the best results are accomplished when we can truly engage, inspire and activate those around us. I am an inclusionist: I believe everybody has something positive to offer, no matter where you sit at the table. I am a visionary: I believe that if you have your heart in the right place and the true desire to create positive impact, every vision can become reality. I am curious: I believe the status quo is there to be challenged and serve as guidance for change and growth.

For over 25 years, I've blended the precision of global finance with the vibrant art of cultural storytelling. 

From Chicago’s creative pulse to executive roles across Mumbai, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore, and Dublin, I’ve crafted innovative global content and localization strategies that redefine how the world’s most iconic brands connect across cultures.

At GlobalizeWe, our GW Agentic AI™, inspired by oceanic super-intelligence, orchestrates dynamic, geo-specific content ecosystems. Our groundbreaking Octavia v1.5 orchestration engine—collaborating with Sea Turtle governance (in dev.), Manta Ray’s rapid model-serving, Cuttlefish’s context-aware insights, and Sea Urchin’s secure protocols—forms Coral Reef Nodes™, a continuously evolving mesh empowering brands to resonate deeply across 100+ geo-locales.

When not immersed in AI-driven innovation, I host the GlobalizeWe Podcast & YouTube Channel, revealing hidden narratives within data and cultural currents. 

Join the Confluence at GlobalizeWe where we transform traditional broadcasts into vibrant, human-centered dialogues—rooted in curiousity, scaled by intelligence, and always ready for what's next!

Kimberly Miller is the Chief Operating Officer at Argo Translation, bringing over 20 years of language service experience to the team. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Iowa in 2002 and a Master of Arts in Foreign Language and Literature with a specialization in Translation Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 2004. 
 
Kimberly’s passion for language led her to study in Spain, Argentina, and Brazil. Early in her career, she interned at a local nonprofit, providing support for translation and interpretation services. While pursuing her graduate studies, she discovered a strong interest in the operational and project management side of the translation industry, making her eventual role at Argo Translation a perfect match. 
 
Since joining the company, Kimberly has played a pivotal role in its growth and success. Under her leadership, the team has grown 85% in just 5 years, reflecting both her strategic vision and dedication to building a strong, collaborative work culture.  
 
Today, Kimberly thrives in the dynamic environment at Argo Translation, where she enjoys the variety of challenges, the meaningful work, and the supportive atmosphere cultivated by her colleagues. 

Mike VanNorman joined Argo Translation in 2014 after earning his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where he also minored in Brazilian Portuguese and completed the university’s Translation Studies Program. 
 
During a year abroad at the University of Barcelona, Mike discovered his passion for translation, which shaped the focus of his academic and professional journey. Although he continues to enjoy the art of translation, he has found an even greater interest in managing translation projects. 
 
After starting his career at Argo Translation as a project manager, Mike has spent the past decade growing alongside the company. He now leads the production team, managing 14 project managers, a vendor manager, and a training and development manager. His leadership has been instrumental in supporting the company’s expansion and delivering high-quality service to customers. 
 
Mike’s commitment to efficiency, team development, and customer satisfaction continues to drive the success of Argo Translation’s operations. 
 

Redi Jakova is a globally minded professional dedicated to empowering nonprofit organizations, athletes, coaches, and clubs through a comprehensive suite of services—centered on global strategy development and sustainable growth. With many years of experience managing and leading international affairs for a variety of nonprofit organizations, Redi has consistently provided visionary leadership, strategic guidance, and operational direction for international initiatives and partnerships. His efforts have ensured the highest levels of engagement, impact, and growth for the organizations he serves. Redi holds an MBA degree with emphasis in International Business, enriched by hands-on international study trips involving real-world business cases. Further expanding his expertise, he has earned a Certificate of Specialization in Leadership & Management from Harvard Business School Online, including certificates of completion in “Negotiation Mastery,” “Strategy Execution,” and “Power and Influence for Positive Impact.” Redi is also a FIFA Licensed Football Agent and he brings specialized insight and credibility to the sports industry. He serves on the board of directors for the International Federation of Football Agents (IFFA) and is a member of the International Associations Advisory Council for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). His love and passion for international affairs, sports, and entertainment are invaluable assets to the nonprofit organizations he serves and the clients he represents.

Fardad Zabetian is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of KUDO, a company revolutionizing language accessibility to connect people and businesses without boundaries. With a track record of founding two of America’s fastest-growing companies, Fardad has led expansions into Europe and Asia, solidifying his presence as a global business leader. Known for tackling complex projects, he played a pivotal role in the 2012 redesign of the United Nations’ meeting facilities, including the iconic General Assembly Hall in New York. His expertise has also supported major international gatherings, including the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings and key European institutions. At KUDO, Fardad is taking multilingual meetings beyond physical borders, empowering real-time communication across languages and geographies. Passionate about supporting new entrepreneurs, Fardad actively advises early-stage founders and has invested in over 20 startups as an angel investor, sharing his insights and experience to fuel the next wave of innovation and opportunities.

Jim Okamura co-founded the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum (GELF) in 2014 and is a Partner in the retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle. Jim has been a leader in digital retail strategies for over 25 years, and has worked on global ecommerce projects for brands such as Adidas, Gap and Wahl Clipper. He has been a featured speaker at the National Retail Federation and many international digital retail events, and has published numerous global research studies in the retail and consumer goods industries.

Katherine, a native of Chicago, holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in history from Carthage College. Her passion for language and travel led her to Santiago, Chile, where she taught English, managed a language institute, and specialized in translating academic and international development content. Over the years, she has translated extensively, including academic journal articles and books for organizations such as the World Bank. Since joining Multilingual Connections in 2014, Katherine has served in roles ranging from editor and project manager to team lead, and now serves as Managing Director. She is driven by a desire to find creative solutions and create meaningful work experiences for colleagues, linguists, and clients. Katherine appreciates how the translation and localization industry blends language, technology, and business. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, playing soccer, sailing on Lake Michigan, and traveling.

Nick Strozza is the CEO of Interpro Translation Solutions, headquartered in Wheaton, IL with global coverage. Graduating Summa Cum Laude with honors in Marketing and a minor in French, Nick takes a people-centric approach to help set the strategy of Interpro, Interpro's mission is to connect people of different cultures worldwide through language while creating long-term partnerships that bridge cultures and remove language barriers. When not providing translation and localization services, Nick enjoys hanging out with his family, networking, working out, and playing catch with Winston, his Jack Russell Terrier.