GALA Announces Board Candidates

GALA Announces 13 Candidates for the 2027-2029 Board of Directors

Members will elect four directors. Voting opens 14 October and closes 02 November 2026.

The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) today announced the 13 candidates standing for election to its Board of Directors for the 2027-2029 term. Four of the board's seven seats are open this year. Voting opens on 14 October and closes on 02 November 2026.

The candidates lead language services companies, technology providers, interpreting businesses, an academic program, and independent consultancies. Their work spans North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Every candidate brings at least eight years of industry experience and a history of engagement with GALA.

The Board sets GALA's strategic priorities and provides financial oversight. Directors serve as volunteers, and the new term runs from 01 January 2027 through 31 December 2029.

“Thirteen accomplished professionals have offered to give their time to GALA,” said Allison Ferch, GALA Executive Director. “That says a great deal about how much this community cares about the association. Our members have a difficult choice ahead, and that is a good problem for any organization to have.”

The Candidates

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by first name. Each name links to the candidate's profile page.

• Andrea Ballista, Co-founder and CEO, Voiseed
• Annelise Finegan, Academic Director of Translation & Interpreting, New York University
• Cecilia Poratti, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer, Wessence Language Lab
• Dieter Runge, Co-Founder and VP of Global Strategy & Business Development, Boostlingo
• Erik Vogt, solutions and innovation leader and independent advisor
• Johan Botha, Director, Folio Online and Folio InterTel
• Kirti Vashee, Language Technology Evangelist, Translated
• Latha Sukumar, CEO, MCIS Language Solutions
• Luis Miguel, Founder and CEO, Avantpage
• Mladen Stojak, Chief Strategy Officer, Ciklopea
• Paul Barlow, Founder, AWGS
• Yana Dinchiyska, CEO, 1-StopAsia
• Zalán Meggyesi, Chief Solutions Engineer, Easyling

How Voting Works

Every GALA member except student members has one vote. Professional members cast their own votes. Company, university, and nonprofit members vote through a designated voting contact, and GALA is confirming those contacts with member organizations now.

Each voter will receive a unique ballot link by email on 14 October. The ballot asks voters to select exactly four candidates, and the four candidates with the most votes are elected.

The election is valid only if at least 40% of eligible voting members take part, so every ballot matters.

Before You Vote

GALA asks every voter to review all 13 candidate pages before completing a ballot. Each candidate answered the same set of questions about their experience and their view of GALA's future, which makes the pages easy to compare. Each also recorded a video of less than two minutes explaining why they are running.

Candidate pages and videos are available on the Meet the Candidates page.

Key Dates

Questions about the election or the voting process can be sent to membership@gala-global.org.