Top Voices: The Global Insights Exchange

Hosted by International Achievers Group

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May 2026

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About the show

Conversations with global thought-leaders on the future of globalization and localization. An initiative brought to you by International Achievers Group. Share. Learn. Network. Humanize. Grow. Top Voices: The Global Insights Exchange is a unique globinar initiative designed to amplify the untold stories, challenges, and future aspirations of global decision-makers whose work impacts or intersects with the localization and globalization industry. Our innovative globinar concept bridges the gap between global buyers (clients) and Localization Service Providers, sparking insightful discussions that inspire, enlighten, and inform. The mission for ”Top Voices” remains steadfast: to create a dynamic platform for global players and influencers to share their experiences, humanize perceptions and drive thought leadership within localization and globalization communities. Through engaging conversations, centred around humanizing personal narratives, industry challenges, and future outlooks, our globinar offers unparalleled value to its attendees.

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21 recent

May 14, 2026Episode 2156 min

Episode 21: Mirko Lorenz, Innovation Manager @ Deutsche Welle

Top Voices podcasts have been focused on diversity from the outset. Paula McGrath and Bruno Herrmann have had the opportunity to talk to leaders in a variety of functions, roles, locations and industries so far. This new episode is no exception as they welcome Mirko Lorenz. Mirko is an Innovation Manager with Deutsche Welle, one of the major content creators and broadcasters in Europe. He is also the Co-founder and Chairman of Datawrapper and he combines two passions: journalism and technology. Deutsche Welle manages and delivers content in 7 core languages (Arabic, Mandarin, English, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian) in addition to news and information in 23 other languages. Therefore, Mirko knows what it takes to build an ecosystem and use tools producing multilingual content effectively in an engaging, meaningful and relevant way for international audiences. During this conversation, Mirko explains why content management is crucial for the media industry and how he has ended up in his current position in this Germany-based organization that is well known all over the world. And, of course, he shares his perspective on how AI plays out in the automation of processes and workflows while keeping humans in the center. Listen to this episode to find out how Deutsche Welle stands out in the field of international broadcasting. Und Viel Spaß!

March 31, 2026Episode 2051 min

Episode 20: Véronique Özkaya, Chief Executive Officer @ DATAmundi

Another conversation with a CEO of a truly global company! But not any CEO. And not any company. This episode of Top Voices was a wonderful opportunity to talk to one of the most famous CEOs of one of the most innovative companies that really moves the needle in the AI age. A company that enables organizations to get and enhance the data they need to train their model(s) cost and time effectively. You guessed it. Paula McGrath and Bruno Herrmann were delighted to welcome Véronique Özkaya from DATAmundi in the recording studio in Dublin, Ireland. And what a discussion it was! Véronique is second to none to explain why everything starts and thrives with data when it comes to AI-enriched processes and ecosystems. Creating and managing data that meets accuracy, relevance and trustworthiness requirements must be based on expertise and experience. Please check this episode to know more about how Véronique Özkaya and DATAmundi are leaders in the field of data effectiveness.

March 4, 2026Episode 1953 min

Episode 19: Lorcan Malone, Chief Executive Officer @ XTM International

It was a real pleasure to talk to Lorcan Malone about his international journey, impressive background and what XTM has in store in the near future. There could be no better moment to discuss trends and challenges in global content and product management with such a global CEO. XTM has been one of the first major players in the language technology industry to build a vision grounded in ecosystems and to deliver on it. So, no surprise that this company is well known for helping customers with robust solutions to create truly multilingual and multimodal experiences. Do not miss this episode to find out more about Lorcan Malone and his perspective on the changing times we are going through.

February 18, 2026Episode 181 hr 1 min

Episode 18: Amer Qobti, Arabic Localization Expert

Sharing the perspective of a global citizen on translation, localization and the language industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Join us in this episode of the Top Voices Podcast as Amer Qobti, Arabic Localization Expert, shares his journey and insights with Paula McGrath, CEO of International Achievers Group, and co-host Bruno Herrmann, Strategic Advisor of International Achievers Group. Find out how this true global citizen considers the evolution of multilingual content and the value of such content in business and human relationships. This episode is packed with great insights for anyone interested in the role of translation and localization within global content and product management in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Key Discussion Points: • Language expertise: translation and localization professionals go way beyond words and create engaging experiences for local audiences. • Leading role of Saudi Arabia in the language industry: the country stands out on the global scene by developing skills and investing in innovation. • AI and localization: the balance between AI-driven automation and human-led augmentation is key to elevate localization as a value creator and to integrate it in global content operations.

December 12, 2025Episode 171 hr 2 min

Episode 17: David Webb, VP Global Enterprise Sales @ XTM International

From Afterthought to Infrastructure: How AI Is Changing Localization, Roles, and Enterprise Expectations In this episode of the Top Voices Podcast, hosts Paula McGrath and Bruno Herrmann sit down with David Webb, Vice President of Global Enterprise Sales at XTM International, for an honest discussion on where language technology is heading—and what enterprises are getting wrong about AI. David explains why AI has “put translation on the map” at executive level, but also why the hard part is turning buzzwords into operational value. The conversation explores ecosystem-driven language management, internal evangelism, and the shift toward data-centric roles like Language Data Manager and AI Strategist—while stressing that multilingual AI can’t succeed without deep language expertise. Highlights Include: ➞ The AI Reality Check: “What does AI mean to you?” and why that question matters ➞ Enterprise Buying Shifts: How conversations have changed in the last 24 months ➞ The Cost Myth: The danger of “zero-cost translation” and its impact on talent and quality ➞ Language as Art + Science: Why data scientists need language experts (and vice versa) ➞ Solutions vs Services: How positioning changes internal adoption and ROI visibility ➞ The Internal Evangelist: Helping localization leaders sell value across legal, product, and marketing ➞ Partnership Mindset: Trust, transparency, and consultative sales in language tech If you work in localization, language technology, AI, or global content operations—this episode is packed with practical framing you can use immediately. An initiative brought to you by International Achievers Group: https://internationalachieversgroup.com/

November 6, 2025Episode 161 hr 19 min

Episode 16: Peter Madahian, General Manager @ Exacta & President of the Canadian Language Industry Association

AI, Community Interpreting, and the Future of Canada’s Language Industry In this episode, Peter Madahian, General Manager at Exacta and President of the Canadian Language Industry Association (CLIA), joins hosts Paula McGrath and Bruno Herrmann to explore how Canada’s language sector is evolving in an era of AI, austerity, and global change. Peter shares his unexpected journey from studying psychology and working in mental-health interpreting to leading one of Canada’s most respected community-interpreting firms and representing nearly 100 language companies nationwide. Building Canada’s Language Landscape Peter offers an inside look at the Canadian Language Industry Association, its role in promoting ethics, quality, and linguistic diversity, and how community interpreting supports healthcare, immigration, and legal systems across more than 160 language pairs including newcomer and Indigenous languages. AI, Policy, and Market Shifts Discover how AI is reshaping translation and interpreting, from operational efficiencies and data analytics to government-built translation engines. Peter explains how Canada’s federal budget cuts and tariff changes are transforming both public and private-sector demand for language services. From Vendor to Value Partner The conversation dives into how language service providers can move up the value chain, transitioning from low-margin, per-word pricing to trusted partnerships that add measurable business value. Peter, Paula, and Bruno also debate the notion of “educating the client,” and why collaboration, not lecturing, is key to building lasting trust. Future Outlook From Canada’s new AI ethics standards to emerging opportunities in language data, defence, and technology, Peter shares why smaller, agile LSPs can still thrive if they invest in people, training, and partnerships at home and abroad. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in AI in translation, community interpreting, or the future of language services in Canada and beyond. An initiative brought to you by International Achievers Group https://internationalachieversgroup.com

August 28, 2025Episode 151 hr 33 min

Episode 15: Emil D. Atanassov, VP Internationalization & Accessibility Engineering @ ServiceNow

AI, Accessibility, and Global User Experience at Scale In this episode, Emil Atanassov, VP of Internationalization and Accessibility Engineering at ServiceNow, shares his unconventional journey from studying American history to leading global engineering teams at one of the world’s most innovative SaaS companies. Hosts Paula McGrath and Bruno Herrmann engage Emil in a wide-ranging discussion about building customer-centric experiences, scaling global operations, and the transformative role of AI in localization and accessibility. From History Graduate to Global Tech Leadership Emil recounts his career path from unexpected entry into localization to spearheading ServiceNow’s internationalization and accessibility efforts, including growing the company’s Irish team from just 3 employees to over 700. AI, Internationalization, and Accessibility Discover how ServiceNow integrates generative AI and small language models (SLMs) to simplify multilingual workflows, enable self-localization, and ensure seamless global user experiences. Emil also explains why accessibility is becoming mission-critical, with the European Accessibility Act driving innovation in inclusive design. Customer-Centric Strategies and the Future of Localization The conversation emphasizes the importance of customer obsession, data-driven decision making, and empowering clients to manage multilingual content at scale. Emil shares why balancing people, processes, and technology is essential to operationalizing AI in enterprise environments. Industry Challenges and Opportunities From hiring for mindset and transferable skills to redefining what “good” looks like in global UX, Emil offers practical advice for leaders navigating rapid change in the language management and technology sectors. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, accessibility, and customer-driven innovation in the global tech industry.

July 31, 2025Episode 141 hr 3 min

Episode 14: Peter Reynolds, CEO @ memoQ

Exploring the Future of Language Tech with AI and Customer-Centric Approaches In this episode, Peter Reynolds, CEO of memoQ, shares his journey from social work to leading a cutting-edge translation technology company. Hosts Paula McGrath and Bruno Herrmann engage with Peter in a comprehensive discussion about memoQ's strategic focus and the exciting innovations in translation services. Innovation and Agile Practices in Translation Discover how memoQ leverages agile methodologies to enhance product development and maintain a competitive edge. Peter discusses the evolving role of AI in translation and the importance of context and data management. Customer-Centric Strategies The conversation highlights the significance of engaging with customers to drive meaningful innovation. Learn about memoQ's approach to understanding customer needs and creating value in the language management industry. Industry Challenges and Trends Peter sheds light on the current challenges in the industry, including talent acquisition and the importance of balancing quality and value. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of translation technology and the strategic integration of AI in language services.

June 27, 2025Episode 131 hr 27 min

Episode 13: Tommaso Rossi, Director of Localization @ Spotify

Empowering Localization with AI and Cultural Insight: A Conversation with Tommaso Rossi In this engaging episode, Tommaso Rossi, Director of Localization at Spotify, joins hosts Paula McGrath and Bruno Herrmann to explore the innovative intersection of AI, culture, and ethics in the localization industry. Don't miss Tommaso Rossi's insights on AI's transformative role and the cultural nuances essential for success in localization. AI's Impact and Ethical Use We dive into AI's role in enhancing efficiency and opening new content accessibility avenues, while emphasizing the importance of ethical technology use to benefit businesses and consumers alike. Cultural Relevance and Business Strategy Tommaso shares how localization drives business success at Spotify by adapting products for diverse markets, highlighting its strategic role in decision-making and development. People and Partnerships The episode covers talent management challenges and opportunities, including effective hiring practices, fostering transparency, and building trust-based client-vendor relationships. Future Aspirations in Localization Looking to the future, Tommaso outlines his vision for advancing localization at Spotify, aiming to exceed current requirements and proactively drive improvements. Listen Now Join us for a thought-provoking discussion filled with actionable insights for localization professionals seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of AI and cultural adaptation.

May 29, 2025Episode 121 hr 36 min

Episode 12: Emma Keane, Head of Localization @ Balsam Brands

Emma Keane on Language, Culture, and Global Expansion at Balsam Brands In this insightful episode, Emma Keane, Head of Localization at Balsam Brands, joins Paula McGrath and Bruno Herrmann to share her journey and expertise in the localization industry. Emma's passion for languages and her role in expanding Balsam Brands' global reach are at the heart of this engaging conversation. Key Topics Discussed: Localization and Language Mastery: Discover how Emma's love for languages has shaped her career and influenced her work in the tech and language management sectors. Evergreen Business Philosophy: Learn about Balsam Brands' commitment to a people-first, sustainable growth model and how it impacts their global strategy. Cultural and Linguistic Accuracy: Understand the critical importance of getting localization right, from product descriptions to customer interactions. AI and Machine Translation: Explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into localization processes while maintaining quality. Workplace Culture and Expansion: Hear about the benefits of fostering a collaborative and flexible work environment as Balsam Brands scales internationally. Join us for an episode full of practical insights and strategies for navigating the complexities of global content management and localization.