Celebrating 5 Years of Growth, Gratitude, and Global Impact at Lionbridge

I was embracing the Monday morning hustle, listening to one of my favorite podcasts, sorting my inbox, and planning my week when LinkedIn graciously reminded me that it’s my 5th work anniversary at Lionbridge. Shortly after, my manager and mentor, Sharon Kiyo, reminded me as well, leading to a flood of sweet congratulatory messages from my PMO team. This morning, my inbox welcomed a special email from John Fennelly , the CEO of Lionbridge, congratulating me on this milestone. The most overwhelming emotion I've felt all week is gratitude. I feel incredibly fortunate to work for a company that truly believes in me.

Mini Philip introduced me to Lionbridge, and Ann (Kezer) Lazarus-Barnes and Rich Tobin took a chance on me. Five years later, here I am – a sixth of my life and a significant part of my career. It’s been a journey I’ve cherished every minute of.

When I started at Lionbridge, my life was very different. I was a young woman who had bravely uprooted herself from Chicago, a fresh MBA graduate relocating to Boston, a city where I knew no one. It was a bold move but an exciting one. Joining Lionbridge, a global leader in language services and localization, was a dream come true. As an immigrant fluent in three languages, I’ve always understood and appreciated the power of languages and localization. Working in this industry has been nothing short of magic.

The hustle and bustle of Boston city life perfectly matched my first few weeks at Lionbridge. I’m grateful for many mentors along the way, but I want to specifically highlight two individuals.

Charles Aoun , my first manager, knew exactly how to harness my energy and ideas from day one. He introduced me to project management and localization and became a fatherly figure, offering advice on both professional and personal matters. Charles was the first to teach me an invaluable lesson: speed is not always the solution. Sometimes, we need to sit with the challenge, let it marinate, take a breath, and then take action.

Sharon Kiyo , my current manager, has been my Project Manager mentor from day one and a role model ever since. I used to joke with colleagues that I wanted to be Sharon when I grew up. Five years later, that still holds true. Sharon always finds solutions to any challenge and knows exactly who to reach out to when needed. Sharon, learning under you has been one of my favorite aspects of working at Lionbridge.

Over the past five years, I have gained extensive exposure and experience, learning far more than just managing budgets, leading cross-functional teams, ensuring on-time deliveries, meeting customers in person, and managing a multicultural staff. Lionbridge has provided a dynamic environment full of new challenges and opportunities, allowing me to grow alongside the company. The continuous belief in me from the organization, coupled with the opportunity to work with brilliant minds and supportive teammates, inspires me to strive for excellence and improve every day.

The past five years have been an incredible journey, filled with valuable lessons, amazing colleagues, and a mission I truly believe in. Time flies when you're having fun! I look forward to another five years of growth and success with this organization, especially as I grow in my new role under Kenneth Hetzel 's leadership and continue working alongside the Americas Enterprise sales team as we tackle new challenges. Thank you, Lionbridge, for an unforgettable journey so far.

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