The #1 conference for localization professionals, networking, and industry innovation
A warm welcome from the team at LocWorld
We can’t wait to see you at the next LocWorld!
Our team is here to assist you at any point during the conference. If this is your first time with us, we’d like to introduce you to our core LocWorld family members. You can learn a little about each team member and get a feeling for where and when you may see them.
Donna Parrish is co-organizer of the LocWorld conferences. She was the publisher of the magazine MultiLingual for twenty years. Before that, she was a computer programmer for 25 years. Donna holds a degree in mathematics from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She currently serves as the secretary of CLEAR Global and CLEAR Tech (Translators without Borders).
Ulrich Henes is the founder and president of The Localization Institute, a Madison, Wisconsin-based consulting and event organizing company. In his early years, Ulrich was fascinated by language, cultural differences, and global business. He spent the first decade of his career organizing international campaigns against the arms race and apartheid and promoting global social justice. For the past 25 years, Ulrich has channeled his passion for all things global into promoting awareness and respect for differences among people, countries, and languages in the international business community.
Anne-Marie Colliander Lind joined LocWorld in March 2015 as Marketing Manager. She has been in the language industry since 1990 helping multinational organizations solve their language issues by serving in executive sales and management positions at leading service, technology and market research companies. At LocWorld she ensures that we provide the best possible experience for our growing list of sponsors, exhibitors and attendees. Anne-Marie is a world traveler with a passion for her family, good food and downhill skiing.
Sarah proudly has been with The Localization Institute Inc. since the beginning, being Ulrich’s daughter. She has helped staff the occasional Localization Institute event and LocWorld over the last 20 years. In 2017, she stepped into the role of Exhibit Manager for LocWorld. Over the past ten years, when not working for The Localization Institute, Sarah has made her living as an Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) Stage Manager for professional theater productions at several of Wisconsin’s largest theaters. She loves bringing different productions to life such as older classics like Romeo and Juliet and newer classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas. Sarah loves to travel, and if it can be with friends and family, all the better!
Alex Bernet is the LocWorld video coordinator and serves as a producer of LocWorld’s Process Innovation Challenge (PIC). He also manages the Master Class Program at The Localization Institute. Alex graduated with a B.A. in History and a Certificate in Integrated Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007 and joined the Localization Institute in 2012. Alex moved from Madison, Wisconsin to Denver, Colorado in 2016, where he loves to hike and spend as much time as possible in the great outdoors.
Jill Nellis is our onsite room manager for LocWorld events. She graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992 and joined The Localization Institute, Inc. in 2007. Jill has two grown sons and enjoys reading historical fiction, volunteering, technology, investing, exploring new cities and spending time with family.
Kerri Kuntz joined the LocWorld in 2023 to assist with registration for conferences and has since become the registration manager for LocWorld. She has a diverse professional background working for the US government, has been a small business owner and spent 15 years as an administrator in the recreation industry. Kerri comes to LocWorld with a passion for seeing new places, meeting new people and is enjoying learning about the localization industry. In her free time, she loves spending time in the outdoors, gardening and road tripping.
Kris Wiegand has been with The Localization Institute since 2010, managing the Localization Institute’s seminar program. More recently, she has added the roles of program development for the LocWorld conferences, and managing the project management and quality certification programs for the Localization Institute. A University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, Kris taught middle school science for many years throughout the US. After taking time off to raise her children, Kris is glad to be back to work! She loves to spend time with her family, hike, kayak, read and volunteer.
Erika Jeffries joined LocWorld in July 2024 as Online Content Manager. Erika graduated with a B.S. in Art Education in 1999 and M.S. in Adult, Organizational Learning and Leadership in 2014 both from the University of Idaho. Erika has fifteen years’ experience working in 4-H youth development in Idaho. She also has experience writing 4-H curriculum and providing enrollment system support. Erika believes in building connections wherever you go and bringing people together to work towards common goals. She loves Florida living – sunshine, travel, live music and the outdoors.
Leah Thoreson joined LocWorld’s finance department in June, 2015. She brings over 20 years of accounting experience. Leah loves laughing, traveling, meeting new people, attending outdoor live music events, gardening, spending time with her family especially her 4 grandchildren, wild mushroom foraging and enjoying natural hot springs.
