ATIA is governed by an Executive Council, which is elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and includes five available voting positions: President, Treasurer, Secretary, VP Northern Alberta, and VP Southern Alberta. The executive Council is joined by Members at Large to form the ATIA Board.
The work of the Board is supported by the hired positions of Administrative Assistant/Examination Coordinator and Development Coordinator.
Executive Council
President:
Hellen Martinez – president@atia.ab.caVP Northern Alberta:
Mayada Tawachi – vp-edmonton@atia.ab.caVP Southern Alberta:
Monica de Maria – vp-calgary@atia.ab.caSecretary:
Samah Elzahaby – secretary@atia.ab.caTreasurer:
Russell Gillis – treasurer@atia.ab.caPast President:
Perla Ben-Zvi
Members at Large
Certified Member Representative – Regina Landeck
Certified Member Representative – Roula Salam
Certified Member Representative – Tania Therien
Certified Member Representative – Elaine Yoshida
Certified Member Representative – Gang Chen
Associate Member Representative – Michel Selim
Staff
Administration/Exam Coordinator:
Allison Downer – admin@atia.ab.caDevelopment Coordinator:
Kea Adachi- development@atia.ab.ca
COMMITTEES:
Associate Members Committee (Open to Associate and Certified Members)
Cristina Alcoforado – Chair
Michel Selim – Co-Chair
Maria Rodrigues
Sarah Burchnall
Melinda Petak
Tatiana Cojocaru
Aida Sarbassova
Diana Khadem
The Associate Members Committee is dedicated to representing and advocating for ATIA’s Associate members. Our mandate is to ensure that the perspectives, concerns, and contributions of Associate Members are meaningfully considered in the Association’s decision-making processes. Through open dialogue and collaboration, we work to identify shared priorities and develop practical solutions that strengthen both our members’ professional growth and ATIA as an organization. This committee is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive community that empowers Associate Members, amplifies their voices, and contributes to the long-term success of the Association and the professions we serve.
Bursary and Community Services Committee (Open to Associate and Certified Members)
Siyi Tonella – Co-Chair
Jocelyne Tendop – Co-Chair
Samah Elzahaby
Xiaoyun (Jessica) Wynnychuk
Ahmad Reza Katouzian
Diana KhademGrants and Bursaries: ATIA is committed to supporting the success of its members by providing financial assistance to reduce some of the pressures faced during challenging times. Our grants and bursaries are designed to help members pursue translation or interpretation projects, achieve personal or professional goals, or participate in professional development opportunities such as seminars, training programs, or courses related to the field.
Grants are available exclusively to Certified ATIA members.
Bursaries are available to both Certified and Associate members, provided the established criteria are met.
Through these initiatives, ATIA strives to encourage ongoing learning, professional growth, and excellence in translation and interpretation.
Community Services: ATIA is proud to give back to the community by offering translation and interpretation services to Alberta-based not-for-profit organizations with limited funding for these essential resources. This initiative not only supports organizations in need but also provides ATIA members with opportunities to contribute their expertise to meaningful causes. In doing so, we also promote greater public awareness of the value of engaging ATIA members—skilled professionals dedicated to upholding high standards of care and quality in translation and interpretation. If you have any questions, you can contact the Bursary and Community Services Committee at: bursary_communitysvc@atia.ab.ca
Discipline Committee (This is a closed committee; all members are appointed by the ATIA Executive Council.)
The Discipline Committee is an ad hoc body that convenes when a complaint alleging a breach of ATIA’s Code of Ethics is brought forward against a member. The committee is responsible for investigating the complaint, gathering evidence, conducting a hearing if required, and recommending appropriate action—whether a sanction or dismissal. Please forward all complaints to the ATIA administrative assistant admin@atia.ab.ca for confidential delivery to the discipline committee.
Events and Professional Development Committee (Open to Associate and Certified Members)
Diana Khadem – Chair
Sarah Burchnall
Aida Sarbassova
Risa Na
The Events and Professional Development Committee is responsible for identifying, planning, and coordinating professional development opportunities for ATIA members. This includes organizing events, webinars, training sessions, and other initiatives that support the professional growth of members while also engaging the broader community.The committee is encouraged to collaborate with other ATIA committees to host or co-host both in-person and online events, fostering connection, knowledge sharing, and ongoing learning within the Association.
Exam Committee (This is a closed committee; all members are appointed by the ATIA Executive Council.)
The Exam Committee works closely with ATIA’s Administrative Assistant, President, and other Board Members to assist ATIA on exam-related matters. Its objectives include reviewing and improving exam-marking guidelines and criteria, helping in exam text selection, providing feedback on marking, and assessment of exams.
Indigenous Languages Committee (Open to Associate and Certified Members)
Tina Wellman – Chair
Roula Salam
Elaine Yoshida
The Indigenous Languages Committee is the first of its kind among the provincial associations and will be working closely with various Indigenous language professionals to design, develop, and pilot the pre-entry level, Associate- level, and the Certified-level assessments and exam procedures. We are proud to be working with translators, interpreters, and language experts from various Indigenous communities across the province to begin developing the framework and procedures to enable translators and interpreters in Indigenous languages to become members of ATIA.
Interpreters Committee (Open to Associate and Certified Members)
Aida Sarbassova – Chair
Shervin Ashraf
Samah Elzahaby
The Interpreters Committee will be working on approaches and solutions to help elevate the status of interpreters across Alberta by helping to create learning and professional development, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities, as well as shaping and promoting standards, and advocating for good working conditions within the interpreting industry.
Interpreters On-dossier Committee (This is a closed committee; all members are appointed by the ATIA Executive Council.)
The Interpreters On-dossier Committee is made up of certified interpreters from the relevant areas of the interpretation field (Court Interpreters, Medical Interpreters, and Conference Interpreters). The committee examines the on-dossier application process, which may include proof of work, references, a curriculum vitae, letters from employers or clients, and other supporting documents, and determines specific requirements for language combinations and/or languages of lesser diffusion. The goal is to ensure aptitude and proven competence in interpreting. The committee reports its recommendations to the ATIA Executive Council, which then decides on finalizing the on-dossier application requirements.
Public Relations Committee (Open to Associate and Certified Members)
– Chair
– Co-Chair
The Public Relations Committee is made up of a dedicated group of Associate and Certified ATIA members and is responsible for managing the organization’s image and communications with the public, media, and stakeholders. This committee’s core tasks include supporting fundraising and community engagement initiatives by raising public awareness of ATIA, its mission, as well as promote events, campaigns, and successes.
Title Protection and Public Relations Committee (This is a closed committee; all members are appointed by the ATIA Executive Council.)
Kea Adachi – Chair
Michel Selim
Samah Elzahaby
Mayada Tawachi
The Title Protection and Public Relations Committee is mandated to conduct thorough research, engage with the appropriate authorities and entities, and adhere to all required procedures (as laid out within the PGA Legislation and Application) in pursuit of Title Protection for ATIA. In close partnership with the Development Coordinator and the President, committee members will coordinate outreach to relevant stakeholders, government bodies, and sector partners throughout Alberta. These efforts will focus on communicating the critical role of ATIA, the rigor of its certification processes, its commitment to high professional standards, and the significance of its Code of Ethics.
HONORARY MEMBERS
Heidi-Marie Seeholzer – Edmonton – Deceased
Juergen Jahn – Calgary