Ten years.
A whole decade of voices, ideas, collaborations, risks, and growth. And while anniversaries are often marked by numbers, for Women in Localization Catalunya (WLCAT), these 10 years mean something deeper: a shared journey shaped by hundreds of women who believed in community before community was a trend, who chose learning and resilience, and who showed daily that our industry thrives when we lift each other up.
In November, as we gathered to celebrate our 10th anniversary, something became clear: we were honoring the legacy that brought us here while preparing for the future.
And if we’re honest…We’re still coming down from the emotional high.
A Celebration Rooted in Our Three Pillars
The Catalunya Chapter anniversary event was designed around the pillars that have defined us since day one: community, equality, and innovation. These aren’t just words on our website; they’re the values that have guided every workshop, panel, mentorship session, and conversation we’ve shared over the years.
We opened the evening with an invitation to reconnect: a space where members, volunteers, newcomers, and long-time friends could finally meet, many for the first time, after years of collaborating behind screens. A space filled with inspiration, learning, and real human connection.
Across three powerful talks, our speakers reminded us why Women in Localization exists, and why our mission is more necessary than ever.
Equality: Understanding the Paradox of Feminization in Translation
In a sector where women are the majority, inequality can be easy to overlook. María Victoria Tinto Riera, a specialized lawyer in gender equality, brought this paradox to the forefront.
Her message was clear and empowering: It’s not large budgets that drive equality, but intention and action. She demonstrated how even the smallest companies can implement equality plans and create fairer processes, and how excuses only reinforce the status quo.
Her talk was a powerful reminder that our mission is ongoing and collective, and that every woman in the industry has a role in shaping more equitable workplaces.
Community: Thinking Beyond the Lines
Our second speaker, Laia Camps Bisbal, continued the celebration with a call to expand our horizons: “Think Beyond the Lines.”
As a W.L. mentor and Production Director at TransPerfect, Laia knows firsthand how often we underestimate ourselves. Her talk challenged the words that limit us, such as “I can’t,” “I don’t know,” or “It is not enough.”
She invited us to rewrite those narratives, to recognize impostor syndrome for what it is, and to embrace creativity and curiosity as tools for transformation. It was a reminder that the power of community comes from helping each other see what’s possible.
Innovation: Riding the AI Wave
Moderated by Giulia Gori, WLCAT Marketing Manager, our innovation panel brought together three leading voices reshaping the future of localization through AI:
- Teresa Ortiz (Centific), expert in generative AI and global delivery
- Selvaggia Cerquetti (Welocalize), pioneer in integrating LLMs at scale
- Jennifer Vela Valido, PhD (Spotify), a global reference in linguistic quality and program director of our WeShapeAI program
Together, they offered a transparent and grounded view on the opportunities and responsibilities AI introduces into our profession. They spoke of expectations, limitations, and the urgent need to stay curious and adaptable.
The takeaway? While technology shapes the tools, people ultimately shape the profession.
A Decade of Gratitude
We are still glowing from the energy of the event and from all of you.
To the participants, speakers, volunteers, former members, and current leaders: this celebration was yours. Thank you for showing up, for believing in this community, and for helping us build something that has grown stronger than we ever expected.
A special mention to all the former Chapter Managers, Maria Kania, Patricia Gómez, Patricia Paladini and Viktória Farsang, and to Anna Navarro Schlegel, W.L co-founder and current President, who joined us for this milestone. Their presence reminded us of the roots, the vision, and the collective effort that made these 10 years possible.
And to our sponsors, MANGO, Skyscanner, Centific, House of Felix, and Aguará Guazú Wine, thank you for supporting diversity, talent, and the work of communities like ours. Your trust helps move our mission forward.
What 10 Years Mean and What Comes Next
A decade is long enough to see people grow, change jobs, discover new paths, and sometimes reinvent themselves completely. Long enough to build friendships, find mentors, become mentors, and witness how each generation of localization professionals pushes the industry forward.
Ten years also bring perspective.They invite gratitude. And they remind us that while much has changed, our purpose remains steady: to create a thriving, inclusive, innovative space for all women in the localization sector.
If the first decade was about building community, the next will be about widening it, expanding opportunities, and embracing new technologies while defending the human element of our craft. We will support each other not only in growth, but also in courage.
And doing it together.
Because if these ten years have taught us anything, it’s that our strength is collective.
Gràcies per ser-hi sempre.