Board Elections 2024 Candidate
Edith Bendermacher
Director, Globalization, NetApp | United States | LinkedIn
"GALA is THE place for genuine connections to grow a business, personally or professionally. I support GALA’s mission to create an inclusive and innovative community."
In your view, what are the most important challenges and opportunities facing GALA?
With 13+ years in localization, I have seen challenges and opportunities in the globalization industry center around technology advancements, understanding and enhancing global customer experience, and achieving more with less. Along the journey, GALA has always brought clarity around all the aspects. However, the world is changing in front of our eyes, the new generation is bringing new way of engaging and communicating, new technologies such as AI are taking center stage and offer solutions that we didn’t think of yet. No one has the answers so the opportunity for GALA is to be part of the conversation, offer ideas and solutions, gather data and share, and to be there for their members.
As in the past and going into the future, GALA can offer a steady path in what globalization means in the light of the changes, how to prepare and adapt, how to expand and grow. We can collaborate with other sectors that integrate globalization into their solutions. We need to evaluate how globalization and new technologies affect the entire eco system, not just by integrating and connecting systems. The opportunities are vast, and at times scary, but our community has overcome many challenges before, and GALA will be there to guide us along.
How have you engaged with GALA as a member?
I have always appreciated the valuable content (blogs, webinars, conferences) that GALA provides. As a manager, I encourage my team members to utilize GALA’s resources for their professional and personal development. Annual conference is the best organized event allowing for our vibrant community to come together.
Besides your work with GALA, how do you engage with our industry (associations, conferences, speaking, publishing, community events, etc.)?
As part of giving back to the beloved loc industry, I now engage with organizations that focus on professional, personal and strategic growth. In addition to GALA Board, I am a PD for Global Growth & Diversity at Women in Localization. I work closely with MIIS in Monterey and regularly develop and attend programs for students to expose them to the loc industry or on how to become a leader. I am also a mentor.
What superpowers can you bring to board service? Describe previous board experience, leadership training, or strategic leadership you’ve had.
I am focused, strategic, innovative and have high attention to detail. And I love people!
Which segment(s) of GALA's membership do you represent? What perspective will you bring?
I represent the client side with deep experience of building the best globalization team. We are strategic, automated, and intentional on how to provide the best customer experience. That combined with the love for being part of a community is what I am offering to every GALA member. Let's go!