DE LA MORA Training

Agenda

12:15 pm
Attendee Check-In

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Opening Session: Welcome and What's Ahead

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Keynote Address

Mind, Skill, and Resilience in the Age of AI: Thriving as an Interpreter
Presenter: Eliane Sfeir-Markus

This session examines the vital connection between mental health and professional performance in the interpreting field. Participants will reflect on the unique pressures interpreters face, explore evidence-based strategies for building resilience and perseverance, and discuss how ongoing training strengthens both professional excellence and personal well-being. The conversation will also address the growing presence of artificial intelligence in our field—how it challenges us, how it can support us, and why human resilience and skill remain irreplaceable. Through practical tools and shared insights, attendees will leave empowered to care for both their craft and themselves—ensuring longevity and success in their careers, with the confidence that the future of our profession holds promise and will continue to get better. Interpreters are not just surviving change—they are actively shaping a brighter tomorrow.

About the Speaker:
Eliane Sfeir-Markus, CHI, is an experienced interpreter, trainer, and industry leader fluent in Arabic, English, and French. She is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter and court-certified interpreter in Pennsylvania and Delaware. As an Interpreter Expert), Eliane advises on industry standards, develops training materials, and provides guidance on interpreting ethics and best practices.

Additionally, as an Adjunct Professor at Widener University Delaware Law School, Eliane teaches court and medical interpreting and foundational interpreting skills.

Eliane is also a trainer with De La Mora Institute, where she co-designed and teaches a "Train the Trainer" course. She offers training in medical and court interpreting and webinars on professional development topics like cultural intelligence.

She is a certified John Maxwell Leadership coach and speaker.

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Session 1

Language Access in 2025: Where Are We Now?
Presenter: Dr. Bill Rivers

In a rapidly shifting social, political, and technological landscape, what does language access in the United States look like today? This timely session, led by Dr. Bill Rivers, will explore the current state of language access in 2025, examining how two powerful forces—the Trump Administration’s policies and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence—have shaped, disrupted, or perhaps left untouched the ability of millions of Americans to access essential services in their language.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Bill Rivers is Principal, WP Rivers & Associates, and a national leader in language access and language advocacy. He chairs the National Language Access Coalition, the SAFE-AI Task Force, and co-chairs the National English Learner Roundtable. Dr. Rivers has been an interpreter and translator (English<>Russian), a university teacher and leader, and has served as a contractor in the Intelligence Community before becoming a lobbyist and consultant. He has a distinguished research career, with publications in second and third language acquisition, proficiency assessment, program evaluation, and language policy development and advocacy. Dr. Rivers earned the Ph.D. in Russian from Bryn Mawr College, an M.A. in Russian Linguistics from the University of Maryland, and a BA in Russian and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland. He speaks French and Russian at the C1 level, Spanish and Irish at the B2 level, and German at the B1 level.

3:15 pm - 3:30 pm 
Break

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Session 2

Racing Against the Clock: Mastering Fast Speech in Court Interpretation
Presenter: James Plunkett

In this session, we will take an in-depth look at the challenges of interpreting fast speech simultaneously in court settings—a skill that pushes even experienced interpreters to their limits. Together, we will analyze the unique characteristics of courtroom discourse, focusing on proceedings where clarity and precision are critical, such as opening statements, jury instructions, and closing arguments.

Participants will not only observe but also actively practice interpreting speech delivered at speeds exceeding 180 words per minute. Through guided exercises, we will explore proven strategies and practical techniques to maintain accuracy, manage cognitive load, and minimize the need to interrupt speakers—even when testimony or arguments are delivered at breakneck speed.

By the end of the session, attendees will leave with a sharper awareness of the demands of high-speed simultaneous interpretation and a toolkit of strategies to help them perform confidently in the most high-pressure courtroom moments.

About the Speaker:
James Plunkett is a nationally-known interpreter instructor. He also trains new judges and court staff on how to work with court interpreters. He is certified by the AOUSC as a Spanish and English court interpreter. He has worked as a court interpreter for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Florida and as the Coordinator of Interpreting Services and Language Access Program for the District of Columbia Courts. He speaks and trains at state court interpreter programs nationwide and through online teaching platforms. He holds a BA degree in General Social Studies from Providence College.  He was raised in Lima, Peru. He also communicates in Portuguese, some French and basic American Sign Language.

4:45 pm - 6:00 pm

Panel Discussion

Interpreting at a Crossroads: Ethics, Training, and the Impact of AI
Panel Host: Maria Ceballos Wallis, Host of Subject to Interpretation Podcast

In this dynamic panel discussion, Maria Ceballos Wallis, host of Subject to Interpretation podcast, brings together a diverse group of seasoned professionals to address some of the most pressing issues facing interpreters today. The conversation will explore the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in language services, the continued importance of structured interpreter training, and the critical question of where the profession is headed in the years to come.

Panelists: Claudia Eslava, Agustin de la Mora, James Plunkett, Eliane Sfeir-Markus, Dr. Bill Rivers

Together, the panel will tackle big questions: How should interpreters respond to the rise of AI? What ethical guardrails are needed to protect accuracy and confidentiality? How can ongoing training raise professional standards and ensure access to justice? And most importantly—where do we, as a profession, go from here?

This interactive session will provide attendees with a chance to hear multiple perspectives, reflect on challenges and opportunities, and walk away with a clearer vision of how interpreters can shape their future while staying true to their ethical foundations.

7:00 pm
Festive Holiday Dinner