Meet the Team
Sarah Arriaza
Sarah Arriaza is the Director of the Enterprise Translations Office (ETO), where she previously led the Spanish translation team since 2024. She holds a master’s degree in Spanish Education and brings a strong background in education, linguistics, and translation, including work in higher education settings. Sarah designed and implemented ETO’s translation management system using Microsoft tools such as Power Automate, helping streamline operations from the ground up as a founding team member. In addition to her professional work, Sarah has presented at regional and national conferences and is the published author of a Spanish-language novella and short story. She is committed to expanding ETO’s impact in the years ahead while making translation a more seamless part of enterprise workflows.
Karine Lao Her
Karine Lao Her holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Social Work, leveraging her extensive expertise in Hmong and French languages across various professional settings. With years of experience in community engagement and interpreting, she has significantly contributed to ensuring equitable access to services for diverse communities in Minnesota. Her extensive background in translating, interpreting, and community outreach highlights her commitment to promoting racial inclusivity and equitable service delivery for all. Karine’s proficiency in multiple languages and her dedication to high-quality translation make her a valuable asset to the Enterprise Translations Office (ETO).
Lasia Xiong
Lasia Xiong, a dedicated community leader well-regarded for her tireless efforts in advocating for the Hmong community, has been a pivotal figure in promoting cultural preservation and community development. Lasia's extensive experience as a Hmong interpreter and translator has been invaluable in bridging communication gaps between Hmong-speaking individuals and service providers. Her linguistic skills have ensured that critical information and resources are accessible to all members of the community, particularly those who are not fluent in English. In addition to her advocacy work, Lasia is known for her role in organizing cultural events that celebrate Hmong heritage, fostering a sense of pride and unity among the younger generations.
Paulette Molina-Piedra
Paulette Molina-Piedra holds an International Interpreter/Translator Certificate, is passionate about language, and is committed to fostering understanding across cultures. As a native Spanish speaker, she deeply appreciates linguistic nuances in her work. With years of experience in community engagement, Paulette has dedicated herself to creating bridges that close language barriers. Her background includes contributions to the healthcare field, having worked with institutions such as the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Paulette's work has honed her ability to connect with diverse populations, ensuring everyone has a voice and is heard.
Daha Gobdoon
Daha Gobdoon brings over two decades of experience in public sector operations, program management, international development, and community engagement to the Enterprise Translations Office (ETO). As Somali Operations Lead, he leads Somali language operations, quality assurance, workflow management, terminology standardization, and process improvement across state government. Daha brings leadership experience from higher education and international humanitarian programs, including work with the University of Minnesota, Save the Children Norway, and the United Nations. He holds a Master of Education degree, a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and is the author of From Idea to Impact: a Project Life Cycle for Humanitarian and dEvelopment Practitioners. Daha's diverse skills and experiences make him an asset to our team, contributing to the success and growth of our language operations.
Abas Moalin
Abas Moalin is an accomplished language services professional with 17 years of experience in interpretation and translation, with particular expertise in supporting refugee and immigrant communities. He is fluent in Somali, Arabic, and English, with conversational proficiency in Swahili. Abas holds professional credentials and specialized training in medical and community interpretation, including a Somali Language E-LPT Certificate. His areas of expertise include medical and community interpretation, document translation, linguistic quality assurance, cross-cultural communication, and community engagement. Throughout his career, Abas has demonstrated a strong commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, cultural competency, professional ethics, and high-quality language services. His extensive experience working across diverse cultural and organizational environments enables him to effectively bridge language and communication gaps while ensuring that information is conveyed clearly, accurately, and in a culturall y appropriate manner. Abas's proficiency in multiple languages, extensive experience in interpretation and translation, and dedication to providing accurate and high-quality language services make hium a valuable asset to the Enterprise Translations Office (ETO).