Project Spotlight
This section of our website is dedicated to showcasing a few of the most impactful and significant assignments undertaken by Sonia Atkins. Through her expert interpretation services, Sonia has facilitated essential communication for high-profile cases, including medical, legal, and humanitarian efforts. This section highlights her role in making a difference in people's lives, demonstrating the power and importance of professional interpreting in critical situations.
At Atkins Interpreting LLC, we're proud of the meaningful impact our services bring, especially highlighted by Sonia Atkins' involvement in Baby Noor's story. Noor, a child from Iraq with a life-threatening condition, was brought to the United States for critical surgery at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). Sonia played a pivotal role as the interpreter for Noor's family, ensuring clear communication between the medical team and Noor's parents, thus facilitating a better understanding and comfort throughout the treatment process.
Sonia's expertise and empathy were crucial in navigating the complex medical and emotional challenges faced by Noor's family. Her work not only exemplified the importance of professional interpretation in healthcare but also the profound difference it can make in people's lives. Through Sonia's dedication, we at Atkins Interpreting LLC continue to strive for excellence, making meaningful connections and supporting healing through effective communication.
Baby Noor
Featured on CNN, CBS, Fox News
Sonia Atkins played a pivotal role as an interpreter at the prestigious Global Peace Convention 2012 held at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia. This illustrious event brought together a distinguished assembly, including the President and First Lady of Uruguay, former Presidents from the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and other nations, as well as Dr. Robert Schuller, highlighting the global commitment to peace. Sonia had the distinguished honor of interpreting for Dr. Haj said Aqil Siradj during his televised speech, showcasing her invaluable contribution to the dialogue for peace.
The Opening Banquet of the Global Peace Convention was a testament to the collective endeavor and dedication towards fostering global peace and harmony. Notable attendees included the daughter of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., alongside hosts Rev. Dr. Paul Murray and Georgia State Senator Emanuel Jones, who co-chaired the convention. Senator Jones echoed the enduring message of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., advocating for "Let freedom ring!" as a clarion call to action for achieving global peace and social harmony.
A highlight of the event was Rev. Bernice King's compelling speech, addressing the urgent need to confront "Poverty, racism, and militarism" as the modern-day challenges to peace. She called for a "Great awakening" aimed at revitalizing ethical and nourishing relationships, emphasizing the collective responsibility to nurture a world of peace and ethical stewardship.
Sonia's engagement with several former Latin American presidents further underscored the significance of her role in facilitating meaningful dialogue across cultural and linguistic divides, underscoring her critical contribution to this global endeavor for peace.
Global Peace Convention
Building Peace: Shared Values, Universal Principles
Sonia's international interpreting expertise extends to her significant contributions at ICANN meetings held in China and Durban, South Africa. ICANN, or the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is a nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the internet, ensuring the network's stable and secure operation.
During these engagements, Sonia provided crucial linguistic support in discussions that involved complex technical jargon and multicultural communication. Her role was instrumental in facilitating effective dialogue among international stakeholders, addressing critical issues surrounding internet governance and security.
In China, her focus was on enhancing understanding between ICANN's policy developers and local stakeholders, while in Durban, she tackled global internet policy challenges. These meetings not only demonstrated her adept skill in high-level interpreting but also her ability to navigate the nuances of technical discussions in a global context.
ICANN
Global Interpreting Experience: ICANN Engagements
Sonia had the prestigious opportunity to serve as an interpreter at events for the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), an initiative born from a partnership between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Bill Gates. GLIDE focuses on eliminating infectious diseases globally, with a specific emphasis on eradicating polio.
Her role involved interpreting at the "Reaching the Last Mile Forum," a critical platform where global health leaders gather to discuss strategies and policies to combat infectious diseases. The forum, held in Abu Dhabi, was instrumental in advancing the discussion on disease elimination strategies and marking the formal launch of GLIDE in 2019.
Sonia's expertise in interpreting complex medical and policy discussions was vital in facilitating effective communication among diverse international participants, contributing to the global fight against infectious diseases.
GLIDE
Key Role: GLIDE Forum Events for
President of UAE and Bill Gates
Sonia Atkins, a highly trained 911 interpreter, specializes in over-the-phone interpretation (OPI) for emergency calls, where rapid and effective communication is crucial. Her role mirrors that of a standard 911 call handler, with the additional responsibility of bridging communication gaps by interpreting non-English languages during emergencies. Sonia's expertise enables her to swiftly connect to emergency calls, gather vital information from callers, and facilitate immediate responses. Her proficiency is essential, as clarity and speed are paramount during emergencies. She manages a wide range of situations, including medical emergencies, accidents, and urgent law enforcement incidents, ensuring that every call is handled with precision and care.
Her dedication to serving as a 911 interpreter goes beyond a job—it's a critical service that impacts lives by ensuring clear communication in crises. She offers crucial language support for patients in acute health crises, such as those involved in accidents or needing immediate attention in hospitals across the USA, UK, and Canada. Sonia's efforts also extend to broader emergency scenarios, including collaborations with the US Coast Guard to locate lost boats and support for public safety missions like reuniting families and aiding rescue operations. Her experiences across diverse emergencies underscore her commitment to using her linguistic skills to enhance safety, facilitate critical operations, and improve outcomes in emergency and critical care environments. She is dedicated to ensuring language barriers never hinder emergency response, making a significant difference in times of crisis.
911 Call Center
Critical Emergency Interpreter: Sonia's Lifesaving Role
She had the privilege of interpreting for Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, during a significant live USEP Zoom conference attended by numerous international stakeholders and foreign officials. Brad Smith, a prominent figure in global technology and legal advocacy, played a pivotal role in the discussions concerning U.S. elections, providing insights and fostering international understanding on critical issues. Her interpretation facilitated an engaging dialogue, ensuring that Mr. Smith's influential messages were accurately conveyed to a diverse, multilingual audience.
Brad Smith
President & Vice Chair of Microsoft
She had the honor of providing interpretation services at Georgia Tech’s Create-X in the Technology Square Research Building. Her role involved interpreting for various delegates and Dr. Siva Kumar, a respected professor at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Her skilled interpretation bridged communication gaps, enabling productive discussions among participants from different linguistic backgrounds.
Interpreting at Create-X, Georgia Tech
Notable Engagement: Andreessen Horowitz & Kobold Metals
In a landmark interpreting role, Sonia facilitated a major investment deal between Andreessen Horowitz and Kobold Metals, led by Kobold's CEO Kurt House, alongside David Zhen Yin, Jef Caers, and Connie Chan from Andreessen Horowitz.
Andreessen Horowitz, a premier venture firm, invests across various tech sectors and supports its portfolio with a vast expert network. Kurt House is pioneering advancements in mining technology. David Zhen Yin, a lead scientist at Stanford, focuses on sustainable mineral explorations. Jef Caers contributes his expertise on resource forecasting and decision-making under uncertainty. Connie Chan, a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, drives consumer tech investments with a focus on innovative business models.
Sonia's adept interpretation of technical and financial dialogues was crucial in bridging communication between these diverse stakeholders, ensuring the deal's success and demonstrating her pivotal role in high-stakes negotiations.