Lola Bendana, Director of Multi-Languages, is a recognized leader in the translation and interpreting industry with over 30 years of experience. She holds a degree in International Relations with a specialization in Latin American Studies and is trained in English-Spanish translation and interpreting.

Lola began her career in Costa Rica, working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a cultural and foreign affairs facilitator, and as Head of International Relations at the Nicaraguan Committee for Refugees. After moving to Canada, she contributed as a freelancer for Global Affairs Canada, providing pre-departure and intercultural effectiveness courses on Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Lola is a published author of books and articles on translation and interpreting, and was awarded the AILIA National Award for Outstanding Contribution to the translation sector in 2007. Her work continues to shape the language industry and support Canadian organizations in delivering high-quality multilingual services.

Throughout her career, Lola has been at the forefront of advancing translation and interpreting standards and best practices in Canada and internationally. She has served on multiple boards and committees, including:

• Healthcare Interpretation Network (HIN) – Board Member, Terminology Committee Chair, Policy Committee Chair

• International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) – Executive Board Member (2009–2014), President (last 4 years), Canada’s Representative and representative to FIT North America

• Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) –  selected as a voting member of the technical Committee for Canadian National Translation Service Standards CAN CGSB 131.10 , including its creation (2008), reaffirmation (2017), and the current Chair of the ongoing revision

• Language Industry Association of Canada (AILIA) – President, Vice-President, Translation Committee Chair, Interpreting Committee Member

• International Network on Terminology (TermNet) – Board Member (2013–2014)

• Critical Link – Canada Standards of Practice and Training Committee
• Language Interpretation Training Curriculum Advisory Committee, led by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship (MCI) in collaboration with College Connect.
• Canadian Council on Community Interpreting
• Chaired the Terminology Committee and the Policy Committee, where she led the project to create the National Standards of Canada for Community Interpreting (NSGCIS) 

Lola published a book in collaboration with Dr. Alan Melby, “Almost Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Translation” and a book in collaboration with Professor Helen Campbell, “How to get it right when contracting Conference Interpreting services”.

Presently (2026) Lola Bendana:

• Is a member of the Board of Directors and Past-President of the Canadian Language Industry Association of Canada  CLIA (Former AILIA), where she serves as Chair of the CLIA Advisory Board and member of the Communications Committee.
• Has been a member of the Canadian Advisory Committee to ISO TC37 SC 5 since 2007, where she participates as an expert delegate to create international standards for translation and interpreting.
• Is a member of the Board of Directors and Past-President of the Ontario Council on Community Interpreting (OCCI).
• Is an Advisor to the Language Access Coalition of Canada 

• Has been an expert member of the Canadian General Standards Board – CGSB 131.10 Technical Committee since 2008 when the first Canadian Translation Standard was created and she continues to be part of the working group that works on the revision of the Standard, since 2024 she sits as Acting Chair for the group.
• Is a member of the ASTM F43 Committee on Language Services 
• Lola has a passion for psychology, health and personal empowerment, completed the Robert Holden Coaching Success Certification, the Neuro Strategies Core and Applied Certification Training, is a Trainer with Robbins Research International and Member of the Board of Directors of the Toronto Power Group. Lola facilitates workshops about Building Strong Teams, Time Mastery, Compassion Fatigue and Self Care among other topics. Lola is a published author of the Chicken Soup for The Soul: “Time to Thrive.”