The Victorian Interpreting and Translation Services (VITS) LanguageLoop Board welcomes the Honourable Jenny Mikakos as its new Chair, continuing its commitment to Victorians having access to high-quality language services and information.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt today announced Ms Mikakos as the new Chair, who will join the VITS LanguageLoop Board on 31 December 2024 following an open and competitive recruitment process.
The Board Chair is responsible for governing the organisation, enhancing engagement and providing strategic advice and financial direction.
Ms Mikakos currently sits on the board of Optometry Australia and Early Childhood Management Services, bringing a wealth of knowledge from her experiences in strategic governance, community services, public administration and law.
She will continue the leadership of outgoing Chair Professor Kathy Laster AM, who was appointed in 2020 and guided the Board through a period of significant growth and transformation.
The Board comprises of experts from diverse fields such as governance, multicultural engagement, and customer experience, ensuring robust leadership to guide the organisation's work and mission.
VITS LanguageLoop has more than 3,600 professional interpreters who provide important translating services in over 190 languages, including First Peoples languages.
In 2023-24 VITS LanguageLoop assisted more than 560,000 people across Victoria through their work interpreting on-site, by telephone or via video conference, as well as translating nearly five million words.
As stated by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt
"I would like to congratulate Ms Mikakos on her appointment as Chair of the VITS LanguageLoop Board - her extensive experience in the public, community and private sectors will be invaluable to the work to ensure Victorians have access to essential language services."
"I would like to sincerely thank the outgoing Board Chair of VITS LanguageLoop Professor Kathy Laster AM, for her significant contributions and leadership of the organisation, particularly through the pandemic and other statewide emergencies."
As stated by LanguageLoop Board Chair Jenny Mikakos
"Language is fundamental to connection and inclusion. I am proud to support VITS LanguageLoop in its mission to empower communities through accessible and professional interpreting and translation services."
