INTERVIEW WITH MARIAN GREENFIELD, CANDIDATE FOR ATA TREASURER
The ATA conference is heading our way faster than the leaves can fall, and in preparation for the biggest T&I event for industry professionals, the Gotham Translator sat down with Marian Greenfield, a long-standing member of the New York Circle of Translators, who is running this year for the position of ATA treasurer, against incumbent Robin Bonthrone. Marian is also currently the treasurer of AFTI (the American Foundation for Translation and Interpretation).
Q: Marian, thank you for taking the time to talk to us today about your vision and your goals for the future of ATA. I’ll just jump into the questions our readers would like to learn more about. You have been a member of the ATA since 1980. What made you join the Association and why have you stayed a member over all these years?
The answer to both questions is that I believe it is important for those of us in the translation and interpreting industry to join, take advantage of the benefits of, and support the primary professional organization for translators and interpreters in the U.S. ATA provides excellent educational opportunities, along with so many opportunities to network with colleagues, potential clients, and vendors of both the tools of our industry and translation/interpreting services.
Q: Why would you like to be the ATA treasurer?
I have been watching with concern the erosion of both ATA membership and ATA’s finances over the last several years. Spending has not always been wise or in the best interest of the organization. The less than successful yet very expensive launch of the new AMS (Association Management System) is a prime example. I have a lot of experience in budgeting and cost control and would like to use that experience to help ATA get back on track.
Q: What would you like to improve as treasurer?
I think we need to get back to focusing on the value offered by ATA membership. In addition, we need to find an alternative to raising membership fees and the price of the Annual Conference. In the past, we did a better job of selling Conference sponsorships. Perhaps we need to look at new potential sponsors and think hard about what additional benefits we can offer our sponsors. I think we also have to take a hard look at our officer and staff travel policies to see if we can find some savings there.
Q: In the ATA webinar featuring you as a candidate for the treasurer’s position, you mentioned you are concerned about ATA’s current state with the drastically reduced membership and deteriorating finances. Do you have any measures in mind to remedy the situation, and what would they be?
In addition to the ideas for improvement I have already mentioned, I have been working to make AFTI’s investments more productive. I think the same needs to be done for ATA. I would like to explore ways to maximize our returns in safe investments while keeping sufficient cash on hand.
Q: You have had a very successful career as a translator, as a mentor, and as an ATA and NYCT leader. What would you like to be remembered by? What is your proudest legacy?
I think my greatest achievements in terms of ATA are launching the Professional Development program, instituting mini-conferences, one-day specialty seminars, and webinars and mentoring many up-and-coming translators. I am also very proud of the students I have taught about financial translation and how to build their freelance business [as an adjunct professor at New York University, the University of Puerto Rico, and the University of Chicago], as well as my career both in-house at JP Morgan and as a freelancer.
Marian Greenfield’s Bio:
Marian S. Greenfield, owner of msgreenfield Translations, has worked in the translation industry for forty five years. Marian was Manager of Translation Services at JP Morgan, translated in New York’s Financial District for 20 years, and is a translation industry consultant and freelance Spanish, Portuguese and French into English financial translator.
In addition to offering presentations and workshops throughout Latin America, Europe and the U.S., Marian was an Adjunct Instructor of Translation at The University of Chicago, New York University, and in the Master’s in Translation Program at the University of Puerto Rico.
She is a former Board Member and Past President of the American Translators Association and is also a former Treasurer and Past President of the New York Circle of Translators. Marian has also chaired numerous ATA Committees and implemented ATA’s Professional Development program. She is the former President of AFTI (the American Foundation for Translation and Interpretation – ATA’s foundation arm) and is currently its Treasurer.