YVONNE ARAIZA, CHITM, PRESIDENT, 2025-2026 TERM

Yvonne Araiza was born and raised in Mexico and attended Universidad Tecnológica del Norte de Guanajuato where she received an Associate of Arts degree in Commercialization. After relocating to the Twin Cities in 1998, she worked in different positions in Sales and Customer Service. In 2009 she switched career and enrolled in the Certificate Program in Translation and Interpreting at the University of Minnesota. In 2014 she became a Certified Healthcare Interpreter. Her professional experience has been as an in-house interpreter and as a freelancer.  She currently works at United Healthcare as an interpreter. One of her biggest interests is public policy and officially establishing the minimal requirements for spoken language Interpreters in the medical setting. Yvonne has been a member of UMTIA since 2010 and she frequently volunteers at UMTIA’s events. She has been part on the Board of Directors of ISG (2016-2017) and she has been involved in the drafting of the bill for spoken language Interpreters in the medical settings.

MAURICIO MONTES DE OCA, CHITM, VICE PRESIDENT, 2025-2026 TERM

Mauricio is from Mexico City and has been an interpreter for seventeen years.  He joined the medical interpreters team at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview 18 years ago.  Mauricio has been involved with UMTIA for over a decade and has volunteered for multiple organizations to support the interpreting community.  Mauricio also provides educational training sessions to hospital and clinic staff to help providers understand the role of the interpreter and to share ideas for how to better serve patients who require spoken or sign language interpreters. Mauricio is passionate about the development of the profession and has participated continuously in helping it grow.  He is nationally certified through CCHI and has participated with different organizations that focus on interpreter development.  He has been involved in the development of and the negotiations for promoting an Interpreter Bill that would meet patients’ and interpreters’ needs.

RICHARD LAURION, TREASURER, 2025-2026 TERM

Richard Laurion has a B.A. in Organizational Management, an M.A. in Organizational Leadership and a graduate certificate in Strategic Management and is certified from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf since 1987.  He has 40 years of leadership experience developing and managing programs and services in both the public and private sectors.  He has been a mentor and teacher of interpreters since 1988.  Richard has distinguished his leadership in the field having served on boards of directors for the local and national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT).  He has also served on boards for the Commission Serving Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans, the Northern Sign Theater, Grant Professionals Association – Northstar Chapter and ThinkSelf, Inc. 

PERLA MORLEY, SECRETARY, 2025-2026 TERM

Perla Morley was born and raised in Guerrero, Mexico. She earned a BA in Translation from the Instituto Superior de Intérpretes y Traductores in Mexico City before moving to Minnesota in 1997. Perla worked as a translator, editor, proofreader, and project coordinator for TripleInk for several years, specializing in marketing, advertising, and medical equipment patient education materials. In 2004 she switched careers and became a medical interpreter and translator for Children’s Minnesota. Perla continues to work as a medical interpreter and translator, but she also does freelance work for churches and other religious institutions. Most recently, she has been exploring creative writing and literary translation.

MURPHY STEPHENS, MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR, 2025-2026 TERM

Murphy Stephens was born and raised in Kentucky and relocated to Minneapolis in 2024. Murphy joined LanguageLine Solutions in 2022 and holds a master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Xavier University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from the University of Louisville. Specializing in the healthcare sector, Murphy is passionate about eliminating language access barriers to ensure equitable care for all. Murphy consults with each on best practices across the industry and assists in building solutions that will allow staff to maximize workflow and effectively communicate with their patients. Murphy views UMTIA as an invaluable organization that provides interpreters and translators with opportunities to learn, engage, and network across diverse fields, fostering the growth and recognition of this vital profession.

HILDA SANCHEZ-HERRERA, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, 2025-2026 TERM

Hilda Sanchez-Herrera, CHI™ began her interpreting career in 2008 and received CCHI certification in 2011.  Hilda has worked as a Community Interpreter for 11 years and Medical Interpreter for 8 years.  She currently works as a Community Health Worker. As a Public Health student, the COVID-19 pandemic allowed her to see the need for advocacy in many areas, particularly in emergency and disaster management.  She recognized both roles complement each other.  In an effort to maintain professional boundaries, she has worked to better service the Limited English population with language access and preventative needs. Her passion for advocating for the profession and bringing awareness to overlooked needs opened many doors. Opportunities to mentor medical students evolved into the integration of Pilar 1 curriculum development. Encouraging professional development for those who are bilingual led to language assessments and hospital policies for bilingual staff.  Presented to Diabetes Educators and Family Medicine in hopes of better understanding the Hispanic/Latino communities.

Hilda is currently preparing for certification in court interpreting and for the ATA exam.  She holds an Associates of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and a Certificate in Community Health Worker and will graduate with a Bachelors in Public Health in 2025.  Her inspiring quote is from Mother Teresa: “Not everyone can do great things, but everyone can do small things with great love.”

LUCÍA ABOLAFIA COBO, ADMINISTRATIVE & MEDIA ASSISTANT 

Lucía is from Spain and has always been interested in languages and cultures. Lucía has a B.A. in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Granada, Spain, and a Master in Immigration Law from the same university. She has been actively working as a translator and an interpreter for almost 20 years, in the medical, legal, and educational fields. She has also taught Translation I and II at Century College in MN. Lucía is a former board member of UMTIA and she is returning to the organization as Administrative and Media Assistant in 2025. Lucía views UMTIA as an essential organization for all interpreters and translators that helps them with the skills and values needed in their fields. 

For a list of previous board members, see our Board Member History.