EP36: AI Ignites a Creative Content Renaissance

In this interview with Lena Petrova, Founder and CEO of Ad Astra, we learn how she has built a successful language services company focused on cultural understanding. Lena discusses curating a team around shared principles and vision, seeking people who align with the company's higher purpose. She sees AI as expanding, not replacing, human capabilities and believes creativity and emotions will endure. Ad Astra localizes languages, meeting customers and communities where they are, to drive business results while promoting cultural communication globally. Lena stresses focusing on the value you bring, saying if you believe in the change you are creating, money will follow. Her words inspire founders and leaders seeking to build purpose-driven, sustainable companies. Join us for this episode, AI Ignites a Creative Content Renaissance.   About Deborah's guest in her own words: My role as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra, a comprehensive communication company, was born from my passion for promoting cultural understanding.   I began my career providing spoken language interpretation and instruction services to high-level diplomats, schools, the Zenit soccer team, media organizations, and others in Russia. I served in various language services management and business development roles when I moved to the United States. My intimate experience in all aspects of the industry inspired me to create Ad Astra. I wanted to ensure equal access to information for all.  Language access facilitates communication among different people in all activities of their lives. Each day, I work harder to ensure Ad Astra’s services reflect the very best offerings and current industry standards to serve the needs of organizations of all kinds—e.g., businesses, medical facilities, government agencies, educational institutions—and individuals.  I have built Ad Astra with a diverse team of professionals who, like me, also profoundly care about people and communities across the nation and the globe and find ultimate satisfaction in creating stronger connections among disparate communities. My employees and I are deeply involved in many pro bono initiatives that provide communication services and language access to nonprofits and the community.  And I always seek to learn through professional development and travel. In my free time, you can find me exploring locales across the globe, immersing myself in new cultures and languages, and making friends.  About Ad Astra: Ad Astra is a woman-owned business established in 2010. We have extensive, proven experience providing comprehensive communication and language access services in more than 200+ languages as well Deaf/ HOH services to industries that include healthcare/medical, government, marketing, judicial/legal, education, consumer electronics, environmental, human resources, finance, pharmaceutical, technology, and many others.  Ad Astra’s mission is to provide culturally competent and linguistically appropriate services in diverse environments, and we are sensitive to the broad range of cultural and linguistic issues connected to the cross-cultural communication services field. We provide communication with a human touch in the age of AI. Our company’s philosophy is focused on cultural awareness and sensitivity to transfer communication between parties from diverse cultures and abilities.