Dolgormaa Hersom, President & CEO
Email: dhersom@houseoflanguages.com

Dolgormaa oversees overall operations at House of Languages. Originally from Mongolia, she is a Mongolian and Russian interpreter and translator. She is certified by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters as a Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI-Russian) and is a member of the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT). She is also a certified community and medical interpreter trainer through Cross Cultural Communications. In addition, Dolgormaa was qualified by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Defense Language Institute as an Oral Proficiency Interview Tester in Mongolian.

Dolgormaa has worked in Maine’s language services field for more than 20 years. She helped establish the Maine interpreter qualification Standards and developed interpreter and medical interpreter training programs at United Way of Greater Portland and Southern Maine Community College. As a consultant to the Maine Judicial Branch, she assisted in administering court interpreter certification exams and qualifying court interpreters across the state.

“Every client is important and deserves to be treated with utmost respect, regardless of the size of the job.”

Laila Sousa Ferreira, Language Services Manager
Email: laila@houseoflanguages.com 

Laila was born in the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil, into a family with Italian, Portuguese, and Native Brazilian roots. Her passion for languages and cultures started early, learning Italian from her Nonna while making fresh pasta and Easter bread.

Laila holds a B.A. in International Relations and a master’s in Political Science. She has worked in several private organizations and NGOs in Brazil, Belgium, Portugal, and the U.S., specializing in project management and audio/video localization for multilingual content. She currently lives in Maine, where she enjoys her pottery studio, exploring Acadia National Park, and spending time by the ocean.

“Being someone’s voice is a privilege. We as people have the need for connection and it is hard to connect when you are unable to communicate. When we help our clients to communicate, we create relationships that are essential to their lives.”

Karolina Swasey, Translation Project Manager
Email: karolina@houseoflanguages.com

A fresh transplant to Portland by way of Poland, Germany and New York, Karolina has always felt at home in the in-between of languages and cultures. Her love for languages is rooted in her bilingual upbringing, which fostered her desire to learn more of them and ultimately led to a career in the localization industry, in which she worked for nearly 10 years as both a Manager and Linguist.

Karolina holds a B.A. and M.A. in Cultural History and Theory from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany. Outside of the office, Karolina is working on her passion project of raising her daughter (bilingually, of course). She enjoys exploring Portland by bike and writing and illustrating children’s poems.

“I believe that meaningful work starts with a purpose and ours goes beyond the office – it is rooted in community. Every project is a chance to make a difference, fuel hope and make sure that language is never a barrier to access or opportunity.”

Otis Wortley, Interpreter Services Coordinator
Email: otis@houseoflanguages.com

Otis is a Maine native whose connection to Spanish and Latin American culture has shaped his education, his travels, and now his work at House of Languages. He is passionate about the role language plays in connecting people, and about making sure that connection is never out of reach.

He holds a B.A. in International Studies and Latino/a Studies from Kenyon College and an M.A. in Spanish from Middlebury College. He also earned a Certificate of Spanish Community Interpreting from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS), and served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at Universidad Surcolombiana in Colombia. Outside of work, Otis enjoys the outdoors, art, and Maine winters.

“Language access isn’t just about words, it’s about dignity. Everyone deserves to be understood, and to understand, in the moments that matter most.”

Isabella Clouse, Marketing & Communications Manager
Email: isabella@houseoflanguages.com

Isabella leads the storytelling and outreach efforts at House of Languages. She ensures that everything the organization shares reflects its mission and values, bringing a creative and thoughtful approach to communication. Her work supports both public visibility and internal connection, helping build strong relationships with the communities we serve.

She holds a B.S. in Mass Communications with minors in Spanish and Business. Originally from Virginia and proud of her Colombian heritage, Isabella is new to Maine and enjoys reading and spending time outdoors.

“I am always looking for meaningful ways to connect with our local community. It’s a privilege to be part of a team so deeply committed to removing language barriers and ensuring every voice is heard.”

Rick Hersom, Business Manager
Email: rick@houseoflanguages.com

Rick works behind the scenes to keep House of Languages running smoothly. He manages the company’s finances, including maintaining contracts, timely invoicing, and swift resolution of any issues. Rick graduated from University of Maine in Farmington, with concentrations in English and philosophy. It was at UMF that Rick met his wife, Dolgormaa, with whom he operates House of Languages.

Aside from a couple of years in Alaska, Rick is a lifelong Mainer. He finds it rewarding to be part of a company that provides such a valuable service for the community, such has helping people to access healthcare, education, and other vital services.

In his spare time, Rick enjoys car shows and motorsports, listening to obscure music, playing nerdy games with friends, and taking long quiet walks in the woods.

“At House of Languages, we understand the significance of our services for our customers, so we strive to provide a seamless experience.”