Leia Sparks, MS, NIC Master, QMHI, BEI Advanced

Leia Sparks (she, her, hers) is the Director of Interpreter Professional Development at Professional Interpreting Enterprise (PIE), with more than 25 years of experience in a wide array of interpreting and supervising settings. Leia holds NIC Master, BEI Master, and Qualified Mental Health Interpreting, with the state of Alabama as well as a master’s degree from WMC in Deaf Education.

Leia had a total of seven years combined teaching experience in Deaf Education. This took Leia from Iowa to New Mexico, Michigan and finally to Milwaukee, WI where she lives with her wife of 20 years and their fur babies.

She is an adjunct professor in the Interpreter Training Program on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, freelance interprets, works in VRS and post-secondary settings. Leia has cruise, platform, theatre, and stage/music interpreting experience that totals 20 years. She held the position of Secretary with Wisconsin Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (WisRID) and was newly appointed Vice President of WisRID. Leia is a mentor to up-and-coming interpreters. Leia received the Wisconsin Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Distinguished Service Award for 2017. Leia has developed and provided workshops and mentoring for over 19 years.