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Board of Directors

Dawn Flanigan headshot

Co-Director: Dawn Flanigan

Dawn Flanigan is the CEO and President of Global Interpreting Services, LLC, Global A.I. Solutions, LLC and Co-Director of Global Interpreting Cares, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization). She is a nationally Certified Sign Language Interpreter earning her CI (Certificate of Interpreting), CT (Certificate of Transliterating), NIC (National Interpreting Certificate) and OTC (Oral Transliterating Certificate). Not only is Dawn well versed in the Deaf Community with more than 30 years of practical experience, she is also well versed in working with hard of hearing individuals, being the only person in Michigan with an OTC, which is a specialty certificate for interpreters who work with hard of hearing people.

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Global Interpreting Services was founded in 1996 by Dawn. Global offers sign and foreign language interpreters. It is a national organization headquartered in Clinton Township, Michigan. Global offers interpreters in person, on video or by phone as well as translation services. Since Dawn supervises and mentors not only sign language interpreters but also spoken language interpreters, she became a Bridging the Gap Trainer (Bridging the Gap is a world‑renowned medical interpreter training program; Dawn is one of only two sign language interpreters to become a trainer in the world). She is a certified TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) instructor. She lectures on effective communication and law compliance and has done so for over 25 years.

Dawn is the creator of a unique eLearning program to train police officers on effective communication and compliance. Global Interpreting Cares’ mission is to educate businesses and communities about the importance of effective communication and assist those stakeholders that the Global group of companies serves. Some of the boards Dawn has been honored to be a part of include the Disability Network of Oakland and Macomb; Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Board (State of Michigan); the State of Michigan Referent Group for Educational Interpreters; the State of Michigan Office of Disability Concerns Board of Assistive Technology; the Michigan Chapter of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association; and the Michigan Coalition for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind People.

Dano Milunovich headshot

Co-Director: Dano Milunovich

Dano Milunovich is Executive Vice President of Operations for Global Interpreting Services, LLC. with responsibility for overseeing the entire business module including daily operations, business marketing, client relations, customer service, and HR compliance. Prior to joining Global, he worked for Chrysler Corporation in several different capacities including positions as Corporate Materials Management, Pilot Operations Launch Manager, Operations Manager - U.S. Customs Northern and Southern Border Jurisdiction, and Operations Manager, Parts and Materials, Transportation Management and Cost Control. His daily duties consisted of strategic business development concepts and processes, while traveling extensively through Canada and Mexico representing Chrysler in all facets of U.S. Customs compliance.

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Dano’s greatest strengths are his creativity, drive, negotiating skills and leadership. He constantly seeks out new challenges, particularly those that expand the company’s reach. One of his most recent achievements has been working in a leadership role allowing Global to diversify its business model to a total communication company offering sign and foreign language interpreting, full document translation services, as well as video and telephone remote interpreting.

Education is paramount in today’s business atmosphere. Having the ability to understand the dynamics of various business models and the internal and external processes within those models, are key designators for successful results throughout. Dano holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University, graduating with honors in each instance. He is keenly equipped to provide guidance and mentoring at all levels for staff and clients whenever required.

“The world operates successfully whenever communication barriers are nullified. At Global Interpreting Cares, our mission supports ensuring those barriers remain nullified for all.”

Secretary: Kira Kurkierewicz

Kira Kurkierewicz, Director of Operations at Global Interpreting Services (GIS) for six years, is our Secretary for Global Interpreting Cares (GIC). At GIS, she oversees the office staff, assigns responsibilities, and creates processes and projects. Kira interfaces with senior management daily: communicating ideas for concepts, future assignments, and pathways for substantial growth and opportunities. Kira graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor’s degree in communications. In conjunction with all skills, Kira will solidify continued success for our non-profit’s operational stability, tracking of community support, and can assist with any issues regarding a community partner and/or GIS interpreter and translator performance—anything deviated from what is normally expected. Kira is an asset to our overall purpose and responsibility of all categories and programming for our community impact.

Treasurer: Lauren Carr

Lauren has been navigating the tax and accounting world since 2005. With 16 years of payroll expertise under her belt, she has developed a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in managing payroll efficiently and accurately. In 2011, she took the leap and opened her own payroll processing and bookkeeping company where she combines her passion for numbers with a commitment to helping businesses and our non-profit, Global Interpreting Cares, thrive!

At a Glance

Vision

Building a community where language is more accessible to individuals who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have limited English proficiency.

Values

  • Effective Communication
  • Commitment
  • Accessible

The Need

Global Interpreting Cares understands the importance of advocating for your multilingual citizens. Today, there are more than 350 languages spoken in the United States. Our goal is to bridge the gap and provide effective communication for all communities.

Did you know? In the United States:

  • 1 in 5 people (67.8 million) speak a language other than English in their home.
  • 22% of public-school students speak a language other than English in the home.
  • 53% of immigrants with limited English proficiency have had difficulty or encountered language barriers in healthcare, accessing government services, using the legal system and employment.
  • 10% of Deaf children come from Deaf parents. 90% of Deaf children come from hearing parents.
  • 14%, or 1 in 8 people, have hearing loss.

Without sustained investment to proper interpreting and/or translation services, hundreds of families and students can face risks or consequences in critical settings like education, medical, and legal. We want to uphold equity, dignity, and legal rights, improve outcomes in education, health, and social well-being, and prevent long-term harm for these vulnerable communities.

Goals

  • Protect effective communication in all diverse settings
  • Support effective communication amongst all education sectors
  • Provide a variety of programs and opportunities for interactions with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Limited English-speaking communities.

Target Population

Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Limited English-speaking communities.

A quick view of our Vision, Values, the Need we address, our Goals, and who we serve.