International Leadership:

HU Xiao CEO & Founder, EN-CN Linguist

HU Xiao (pronounced who shall) is the founder of the Dao of Words and co-CEO. He's in charge of all media related projects here at the DoW. Xiao is a seasoned language professional himself and has extensive experience as a translator, interpreter, voiceover talent, music & media producer. As one of the most sought after simultaneous interpreters in Southern California, Xiao has interpreted for clients like APEC (PM Julia Gillard, Pres. Felipe Calderón, Pres. Aquino, APEC ABAC Deb Henretta, etc.,), CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vice Chairwoman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee (Madam Yan Junqi), Chrysler, Caltrans, Federal Court of Immigration, L.A. County Department of Agriculture, Symantec, AFM, CSU Pomona, OAH, International Code Council and at international conferences for the Red Cross, VISX and various other medical associations. When Xiao is not busy flying to his next interpretation destination, his extraordinary command of both languages and profound understanding of different cultures are being utilized by influential national newspapers, specialized tech firms as well as various government agencies like DEA, DHS and DOJ. His voice can be heard on Marvel's Ironman animation series, NU multimedia learning materials, Motorola and IHS commercials, Avid product videos and Australian tourism DVD productions.

Giovanni VALENTI Co-CEO, CN-EN Linguist

Giovanni Valenti is the Co-CEO of The Dao of Words. Giovanni holds numerous degrees/certificates in Chinese Language and Literature, Business, and Education. Giovanni spent more than 8 years in China where he studied at Shenzhen University and the Sichuan Institute for Ethnics Groups and later project managed at a major translation service provider where he was responsible for such projects as: The Tao of Yao: The Wit and Wisdom from the moving Great Wall Yao Ming, 100 Action Principles by Bill Fitz Patrick, Investment Guide in Tibet, China-UK AIDS Prevention and Care Project, various reports and international bids for such clients as the Second Survey & Design Institute of China Railways and China Construction in addition to hundreds of other projects. Giovanni has also worked as an English editor for Sichuan Grasslands Magazine, translator/consultant for several companies such as Huaxing Silicon Industries (Group) and Pro-Power Sports (Inc) in addition to serving as a language instructor for Apex Language Consultants and Informatics (Chengdu). Giovanni is an Associate Member of the American Translators Association (Chinese Division) and also a Member of the Translator's Association of Sichuan Province, China. Gio's book credits:

Thomas RYAN GM (North America) EN-ES Linguist

Thomas Ryan earned his Master of Science from California State University, Long Beach in 1993 and is bilingual in English and Spanish. He has worked in several countries including Venezuela and Mexico for extended periods of time. He served as President of the Sociedad Cientifica Amigos del Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, a bi-national organization operating in both Venezuela and the USA. As a biological consultant with superb command of Spanish, he has managed more than 30 successful projects were his talents were crucial to the daily communication and success of many endevours. Now Thomas is lending his managerial and linguistic expertise to the Dao of Words to help us reach both a higher level of efficiency and the Spanish speaking clientele.

Barbara Zhou GM (China) EN-CN Linguist, Management Expert

Associate Professor Barbara Zhou is the Director of International Project Department at Southwest Jiaotong University (Chengdu, China) where she has earned a BA in English, a MA in Linguistics and is currently finishing her doctorates in Management Science where her research focuses on marketing/brand management and customer relations. Her impressive portfolio includes everything from serving as senior translator for Chengdu Municipality and attracting millions of dollars in foreign investment and business to China to ensuring the successful localization of Intel and its personnel to the Southwest China region.  Barbara draws from her rich background in public affairs, translation and teaching to consult and offer training packages for client's all over China and is an essential contributor to advertising/marketing, news, business, and hospitality related projects at the Dao. Her trademarked linguistic diplomacy is sure to deliver your message with sustained resonance that is amplified by her extensive network of doers in China to help you get the job done.

Yelitza Alvarez, PM (North America, Los Angeles), En-ES Linguist