02 Jan Carrying the Work Forward: Welcome 2026

Carrying the Work Forward: Welcome 2026

Julli Jaramillo

When people talk about nonprofits, they often talk about them as if they are abstract things. Structures. Boards. Logos. Missions. But the longer I’ve worked with NAJIT, the clearer it has become to me that this organization moves because people move it.

I’ve seen the work happen up close.

I’ve seen it continue during busy seasons, during uncertain ones, and during moments when it would have been easier to pause or pull back. Instead, people showed up. They showed up to meetings after long days. They stayed with conversations that required care and patience. They gave their time, their expertise, and their attention not because it was convenient, but because the work mattered.

That is how NAJIT keeps going.

There are people in this organization who hold pillars. Longstanding advocates, educators, and leaders whose labor has shaped the profession in lasting ways. Their contributions are structural. They are visible in the standards, the policies, the training, the history itself.

And then there are those of us who carry something smaller, but still necessary.

I often think of my own role that way. I am not holding up the structure. I am holding a candle. A steady light meant to illuminate, to document, to reflect, to make space for conversation. It is quieter work, but it belongs to the same purpose. And I am honored to be able to do it alongside people who have been carrying this organization forward for so long.

What has stayed with me most during my time with NAJIT is the consistency of effort. The fact that even when the profession feels under pressure, the work does not stop. Committees continue. Ideas are debated. Drafts are revised. Advocacy continues, sometimes slowly, sometimes imperfectly, but always with intention.

That persistence comes from people who care deeply about language access, about professional integrity, and about one another.

As we enter a new year, I don’t see it as a reset. I see it as a continuation. An opportunity to keep building on what already exists. To support growth without losing grounding. To remain open to change while honoring the work that made that change possible.

I’m grateful to be here. Grateful to contribute what I can. Grateful to stand among people holding pillars while I hold my candle, knowing that both forms of work matter.

I look forward to seeing what the new year brings for NAJIT. Not because I expect easy answers, but because I trust the people who will keep showing up to do the work.

And that, more than anything, is what gives me confidence in what’s ahead.

NAJIT is shaped by the people who show up to do the work. If you’ve witnessed moments of resilience, continuity, or care within this community, I invite you to share them in the comments.

Thank you for being part of this work, and for carrying it forward into the new year.

A radiant and confident portrait of a woman embracing bold style and elegance

Julli Jaramillo is the Publishing Coordinator and Editor-in-Chief for NAJIT. She holds a master’s degree in Translation from NYU and has extensive experience in quality assurance, content development, and strategic growth. Passionate about NAJIT’s mission to uphold ethical standards for judiciary translators and interpreters, she is dedicated to driving the organization’s growth while ensuring its publications meet high-quality standards and adapt to evolving industry demands. In her free time, Julli enjoys baking and creating art.

Feel free to reach out to her (editor@najit.org) to chat about the NAJIT Observer or Proteus—she is excited to collaborate!

Keep the Conversation Going

If this topic resonated with you, be sure to check out our previous blog posts for more insights on the realities of our profession, and the evolving world of judiciary translation and interpreting:

• • Going out with a Bang! — A tribute honoring Rob and Susan Cruz and the decade of leadership, stability, and community-building they brought to NAJIT.
  • The Couch: New Member to NAJIT — A new NAJIT member reflects on the uncertainty of stepping into an established professional community and asks how others found connection, confidence, and belonging within NAJIT.
  • Can Translation Be the Only Route? — Can translation stand on its own as a profession? A legal translator writes on sustainability, specialization, and choice in our field.

You can find these and more in our blog archives!

The images used in this post are sourced from Unsplash. They are used for illustrative purposes only.