Meet TaikaTranslations super team!
Jason Ehlinger
Jason Ehlinger is the CEO and co-founder of Taika Translations, launched in 2009 with his wife Margarita. Over the past 13 years, the company has disrupted the translation industry through innovation and a values-driven culture.
Jason emphasizes strategic growth fueled by a team committed to creativity and excellence. Before founding Taika, he served in the U.S. Air Force and now dedicates time to supporting disadvantaged families and mentoring entrepreneurs on building resilient, value-based businesses.
Margarita Ehlinger
Margarita Ehlinger is the co-founder of Taika Translations and the original spark behind the company’s creation back in 2009. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Finno-Ugric Languages, she became a translator herself—and a highly successful one. Her dedication and exceptional work led clients to request help in additional languages beyond her own expertise. It wasn’t long before Maggie realized the need for a broader team to meet growing demand. That’s when Jason joined, bringing leadership and management to complement Maggie’s operational and linguistic skills. Together, they built Taika into the thriving company it is today. Now a mother of eight, Maggie balances business and family life, enjoying travel, adventure, and being an expert host.
Mike Klanin
Mike is the Chief Accountant. He has been with our company from very early on and was the very first hire. Mike learned finance and accounting while working at TaikaTranslations and eventually worked his way through the ranks to the position he holds now. He implements financial management and accounting principles and strategy and provides guidance and company leadership in multiple critical areas. He is an expert guitarist and has served in multiple bands on his free time. He enjoys traveling, culture and art, and good music of course! He volunteers at many church and community outreach events and even went to help refugees escaping from the Russian invasion in Ukraine by interpreting for them in the neighboring country of Romania.
Daniel Poltoraks
Daniel is the Chief Operation Officer, has strong process and team leadership skills, and leads the production team in innovation and process development and planning. He implements digitalization across our platforms and integrates strategy and solutions into work programs. Daniel provides client advice, and R&D and enhances our use of technology in all practical spheres to create an efficient and modern approach to everything we do. Daniel’s previous experience involves sales management and the co-founding of a toy company that sold products in the Baltic and Scandinavian markets. He volunteers in the community to help inner city teens providing a safe and healthy atmosphere where they can hang out and learn important principles and developmental character.
Kristina Poltoraks
Kristina Poltorak is one of the longest-serving team members at Taika Translations, having grown from project manager to leader of a new department she built and managed for nearly a decade. Known for her “eagle eye,” Kristina excels at identifying issues others might miss, ensuring top-quality project outcomes. She is driven by a passion for improving the world - whether at work, in her city, or her own backyard. With a background in Public Health, she brings the mindset that “it’s easier to prevent than to fix” into everything she does at Taika. Fluent in four languages since childhood, Kristina loves studying linguistic nuances and reading the Bible in multiple languages. Outside of work, she enjoys design projects, from home décor to children’s Bible study spaces, and finds joy in detail-oriented hobbies like sorting, puzzles, and embroidery.
Artjom Dudarev
Artjom Dudarev is a Senior Project Manager at Taika Translations, known for leading teams to success while fostering a collaborative environment where every member feels valued. He is dedicated to delivering tailored, professional services that build lasting client relationships based on trust and excellence. Artjom approaches every project with a strategic mindset and adaptability, ensuring high-quality outcomes even in dynamic settings. Beyond work, he is deeply involved in his local church, mentoring underprivileged teens and helping them navigate life’s challenges with guidance and encouragement.
Karlis Kleinhofs-Prusis
Kārlis Poltoraks is a Senior Project Manager at Taika Translations, leading projects with structure, precision, and teamwork. He continually sharpens his leadership and project management skills while ensuring seamless execution. Outside of work, Kārlis enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, exploring nature, traveling, and maintaining family traditions. Passionate about learning, he listens to audiobooks on culture and history, and loves hands-on work with farming equipment and cars.
Ramona Dudareva
Ramona plays a key role at Taika Translations, supporting client relations, translator coordination, and marketing efforts. With a background in management, she brings organization and warmth to every interaction, helping build strong connections with both clients and the linguist community. Ramona ensures smooth project workflows, handles communications and payments, and assists in marketing initiatives that strengthen Taika’s community. She values the flexibility of her role, allowing her to balance professional growth with motherhood, and is known for her positive attitude and dedication.
Erick “Yeriko” Cortes
Erick “Yeriko” Cortes is a Project Manager at Taika Translations, ensuring top quality in every project. With a strong background in Software Quality Assurance, he applies his expertise to maintain excellence across workflows. Erick has held roles from software and video game developer to SDET, continually driving process innovation. Outside of work, he’s a passionate gamer and educator, sharing knowledge through programming and QA conferences to help others grow in the tech industry.
Liza Zhernokleyeva
Liza Zhernokleyeva has been working as a Project Manager at Taika Translations, balancing her role while pursuing a degree in Multimedia and Communications. She ensures projects are delivered on time and up to standard, reviewing linguists’ work, handling formatting, and finalizing files for clients. Liza values the supportive team environment at Taika, knowing she can always count on her colleagues. Outside of work, she enjoys volleyball, basketball, cycling, and dreams of traveling to Japan - her favorite destination so far is the South of France.
Jake Gardner
Jacob H. Gardner leads Business Development at Taika Translations, focusing on government, commercial, and nonprofit sectors. He specializes in building partnerships and securing contracts across federal, state, and local agencies. With a strong background in project management and regulatory compliance, Jake prepares proposals, oversees client acquisition, and develops strategies to expand Taika’s presence in the public sector. He is passionate about fostering collaboration and creating solutions that meet the unique needs of government clients. Outside of work, Jake enjoys mentoring others and contributing his expertise to help organizations navigate complex challenges.
Jacob Formin
Jacob Fomin is a valued team member at Taika Translations, bringing dedication, resilience, and a joyful spirit to everything he does. Originally from Liepāja, Latvia, Jacob balances work and family life, caring for his younger siblings while building his own future. He enjoys solving puzzles, playing electric guitar, fishing, and dreams of owning his first motorcycle. Known for his thoughtful nature and quiet determination, Jacob approaches life with humor, faith, and a deep commitment to becoming a loving husband and father. His strength and positivity inspire those around him every day.
Karina Romano
Karina Romano is the Head of Marketing at Taika Translations, leading innovative strategies to amplify the company’s global presence. With a strong background in marketing, entrepreneurship, and communication, she brings creative solutions that enhance visibility and growth. Karina’s work bridges business, technology, and education, fostering partnerships across sectors. Beyond her role at Taika, she actively promotes entrepreneurship and innovation through initiatives like Startup Grind and Smart Neves, empowering local communities. Passionate about storytelling, creativity, and impact, Karina is dedicated to driving positive change through strategic communication.
João Vitor
João is a creative professional at Taika Translations, specializing in graphic design, video production, and storytelling. With a strong background in branding, visual communication, and digital marketing, he brings ideas to life through compelling visuals and engaging content. João leads creative projects from concept to execution, blending design, video editing, and scripting to deliver impactful messages. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, filmmaking, and exploring new creative challenges, always driven by a passion for visual storytelling.
Kaio Silva
Kaio Silva supports the creative team at Taika Translations, assisting with video editing and content production. Passionate about storytelling and visual media, he brings fresh ideas and enthusiasm to every project. Despite his young age, Kaio shows dedication and a strong work ethic, always eager to learn and grow in the creative field. Outside of work, he enjoys sports, gaming, and developing his own projects in video editing and design.