Our Goal is to Make Jeenie a Resource for People Who Might Otherwise Never Have Access to Professional Interpretation: Kirsten Brecht Baker, CEO of Jeenie

Jeenie is more than an app. It is a living network of human interpreters who can be reached in seconds through a phone or computer. The company offers interpretation in more than three hundred languages and dialects, ranging from global standards such as Spanish and Mandarin to indigenous languages that are rarely supported elsewhere. Unlike translation gadgets or dictionary-based tools, Jeenie is built for real situations where accuracy, timing and cultural awareness decide outcomes.

Consider a doctor trying to diagnose a patient in an emergency room, or a business leader about to sign a deal across borders. In both cases, a single misstep can derail trust. With Jeenie, they can open the service, request an interpreter, and be connected almost instantly. What the company provides is not simply a string of translated words. Its interpreters are trained to listen deeply, read context, and deliver nuance so the conversation holds together naturally. This combination of speed, access and human judgment is what makes the company stand out.

Kirsten Brecht Baker co-founded Jeenie after seeing how fragile communication becomes when people do not share a language. She has since guided the company from an idea that felt experimental to a trusted service for healthcare providers, multinationals, and humanitarian organizations. In our conversation, Kirsten explains what sparked Jeenie, how it scales human interpretation globally, and why she believes people still want authentic connection even as digital tools accelerate. Here’s what she had to say.

Interview Excerpts

How would you describe Jeenie in practice?

Jeenie connects people with live interpreters whenever they need one. The service is immediate and it works on mobile devices or desktops. Our interpreters are not just translating words. They are helping people navigate meaning and cultural differences at the very moment they matter most. If a nurse is treating a patient or a lawyer is working with a new client, they should not have to wait hours for interpretation. With Jeenie they get it in under a minute.

What first pushed you toward creating it?

I spent time working abroad and I saw how quickly language gaps influence outcomes. I watched business discussions stall because someone could not express an idea clearly. I saw patients unable to describe their symptoms. These were not cases of poor preparation. They were people who simply did not have access to the right support in the moment. That made me determined to build a service that would stand beside them so they could speak as themselves, without compromise.

How did the early days unfold?

It was uphill. Many people assumed interpretation was only possible through call centers or with scheduled appointments. When we introduced the idea of opening an app and connecting to a live human instantly, some thought it sounded unrealistic. That doubt forced us to refine every part of the service until it felt effortless. Once people tried it, they immediately understood the value. Skepticism turned into word-of-mouth growth.

What does human-first service look like in today’s world?

It means recognizing that words alone are never enough. Interpreters do more than swap vocabulary between languages. They notice tone, hesitation and cultural cues. They step in when a phrase might sound offensive in another context. At Jeenie we train interpreters not just in linguistic accuracy but also in empathy and cultural literacy. That combination makes the difference between someone being merely understood and someone being fully heard.

How did Jeenie respond during recent global disruptions?

When the world shifted to remote communication, demand for interpretation soared. Hospitals suddenly needed interpreters for telehealth appointments. Companies had to manage teams stretched across multiple time zones and languages. We expanded quickly but made sure quality was never sacrificed. We invested heavily in recruitment, training, and structured feedback. Growth is important, but it only matters if every interaction still meets the same high standard.

What qualities matter most when you recruit interpreters?

Strong language skills are obvious. Beyond that, we look for presence. We want people who can listen with patience, who adapt their tone and guide a conversation calmly under pressure. Cultural fluency is just as critical as vocabulary. Meaning can shift entirely depending on the context. That is why we recruit interpreters who understand both the spoken word and the cultural setting.

How do you balance human service with technology?

Technology is there to support, not to overshadow. Our systems handle logistics like matching and availability, while the interpreter delivers the actual service. That separation keeps the experience authentic. We are not chasing automation that risks stripping out the humanity people depend on. Taking the slower, more deliberate route preserves trust, and trust is the foundation of our business.

What remains your strongest priority moving forward?

We are focused on expanding into regions where language diversity is growing rapidly but traditional infrastructure is limited. Our goal is to make Jeenie a resource for people who might otherwise never have access to professional interpretation. We are also broadening the scope of what we offer. It is not only about interpretation during an emergency or negotiation. It is also about preparing professionals for cultural shifts before they happen. Imagine someone relocating to a new country. With Jeenie they can learn not just the vocabulary but the cultural rhythms that will help them succeed.

How do you preserve tradition while innovating?

I take inspiration from the long history of interpretation. People have relied on interpreters for centuries to negotiate treaties, conduct trade, and build alliances. That history reminds me that what we do is not new. What has changed is how we deliver it. We use modern tools to make interpretation faster, more accessible, and more consistent. The core purpose has not changed. It is about access and trust.

What advice would you give to founders trying to solve global problems?

Experience the problem directly. If you only view it from a distance, you will design weak solutions. Understand the stakes by being in the middle of the challenge. Deliver excellence for one person at one critical moment. That is how you earn credibility to scale. Growth should always come as a result of trust, never the other way around.

ABOUT | KIRSTEN BRECHT BAKER

Kirsten Brecht Baker, co-founder, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Jeenie. Her career has been shaped by international work where she witnessed how language gaps can block opportunity and trust. That experience drives her conviction that interpretation is an essential service, not a luxury. Under her leadership, Jeenie has grown into a global provider supporting professionals, organizations, and communities in more than three hundred languages.  

At Jeenie we train interpreters not just in linguistic accuracy but also in empathy and cultural literacy. That combination makes the difference between someone being merely understood and someone being fully heard.