Vanja Keindl: A Trailblazer in Language Innovation and Inclusive Global Business
Language has always been more than just a tool for communication; it’s how we understand one another, build trust across cultures, and bring ideas to life. Today, the ability to communicate clearly and sensitively across borders is more important than ever. From business negotiations to healthcare guidance, translation done right can mean the difference between confusion and connection, or missed opportunity and mutual growth.
Few people understand this better than Vanja Keindl, a seasoned language professional and the founder of VERBA CENTAR d.o.o. (Croatia) and Verba Aps (Denmark). With over two decades of experience in the language services industry, she has built a company that goes far beyond words on a page. Vanja’s work is rooted in a deep understanding of language as a cultural force and a belief that precision, empathy, and innovation must go hand in hand. Through VERBA, she’s not only helping organizations communicate more effectively, but she’s also creating a ripple effect of connection, inclusion, and impact across the world.
Working Where Words Actually Matter
Vanja has always been curious about how language works. Even as a kid, she noticed the little things, how words come together like puzzle pieces, or how different languages find their own ways to express the same idea. That curiosity never really went away. Instead, it led her to dive deeper into language studies and information sciences, two areas that, for her, naturally go hand in hand. Language is a form of information, after all, and tools from information science make it easier to shape, share, and understand that information.
Over time, Vanja discovered just how many doors this combination can open. She’s helped others become more confident communicators, worked on translation and localization projects to bridge cultural gaps, and created content that turns complex messages into something simple and clear.
But what she loves most is the people side of it all. Her work brings her into contact with folks from different backgrounds, cultures, and industries, and there’s always something new to learn. That constant variety and connection are what keep her engaged and motivated in what she does.
Building Boldly From a Clear Vision
Back in 1998, what gave Vanja the confidence to launch VERBA wasn’t just a business idea, it was her entrepreneurial mindset. She’s always believed that waiting for the “perfect” moment is often a trap. If you spot an opportunity, you have to move. And that’s exactly what she did when she noticed a real need in the market for language services that were both high-quality and dependable. She didn’t wait, she built something to fill that gap.
Hard work never intimidated her, either. In fact, she leaned into it. Long hours didn’t faze her, because she had a clear vision and knew every step forward was getting her closer to it. From the very beginning, Vanja set ambitious but focused goals, and she chased them with drive and purpose. That mix of clear direction, grit, and a deep sense of purpose is what helped her take that leap into entrepreneurship. And now, looking back, she’s glad she listened to her gut.
Shaping Standards Through Cultural Understanding
Vanja’s academic background, especially her master’s degree in German studies, was a major influence in shaping VERBA right from the start. It gave her more than just fluency in the language; it taught her to notice the subtle cultural and linguistic details that are so important in high-quality translation and communication. That depth of understanding became a cornerstone of her approach.
In those early days, her education gave her the confidence to personally take on complex projects, making sure the work met the exact standards she had in mind. That hands-on experience also helped her set a high bar for quality across the company and train others to uphold it. Looking back, her studies didn’t just provide knowledge; they shaped the way she thinks. They gave her the mindset to build a business rooted in precision, cultural sensitivity, and professional excellence in language services.
Building Global Presence, One Market at a Time
When Vanja founded VERBA, she had a clear goal in mind: to offer reliable, high-quality language and translation services that businesses could truly count on. At the heart of it was a simple but powerful idea: helping people communicate clearly across languages and cultures. That mission to bridge borders through language has guided her from day one.
As the company evolved, so did Vanja’s vision. Today, VERBA operates on a global scale, with offices in both Croatia and Denmark, offering a full suite of language solutions that blend expert human insight with smart technology. Despite all the growth and innovation, the company has never lost sight of its core values: quality, precision, and result.
The decision to expand into Denmark wasn’t just about opening another office; it was about moving closer to international clients, embracing new ways of working, and staying in step with the needs of modern global businesses. Vanja saw real opportunity in the Scandinavian and Western European markets, and she knew that being physically present in those regions would open up new possibilities. The move also brought fresh energy and ideas into the company, reinforcing VERBA’s position as a forward-thinking, results-driven language service provider.
Adapting Globally Without Losing Integrity
Scaling VERBA internationally was a major milestone for Vanja, both exciting and filled with challenges. One of the biggest hurdles she encountered was managing risk across borders, especially when it came to coordinating deadlines in multiple time zones. As the company expanded, so did the complexity of running smooth, delay-free operations. To stay on track, Vanja introduced robust project management systems, built around clear accountability, real-time progress tracking, and solid backup plans. These tools helped the team stay reliable and responsive, no matter where in the world they were working.
But logistics weren’t the only challenge. Vanja quickly learned that doing business globally meant navigating a wide range of cultural expectations and business norms. What worked well in one country didn’t always translate to another, whether it was negotiation styles, communication habits, or how decisions were made. Instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, she adapted strategies to fit local contexts, always staying true to VERBA’s values. That flexibility built trust and helped foster long-lasting partnerships.
In the end, international growth wasn’t just about expanding geographically; it was about finding the right balance between structure and adaptability. Vanja made sure VERBA stayed consistent in its standards, while also respecting the different ways business gets done around the world.
Adapting With Technology, Leading With People
Vanja isn’t worried that AI will replace language professionals, and for good reason. She’s seen machine translation and artificial intelligence evolve within the industry for years, but rather than making human experts obsolete, they’ve changed how the work gets done. When used wisely, these tools help linguists work faster, more accurately, and with fewer mistakes.
She knows from experience that translation is only one piece of the puzzle, especially in complex fields like healthcare, law, technology, and marketing. Behind every project is a range of tasks: preparing files, managing terminology, adapting content for specific audiences, using smart tools to track performance, and ensuring quality from start to finish. Those layers of expertise, judgment, and nuance still depend on human professionals who understand the context and the stakes.
Looking to the future, Vanja sees even more potential for specialized, tailored language content, designed to connect with specific markets and audiences in meaningful ways. AI will play a role, she believes, but it will be as a tool that enhances the work, not one that replaces the insight and experience only people can bring.
Setting the Standard in Language Quality
What really sets VERBA’s triple-layered quality process apart is the depth of expertise involved at every step. Each linguist on the team holds a master’s degree and specializes in a specific field, combining deep subject-matter knowledge with linguistic precision. This ensures that translations aren’t just accurate, they’re contextually and technically sound.
But it’s the final layer that truly distinguishes VERBA. Every project goes through a finalcheck by a dedicated linguistic project manager. This isn’t just a routine proofread, it’s a detailed review that ensures everything aligns with the project brief and the client’s preferred terminology. That extra layer helps ensure the finished work meets both linguistic standards and business expectations.
Vanja’s focus on quality has always gone hand-in-hand with her values, and one of those values is sustainability. It became even more personal to her after becoming a parent. Her daughter, who already shares her love for languages, sees herself following a similar path one day. That vision for the future, including recognition of a stronger sense of responsibility, not just to run a successful business, but to build one that’s sustainable and future-facing.
By weaving sustainability into VERBA’s operations, Vanja is helping the company make a positive impact on both the environment and the wider community. For her, it’s about more than business; it’s about setting an example and creating something her daughter, and future generations in the language services industry, can be proud to be part of.
Recognizing Leadership in Many Forms
Vanja is deeply committed to supporting women entrepreneurs, a passion shaped by her own experience navigating the challenges of building a business. She firmly believes that when women thrive, entire communities benefit. Their success sparks innovation, drives growth, and inspires others to take bold steps forward. Through her advocacy, Vanja is helping to shape a more inclusive, diverse, and resilient business landscape.
In the past year, she’s been honored with several major awards recognizing her work in language services, business innovation, leadership, and her contribution to advancing women in entrepreneurship. For Vanja, no single award stands above the rest. Each one highlights a different part of her journey and acknowledges the dedication, heart, and consistency she’s brought to the language industry over the past 26 years.
What makes these recognitions so meaningful to her is their range, they reflect the many hats she wears: expert linguist, CEO, mentor, innovator, and advocate. They serve as reminders that success isn’t one-dimensional. It’s the sum of impact made across roles, over time.
More than anything, these milestones inspire her to keep learning, mentoring others, and giving back to the industry she’s so passionate about.
Evolving With Purpose in Every Step
As Vanja looks to the future, her focus, both personally and for VERBA, is staying agile and responsive in a fast-changing industry. She’s committed to evolving alongside the market by embracing new technologies, refining workflows, and developing services that reflect what clients actually need as their industries shift.
The language services space is moving quickly, but Vanja sees that as an opportunity. What sets VERBA apart, she believes, is its ability to innovate without losing the high standards and personal approach it’s built its reputation on. Her goal is not just to keep up with change, but to lead it, with smart, forward-thinking solutions that offer real value to clients.
Beyond strategy and growth, Vanja also has her sights set on nurturing the next generation of talent. For her, it’s just as important to keep the passion for language alive as it is to stay competitive. That human connection, through mentorship, purpose, and love for the work, is what she sees as the foundation of lasting success.
For print and design purposes:
Featured Person and Designation: Vanja Keindl, Founder & CEO
Organization: VERBA CENTAR d.o.o.
Quotes: “You can’t wait for the perfect moment—because it rarely comes. If you see an opportunity, act on it. That mindset is what helped me start VERBA.”
“AI won’t replace human language professionals—it will enhance what we do. Real insight, cultural understanding, and context still require a human mind.”
“Every award I’ve received tells a different part of my journey. Together, they validate not just the results, but the passion, consistency, and purpose behind the work.”
“Building a global business means adapting to different cultures while staying true to your values. That’s where real trust and long-term success begin.”“Sustainability became deeply personal when I became a parent. I’m not just building a company—I’m building something my daughter can be proud to carry forward.”
