Jana Owen hails originally from Portland, Oregon where she majored in Metal Fabrication at Benson Polytechnic High School. She earned an AAS at Portland Community College and subsequently went to Washington, D.C. to take part in the SLA Mentorship Program. She also become involved in professional organizations and served local and national leadership roles in RID, Oregon RID and Potomac Chapter RID.

After spending time at Western Oregon State College and interpreting throughout the Willamette Valley, Jana moved to DC to rejoin SLA staff. With the benefit of a top notch group of colleagues she grew to take on a variety of roles over the years ranging at times from payroll clerk to Vice President for Professional staff. Throughout that time she continued to interpret and teach with a focus on legal settings. Most recently, she held the position of Vice President of Professional Services at Purple Communications.

This year Jana is thrilled to be returning to interpreting practice. She's stretching muscles and honing skills she's not used in awhile! Besides legal interpreting, her other favorite is the theater; recent shows include Winter's Tale and Chorus Line. Getting to interpret full time is making her smile full time too. Later this summer Jana will have a whole new adventure when she moves to the New York City area where her sweetie lives! That's making her smile lots too!