Open to opportunities

Joy Fisher

@joyfisher1

Linguistic AI & localization executive with a decade of high-fidelity translation and LLM fine-tuning for Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to apply linguistic QA/QC and cultural nuance to AI development—training, evaluating, and fine-tuning LLMs for Yoruba and Pidgin English with human-in-the-loop oversight, strong data integrity, and high-stakes accuracy.

I’m a dedicated linguistic consultant and business owner, and I currently serve as CEO of AFAARA, overseeing complex linguistic operations with a strong emphasis on accuracy, cultural nuance, and data integrity. I lead the development of linguistic data structures so Yoruba and Pidgin outputs meet rigorous grammatical and cultural standards, while I manage project lifecycles from client intake to final quality assurance.

Now, I’m applying this same expertise to the AI development space—training, evaluating, and fine-tuning Large Language Models (LLMs) for Yoruba and Pidgin English. I bring a meticulous eye for linguistic QA/QC, model evaluation, and algorithmic bias correction, because I believe culturally representative AI requires human-in-the-loop oversight and careful, nuance-sensitive localization.

Before AFAARA, I served as Owner & Lead Linguist at Apple of His Eyes Learning Center, where I directed linguistic accuracy and pedagogical direction and conducted deep-dive research into linguistic patterns and idioms to create ground-truth resources for language projects. I’ve also brought classroom and communications experience to my work, including translation/transcription/interpretation responsibilities and special education teaching—strengthening my ability to translate complexity into clear, high-quality outcomes.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

CEO & Lead Linguist

Current

AFAARA

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 6 months)

Oversees AFAARA’s operations and leads the development of Yoruba and Pidgin outputs to meet grammatical and cultural standards. Manages client intake through final quality assurance and provides strategic consulting on high-fidelity cultural translation.

Data Annotation Model Evaluation Strategic Project Management Team Oversight Quality Assurance

Current

Owner & Lead Linguist

Current

Apple of His Eyes Learning Center

Jan 2012 - Present (14 years 6 months)

Directs linguistic accuracy and pedagogical direction for a language consultancy. Conducts research into linguistic patterns and idioms to create ground-truth resources and collaborates with international partners to improve culturally nuanced information flow.

Linguistic Research Language Pedagogy Cross Cultural Communication

Owner / Part-time Teacher

AOHE Learning Center Inc.

Jan 2012 - Jan 2014 (2 years)

Taught after-school reading and writing to K-12 students and educated and supervised special needs students on social skills.

Writing Instruction K 12 Tutoring Special Needs Education

Special Education Teacher

Stehlik Intermediate School

Jan 2008 - Feb 2012 (4 years 1 month)

Served as a homeroom teacher and supported special education through ARD committee participation and the writing, implementation, and updating of IEPs. Planned student activities and supports aligned to IEPs and worked in a co-teach classroom while overseeing paraprofessionals.

Special Education Support Co Teaching Classroom Management Paraprofessional

Insurance Counselor & Claims Analyst

St Paul Travelers Insurance

May 2005 - Jan 2008 (2 years 8 months)

Worked as a Personal Insurance Counselor, Accounting Specialist, and Claims Analyst for St Paul Travelers Insurance’s personal lines property and casualty organization.

Accounting Claims Analysis

Accounts Resolution Assistant

Citigroup

Jan 2002 - Jan 2005 (3 years)

Served as an Accounts Resolution Assistant for Citigroup’s credit cards organization in Houston.

Credit Cards

Interpreting Services

RCCG Church

Jan 1997 - Jan 2002 (5 years)

Provided interpreting services for RCCG Church in Deux Plateau, Abidjan.

Interpreting

Administrative Assistant/ Human Resources

African Development Bank

Jan 1997 - Jan 2002 (5 years)

Provided administrative support and human resources assistance for the African Development Bank in Abidjan.

Administrative Support Human Resources

Special Education Teacher

Harmony School of Ingenuity

Jan 2012 - Present (14 years 6 months)

Taught grades 5–8 English Language Arts and Reading and used pull-out writing and reading sessions to support LPAC students. Collaborated with regular education teachers to co-taught and support students in special education.

Special Education English Language Arts Teaching Pull Out Co Teaching