Ross Perlin is a linguist, writer, and translator focused on exploring and supporting linguistic diversity. His book Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues in New York was published by Grove in 2024. Since 2013 he has been Co-Director of the Endangered Language Alliance, together with Daniel Kaufman. He also teaches linguistics at Columbia. Ross’ writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Harper’s, and elsewhere, and his first book Intern Nation: How to Earn Nothing and Learn Little in the Brave New Economy ignited a national conversation about unpaid work. He has an MA in Language Documentation and Description from SOAS and a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Bern.

Dr. Mary Therese Perez Hattori is a daughter of Guåhan (Guam), of the clan Familian Titang, born to Paul Mitsuo Hattori† of Kalihi, O’ahu and Fermina Leon Guerrero Perez† of the village of Chalan Pago. She currently serves as Director of the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) with the East-West Center and previously enjoyed a long career in various technology and education-related leadership positions.  She is also affiliate graduate faculty in Pacific Studies, Learning Design and Technology, and several Educational Doctorate programs at the University of Hawai’i and Chaminade University of Honolulu.  Dr. Hattori is also a community organizer, advocate for Pacific Islanders in the US, public speaker, author, poet, and co-founder of cultural events such as the Cultural Animation Film Festival and the Celebrate Micronesia Festival.