Meet Our Leadership Team
Driving Excellence in Life Sciences Translation & Localization
At Sesen, our leadership team brings together deep expertise in life sciences, regulatory compliance, and cutting-edge language solutions to support global organizations in achieving seamless international communication. With decades of experience in translation, localization technology, and industry-specific regulatory standards, our leaders are dedicated to delivering high-quality, compliant, and technology-enabled human translation solutions.
Guided by a client-first approach, our team ensures that every project meets the highest standards of accuracy, efficiency, and compliance, enabling pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies to navigate complex multilingual requirements with confidence. Through strategic innovation and operational excellence, we drive forward-thinking solutions that help our clients succeed in an increasingly globalized and regulated world.
Shunee Yee
Founder & CEO
A recognized entrepreneur and one of Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women,” Shunee founded CSOFT, Sesen’s parent company, with a vision to bridge cultural and linguistic barriers through cutting-edge localization solutions. Under her leadership, CSOFT has grown into a global leader in language services, driving client-centric innovation in life sciences translation. She is a thought leader in cross-cultural communication and serves on the Joslin Diabetes Center Board at Beth Israel Lahey Health.
Key Achievements & Contributions:
- Scaled CSOFT into a globally recognized life sciences localization leader.
- Spearheaded linguistic validation automation solutions for regulatory and clinical compliance.
- Serves as a key influencer in multilingual communication and healthcare localization.
Diego Di Leva
Vice President, Global Operations & Strategic Partnership
Originally from Italy, Diego leads global operations, project management, and supply chain strategy, ensuring seamless execution of large-scale localization programs. With a background in QA and translation, he brings deep operational expertise to optimizing global linguistic workflows. An ISO Lead Auditor, he ensures compliance with the highest quality and regulatory standards in life sciences localization.
Key Achievements & Contributions:
- Optimized end-to-end localization processes for scalability and efficiency.
- Led ISO compliance initiatives to enhance quality and security protocols.
- Built strategic partnerships to support global life sciences expansion.
Paul Canton
Vice President, Data Security & Chief of Staff
Paul oversees data security, cloud infrastructure, and IT strategy, ensuring robust cybersecurity frameworks for Sesen’s global operations. With over 20 years in life sciences localization, he bridges the gap between technical security, client services, and regulatory compliance. His expertise in risk management and cloud technologies supports scalable and secure translation solutions.
Key Achievements & Contributions:
- Developed enterprise-level cybersecurity solutions for regulated industries.
- Designed cloud-based infrastructures for secure global translation workflows.
- Strengthened cross-functional collaboration between IT, management, and sales.
Carl Yao
Executive Vice President, Strategic Business Development & General Manager, Stepes
Carl drives strategic business development and AI-driven translation R&D, shaping Sesen’s next-generation localization platforms. With over 20 years in the industry, he has pioneered AI-integrated translation workflows, enhancing scalability, automation, and linguistic quality. A graduate of Whitman College (Mathematics & Computer Science), he pursued AI specialization at Brown University.
Key Achievements & Contributions:
- Developed AI-powered translation platforms to enhance efficiency and quality.
- Led mobile-first translation innovations, enabling real-time multilingual support.
- Built global strategic partnerships to advance language technology adoption.
Michael Gray
Vice President, North America Business Development
With nearly a decade of localization experience and a background in Portuguese and International Business, Michael helps life sciences companies navigate global markets with confidence. His expertise in client engagement, localization strategy, and market expansion ensures seamless execution of multilingual communication solutions. Michael holds a BA degree in economics from the University of California, Irvine.
Key Achievements & Contributions:
- Facilitated successful life sciences market entries across diverse geographies.
- Strengthened strategic account management and client partnerships.
- Expanded Sesen’s presence in North America, driving sustainable growth.
Vladimir (Vlado) Misik
VP, Global Clinical Trial Strategy, CSOFT Health Sciences
With over 30 years in biomedical R&D and clinical trials, Vlado guides Sesen’s global clinical trial strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance and streamlined trial operations. A former research scientist at The George Washington University and the NIH, he has held senior executive roles at Quintiles/IQVIA, SanaClis, LongTaal, and VIARES. His expertise spans clinical trial informatics, regulatory research, and biopharma product development.
Key Achievements & Contributions:
- Authored 60+ research publications on global clinical trials.
- Led clinical study deployments across multiple international markets.
- Serves on editorial boards and DIA Core Committees for clinical research.
Sydney Lacavalla
HR Manager, North America
Sydney manages talent acquisition, employee engagement, and HR strategy for Sesen’s North America operations. A SHRM-CP-certified HR professional, she specializes in organizational development and cross-functional team building, ensuring a high-performing workplace culture.
Key Achievements & Contributions:
- Optimized recruitment pipelines to attract top-tier localization talent.
- Implemented HR process improvements for scalability and operational efficiency.
- Championed employee engagement programs aligned with corporate growth.
