# Heather Shoemaker

> Heather Shoemaker is the founder and CEO of Language IO, the Cheyenne, Wyoming company developing AI translation for multilingual customer support. A former journalist and internationalization engineer, she wrote its original software, built the business with co-founder Kaarina Kvaavik, and became an outspoken advocate for women in technology and culturally aware AI.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Language IO
- **Organizations:** Language IO, Cheyenne Technology, Pearson, eCollege
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies, University of Washington, Master of Science, University of Colorado Boulder, College of Engineering
- **Known for:** Wrote the original code for Language IO’s platform., Built a business specializing in real-time multilingual customer support from Cheyenne, Wyoming., Named to Inc.’s 2024 Female Founders list.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2011** — Worked in journalism, internationalization engineering, and product management and globalization at eCollege/Pearson.
- **2011** — Formed Language IO with co-founder Kaarina Kvaavik.
- **2016–2017** — After selling Cheyenne Technology, shifted full attention to Language IO; its proprietary technology reached the market in 2017.
- **2021** — Language IO announced a $5 million funding round in March.
- **2022** — Language IO announced $6.5 million in funding in January.
- **2023** — Language IO announced an $8 million Series A1 in August, led by Joint Effects; WYVC was its largest investor.
- **2024** — Named to Inc.’s Female Founders list.
- **2026** — Named to the Forbes 50 Over 50: Innovation list.

## Achievements

- Wrote the original code for Language IO’s platform.
- Built a business specializing in real-time multilingual customer support from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
- Named to Inc.’s 2024 Female Founders list.
- Named to the 2026 Forbes 50 Over 50: Innovation list.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — Published a first-person account of speaking about bias in AI at the Texas Women’s Leadership Conference.
- **2026-03** — Appeared on The Global Xperience podcast to discuss scaling, capital and leadership.
- **2026-05** — Announced that Language IO integrated Google Gemini and DeepL NextGen into its translation engine.

## Links

- Website: https://languageio.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermorganshoemaker/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/heather-shoemaker
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20