Admin Team

Julie Ripoll

Executive Director

Julie holds a Master’s degree in Law, Economics, and Management from Paris-Sorbonne University, as well as an MBA from IAE Paris-Sorbonne Business School.

Since 2022, Julie has served as Executive Director of Alliance Française de San Diego, where she oversees the organisation’s educational, cultural, and community programs and works to strengthen connections between the French and San Diego communities.

She started her career in France as a computer scientist for the Marine Nationale, a geographic information analyst for the Town Hall of Mougins, and a councilwoman in the city of Pégomas. After several years in Austin, Julie moved to San Diego in 2012. She continued her professional development at the University of California San Diego, focusing on fundraising and development, while volunteering with organisations dedicated to education and social justice. She later worked at the San Diego French-American School before founding San Diego, c’est beau!, a relocation and cultural tour company helping newcomers discover and settle into America’s Finest City through historical and architectural tours.

In recognition of her contributions to the French-American community, Julie received the Trophée Lifting Up Legacy, sponsored by Delta, at the inaugural Trophées des Français de l’Ouest américain.

In her free time, Julie enjoys walking with her dog Belle, watching movies with her family, and baking homemade sourdough bread and baguettes.

Estela Baptista

Educational Director

With more than 30 years of experience in language education, Estela has dedicated her career to teaching French and promoting the richness of language and culture. She studied Modern Languages and Literature, developing a strong academic foundation in languages while nurturing her ambition to become a polyglot.

Her international experience has been an important part of both her personal and professional journey. She lived in France and Portugal with her family and spent 20 years teaching French in Portuguese schools. During her time in Portugal, she also served for five years as Educational Director of an Adult Education Program, leading the initiative as part of a collaborative team.

Estela continued her teaching career in the United States, working with the Alliances Françaises in San Diego and New York. She brings to her work a deep understanding of language learning, a passion for education, and a truly international perspective.

Outside of work, Estela enjoys reading, watching films and series, and traveling. With roots in both French and Portuguese cultures, she has a particular appreciation for good food and fine wine.

Laurence Vaurie

Director of Cultural Affairs

Laurence holds a Master’s degree in Economics & Management from the University of Paris-Dauphine and a Master’s in Marketing from the Aix Institute of Business Administration (IAE). Alongside her career in marketing, she has pursued her lifelong passion for art as a professional artist, with a deep interest in art history and culture.

At the Alliance Française of San Diego, Laurence oversees communications and events, in addition to teaching art classes. Since moving to the United States in 2013—first to the East Coast and later to San Diego—she has been active in the art world, giving lectures, publishing articles, and contributing to art publications. She is also a dedicated Wikipedia contributor, working to expand and enrich the biographies of women artists.

Christelle Losat-Chavez 

Exams & Certifications Director

Christelle holds a Bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages from Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle, specializing in International Business Studies. She also earned the DAEFLE and is certified as a DELF, DALF, and TCF Examiner-Corrector. With over 15 years of experience in education and cross-cultural environments, she brings strong expertise in program coordination, assessment, and communication. 

Over time, through close collaboration within the certifications team, she developed a deep familiarity with exam procedures and a genuine understanding of candidates’ needs and challenges. As Exams and Certifications Director at the Alliance Française of San Diego, Christelle oversees the organization, administration, and quality assurance of official French language examinations.

She also enjoys supporting and training candidates as they prepare for their exams, helping them gain confidence and clarity throughout their journey. Her approach is rooted in care, guidance, and a strong belief in accessible, human-centered education.

Véronique Ricatte

Office manager

Véronique graduated from Paris University with a degree in Social and Economic Administration. She built her career in Human Resources over a decade, holding roles at Manpower and the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry while living in the suburbs of Paris. In 2009, she relocated to San Francisco, where she continued her career at Google and Palo Alto Networks.

After five years in the Bay Area, Véronique and her family settled in San Diego—often called America’s Finest City. She feels fortunate to call it home and enjoys exploring Southern California’s natural beauty, especially through hiking with friends and embracing the region’s vibrant lifestyle.

Ludivine De Anda

Finance & Accounting Manager

Born and raised in the Loire Valley, France, Ludivine earned a BA in Tourism and Hospitality before moving to the United States as an au pair, an experience that allowed her to immerse herself in American culture while learning English.

San Diego has been her home for the past 12 years. She began her career as an administrative assistant at La Petite École before transitioning into philanthropy as a Development Coordinator at the San Diego Symphony. In 2021, she joined the Lawrence Family JCC as Annual Campaign and Gifts Manager and later became Director of Philanthropy. These experiences deepened her interest in nonprofit financial management and ultimately led her to join Alliance Française de San Diego as Finance & Accounting Manager.

Ludivine is also passionate about raising her almost seven-year-old son in a trilingual and multicultural environment. Helping him develop a strong connection to the French language and their family in France is especially meaningful to her.