Admin Team

Julie Ripoll

Executive Director

Julie moved to California with her family in 2012 after several years in Austin. She holds a Master’s degree in Law, Economics, and Management from Paris-Sorbonne University, as well as an MBA from the IAE Paris-Sorbonne Business School.

After arriving in San Diego, Julie continued her professional development at University of California San Diego, focusing on fundraising and development while volunteering with organizations 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.

Prior to moving to the United States, Julie worked in France as a computer scientist for the Marine Nationale, a geographic information analyst for the Town Hall of Mougins, and served as a councilwoman in the city of Pégomas.

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

Estela Baptista

Educational Director

Estela studied Modern Languages and Literature, building a strong academic foundation in language and culture and nurturing her ambition to become a polyglot. She later lived in France and Portugal with her family, enriching her international perspective.

Her career has been devoted to education, particularly the French language. For 20 years, she taught French in Portuguese schools, and she continues this work in the United States at the Alliances Françaises in San Diego and New York. In Portugal, she also served for five years as Educational Director of an Adult Education Program, successfully leading this initiative as part of a collaborative team.

Beyond her professional life, Estela enjoys reading, watching films and series, and traveling. With roots in both French and Portuguese cultures, she has a deep 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.