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Meet our admin team!
Julie Ripoll
Executive Director
Julie Ripoll moved to California, with her family, in 2012 after living in Austin, Texas. Julie Ripoll holds a Master of Law, Economics and Management from the University of Paris Sorbonne, and an MBA from the Paris Institute of Business Administration (IAE - Sorbonne Business School).
She went to UCSD to learn more about fundraising and development while volunteering in various organizations related to education or social justice. She worked at San Diego French American School, then opened her company “San Diego, c’est beau!” which helped newcomers settle in the Finest City of America (relocation) and showed tours with historical and architectural sights.
While in France, she worked as a computer scientist at the Marine Nationale, as a geographical information analyst at the Town Hall of Mougins, and was elected in the city of Pegomas as a councilwoman.
She enjoys going on a walk or watching a movie with her family, and making her own sourdough bread or baguettes in her free time.
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.
Estela Baptista
Educational Director
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.
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Laurence Vaurie
Director of Cultural Affairs
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 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.