Volunteers

We could not do it without the help of many of you! thanks for your time and commitment.

Here are a few of our volunteers.

Jennifer Gaul, Admin

Jennifer is a nurse practitioner who settled in San Diego a few years ago with her husband and two adorable children. She loves walking, dancing, singing and discovering the San Diego area.

Mathilde Guibert, Social media

From the Centre Val de Loire, Mathilde Guibert, relocated to San Diego in 2022. With a curious and creative disposition, she eagerly embraces social and cultural gatherings. She holds a Master's degree in Economics and an MBA in Digital Marketing and Data. In addition to her academic and cultural interests, Mathilde is an active individual who enjoys social events, French cuisine, especially cheese, swimming, running, and practicing yoga.

Yesenia Gonzalez, Hikes

Born in Mexico, with a French great grandfather, Yesenia says she's French at heart. She holds a Bachelor in Education and Master of Arts from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Mexico and CAVILAM, France. She's been teaching English as a second language for the last 18 years, in Private and Public Schools. She relocated to San Diego in 2009 and founded the AFSD Hikes in 2010. Teaching and sports, specially triathlon and hikes are her passion.

Vanina Joulin-Batejat, French Litterature Festival

Vanina, a French-American citizen, has lived in the U.S. for over 18 years after time in France and Canada. An expert international lawyer, she handles complex cases, provides executive coaching, and leads cross-cultural workshops. Since 2023, she has focused on writing professional books, short stories, and semi-fictional novels and promoting Francophone culture in the U.S. A proud mother, she cherishes her two amazing children.

Sylvie Nottoli, Events

Originally from the sunny south of France, Sylvie has been living in San Diego for over 20 years. Trained in the most prestigious makeup academy in Paris, Sylvie has worked as a key makeup artist for the film industry, television, photoshoots and the opera.

She loves entertaining guests and friends around delicious home made dishes.

Olivier Pasco, French Film Club and Film Festival

Olivier is a French native who calls San Diego home for more than 20 years. He is an engineer working in the automotive industry. His passion for cinema led him to found the French Film Club of San Diego. His talent for curating the movies we present is precious.

Daria Samokhina, Book Club coordinator and Library

Daria, born near Moscow, began learning French in middle school and it quickly became her passion. After earning her teaching diploma, she taught Russian in Tours for two years, refining her French skills and enjoying the Loire Valley. She pursued graduate studies in French literature at Notre Dame (MA) and Stanford (Ph.D.). In 2008, she moved to San Diego, where she currently lives, sharing her love for French language, culture, and literature with her students, family, and friends.

Many thanks to all who donate their time and contribute to our community! This list is non exhaustive.

Marion Addo, Mariana Arcia, Elisabeth Bergman, Catherine Bellier-Igasaki, Amélie Catheline, Delphine Cledic, Mathilde Epstein, Frank Finch, Karen Hirschfeld, Louis de Guise, Gaelle Goutain, Rodney Lafaye, Anne-Laure Le Reverend, Claire Marti, Joel Martin, Julie Morisot, Diana Nassar, Ingrid Pasco, Véronique Rahmati, Julie Ripoll and Family, Susan Ranft, Julie Rehany, Elisabeth S, Allie and Bertrand Thomas, Laurence de Valmy and Family, Ivana Warma, Henry Worm and many more!

Is your name missing? We are sorry for the omission.

Please get in touch with culture@afsandiego.org so we can update the page.