our TEAM

Aliénor Maxence assists the director and leads our events, fundraisings and partnerships. Appreciating multiculturalism and international affairs, Aliénor has lived in various countries. She studied between Lille (Sciences Po Lille), Zurich (UZH) & Paris (SKEMA Business School) and through her previous appointment, she worked for the French Embassy’s Cultural Services, in Houston (TX). She dedicated herself to promoting French language and to strengthening collaboration between France, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Before joining the Embassy, Aliénor held the position of Communication & Event Assistant at the Air France Foundation. Later, she took on the role of Brand Manager for the BNP Paribas Group, presenting a career trajectory that blends both private and public sector. Beyond her professional endeavors, Aliénor's free time is spent with books in one hand, and travel bags in the other, pursuing the discovery of new places. She is also an amateur artist, as well as the happy owner of a horse, Pom.

Originally from Bordeaux in the southwest of France, Sandrine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages and trained to be a High School teacher at Framingham State College in Massachusetts. Upon graduation, she joined the Alliance Française of Boston, first as a teacher for both their adult and children’s programs, then becoming Director of their Education Department. Relocating de New York City in 2010 to join the French Institute-Alliance Française (FIAF), Sandrine was first in charge of their private and corporate language programs to then become their Preschool Director. Sandrine is passionate about promoting the French language and culture and now resides in Aliso Viejo, in southern Orange County, with her husband and 2 young children.

Patricia was originally born in Le Havre in Normandie, but spent her childhood in the North of France and in the Loire Vallée Area. It was there where she met her husband and her children were born. In 2003, her family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico because of her husband’s work as an expat and he was asked to stay for three years. The family proceeded obtain green cards and have since become official American citizens. In 2018, Patricia’s husband got a new job and the family moved to Irvine. Patricia’s nine years of experience with the Alliance Francaise d’Albuquerque led her to work with the Alliance in Newport Beach. Prior to her experience with the Alliance Francaise, Patricia worked as a business and communication high school teacher in France. Patricia loves sharing her French culture and enjoys hiking and crocheting.

Patricia is a certified TCF/DELF examiner and she is currently teaching every level of French.

Adeline was born and raised in the Parisian suburb of Val d‘Oise. She began a nursing career in Pediatric Oncology, followed by Pediatric Psychiatry focused on teenagers. In 2013, Adeline’s husband got a job in Santa Monica and the couple relocated, bringing with them their two lovely cats. After a few years, Adeline and her husband got their green cards and most importantly their little girl Clémentine. Adeline has always enjoyed tutoring and is very happy to have the opportunity to now teach French language and culture. She finds it important when teaching a new language, to focus more on achievement than errors and to provide a safe environment where language skills are promoted in all kind of situations. During her spare time, Adeline loves cooking, especially desserts as well as reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Adeline is a certified TCF/DELF/DALF examiner and she is currently teaching every level of French.

With a doctorate in modern languages from Middlebury College, Arya considers himself lucky to share his reverence for French literature with students eager to open a book and dive in, having discovered for themselves how rich and rewarding its study can be. With the advent of online teaching, geography is one fewer obstacle between us. Arya lives in San Francisco, where he is in his ninth year of teaching all aspects of French in that city's Alliance Française. Having grown up in Northern California, Arya stays on for the moments privilégiés in which he is able to bask in its nature -- ideally running through it, and constantly reminded that it deserves our stewardship.

Michaela grew up in Prague, Czech Republic, where she first started learning French in the French Institute. She pursued her education at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Charles University where she studied English and French philology. After an internship at the Department of Compared Literatures at University Paris IV-Sorbonne, she defended her master’s thesis in French literature. Later she completed a post graduate course on conference interpreting EMCI. After that, she worked as a freelance conference interpreter for the EU institutions and private clients in Europe – until her husband’s work brought her to California. Now she lives with her family in Irvine, teaches French, studies Spanish and loves to travel and explore beautiful places near and far.

Florence was born in the east of France and grew up in Paris. She received a Master in Management from the prestigious HEC Paris University, with a specialization in culture and communication, and marketing. She worked in the corporate world in Paris before moving to Orange county with her family 20 years ago. She has done extensive French tutoring to adults and children, in private classes and groups. She loves French culture, including French “films policiers” from the 60’s and 70’s, as well as Art Contemporain and Design. She enjoys music, film, cooking and traveling. She has 2 children who study in Montreal, Canada and UCLA.

Born and raised in Paris, Emilie has a Master in international law. However, her passion for writing led her to change her career path and she returned to school where she studied therapy for children and teenagers, graphotherapy and graphology and earned a certification in drawing interpretation. Emilie worked as a therapist in Neuilly-sur-Seine. She has always wanted to work with children to help and support them. In 2021, Emilie’s husband got a job in the US and, after many years of travel, the couple relocated with their three children (ages 16, 15 and 9) much to everyone’s delight! Emilie’s favorite hobbies are reading, theatre and yoga.

Justine was born and raised in the South West of France. She worked for 15 years in the Bordeaux area as a speech therapist with children, teenagers and adults. She is passionate about language and cognitive science, and is constantly updating her knowledge. She arrived with her husband in Orange County in September 2023 to take up a professional opportunity. They came with their two children (a 5-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son). For her, it's a great opportunity to get into French pastry-making and to continue transmitting her love of the French language at the Alliance Française. In her spare time, she enjoys piano playing, singing and hiking with her family.

Claire Mahieu was born in Paris, where she studied a Master of Management Sciences in Dauphine University. She became an academic French teacher in Management, Economy, Law and Accountability : a professional choice linked to her aspiration. Since the early 90’, she has moved several times : from the French South West, to Nigeria, Angola, and finally to Chili for 3 years (2018 – 2021) before settling in Orange County, CA, where her husband relocated for his work in an American biogas firm. When in France, she stays between l’Etang-la-Ville, a little town between Versailles and Saint-Germain-en-Laye) ; and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, near Biarritz, which is a surfing zone ! She appreciates discovering other cultures and landscapes, especially the latina culture, reading and movies from the whole world. She likes hiking, skiing, swimming and really enjoys being in California now!

Callie is a creative freelancer with a background in acting and writing. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Dramatic Arts and Film at UC Davis and went on to intern at the Cannes Film Festival. Callie can trace her love of France back to 1974, when her Dad set out to find his grandfather’s birthplace in Alsace and forged connections with many long-lost relatives. During her travels in France, Callie has been fortunate to maintain many of these family ties and in the process has fallen in love with the French language and lifestyle. Callie enjoys traveling, vintage shopping and spending time at the beach with her husband and baby girl at home in San Clemente.