Over a year ago, our Executive Director, Isabelle Heidbreder, shared her plans to step back from administrative responsibilities in the spring of 2026, while continuing her work as an instructor and serving as Consule Honoraire. In anticipation of this transition, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors launched a search in September for the organization’s next Executive Director and received applications from many highly qualified candidates.

We are now pleased to announce that Anne-Élise Hanley will be our new Executive Director, effective Monday, January 5th, 2026. Born and raised in France, Anne-Élise has been living in the US for two years. Some of you might already have met her through her volunteering in the office.

January and February will be a transition and training period during which Isabelle and Anne-Élise will work closely together, and Anne-Élise will assume all of the duties of the new position at the beginning of March.

Please join us in welcoming Anne-Élise at a reception at the Alliance on the evening of Friday, January 9, 2026 at 7:00 pm!

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Please let us know if you will be able to make it out!