Election of the new board members as of June 5th, 2022

MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our board members and board support team are all volunteers who serve without compensation. Our teachers are independent contractors teachers.

The organization operates by generating revenue from membership dues, classes and donations. Thank you for your support.

LYDIE SURGET

President

A French citizen, Lydie is an organized professional who had worked as a project leader in the Cosmetics and Perfumery Industries In France, Canada and the United States; and then as Sciences Teacher in French International School in Australia and Singapore.  She is passionate about promoting French culture. She has been in the AF board since May 2017, and the president since June 2018.

"I look forward to share my passion with you!"

"Hope to meet you at one of the Alliance’s events!! "

Lydie Surget

NATHALIE LAUMANN

Vice President 1

Nathalie Laumann has been living in the U.S. since 1996. Born in Arcachon, she holds degrees in Economics and Translation.

A member of AF Charlotte since 2007, her involvement started with the creation of events for children in 2009. She became President of the organization in 2012-2013 and has been Vice-President since 2018.

Currently working for a French Hotel Management Company, Nathalie previously worked in tourism, real estate, created a French school for children and also taught in the French department at Waddell Language Academy (now called SAIL).

For Nathalie, creating and organizing events to promote French culture has always been an exciting and rewarding volunteering activity.

Nathalie Laumann

REBECCA JOUBIN

Secretary and VP Francophonie

Rebecca Joubin is a professor and chair of Arab Studies of Davidson College, North Carolina.

She majored in French in college and spent her junior year in Montpellier, France. A true French experience that she enjoyed.

She is grateful for the transformative power that French language and culture has had in her life.

She has been volunteering  in the AF board since May, 2021. She is responsible for the Francophone events and fundraiser

Rebecca Joubin

ALLAN CALDWELL

Vice President

Allan Caldwell has lived in North Carolina his entire life.  He worked in IT for over twenty years and is now employed with an electrical contractor. 

Way back in high school, he developed a love for the French language that continues to grow. 

In 2019 he started to join Alliance Française events to refresh his French. He enjoyed the programs, the friendships and solidarity during the pandemic. He  has joined the AF board in 2021.

He is responsible for all the contests: Reading Aloud in French, French Spelling Bee and more, as well as regular events.

Allan Caldwell 

THOMAS STUDER

Treasurer

An American citizen, Thomas is a retired marketing and sales professional who has worked in the consumer-packaged goods industry most of his adult life. He has a B.A. in French from the University of N.C. at Charlotte and an M.B.A. in Marketing from St. Louis University. 

He has served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of two other non-profit organizations.

His family heritage has been traced back to the Alsace region of France, dating to 1591.

Thomas Studer

MEET OUR FRENCH TEACHERS

CORINNE BERTIN

Director of Classes and French Instructor

Corinne Bertin was born and raised in Brittany, France.  She worked as an elementary school principal and as a school teacher for 25 years. Then, she left Brittany to move to the U.S. with her husband in 2019. She joined Alliance Française de Charlotte in 2020.

"I love sharing my knowledge of the French language and culture in various dynamic and interactive classes."

"I look forward to seeing you in class !"

Corinne Bertin

JACQUES WHETTNALL

French Instructor

Jacques Whettnall was born and raised in Paris. He studied both philosophy and psychology at the University of Vincennes/Sorbonne. He participated in the founding of Recherche et Application Pedagogy: JDK alternative school. 

He previously taught adult professionals French at the Alliance Française in California. He also has taught in Japan and presently is co-director and teacher at Charlotte’s École du samedi, in addition to teaching at the Language Academy.

He believes in the situational approach, using authentic French as it applies to one’s personal interests and enjoyment. It is his great pleasure to build confidence in students, for learning a language is a means to learning more about oneself.

Jacques Whettnall

ANNE PIERRE

French Instructor

Anne is a mother of 3 boys. Over 3 years ago,  she was living with her family in Normandy (north west of France) and was working  for a major French bank in Paris. Following a job opportunity for her husband, she moved to Charlotte in 2019. This life change presented her with an opportunity to maximize her experience as a trainer and  group leader, while using her skills within an activity more in-line with her desires.

Her desire is to share, exchange, and pass on knowledge. She think that it is greatly satisfying being a part in making people more confident in French and helping them to grow by sharing her French experience. Dynamic and cheerful, it brings her happiness providing people with the desire and joy of learning to speak French.

Anne Pierre

DR. NGOIE JOEL NSHISSO

French Instructor

From the Congo DRC, Dr. Ngoie Joel Nshisso holds a Ph.D. in Business administration with a specialization in international business from Northcentral de San Diego, California.

Besides working as an international business consultant at Global Trade and Management Consulting (GTMCO) in North Carolina, he is a part-time teacher at Strayer University and at Alliance Française.

Dr. Joel is fluent in both French and English. He has amassed more than 30 years of leadership in private banking, not-for-profit sectors, and academic teaching. Further, he has gained multicultural knowledge that makes him a strong believer in diversity as a driving force of globalization.

Dr Joel Nshisso

YASMINA FIALIP

French Instructor

Yasmina is  a French instructor at the Alliance Française de Charlotte. She is from France and moved to the US in 2015 with my family. After 5 years in West Virginia, they moved to Charlotte where she find the diversity of people here to be amazing. 

She has experience as a both a teacher assistant and social worker back in France. Now, she is a massage therapist, French instructor, and mother of three here in Charlotte, NC.

It’s always a pleasure for her to share her native culture and language with the Alliance Française members, as well as meeting new people from all over the world.

She thinks family and food might be the things she missed the most when they made the move, but now in Charlotte they can at least satisfy the French food needs !! 

"See you soon at one of the Alliance’s events!! "

Yasmina Fialip

VIVIANE GERGES

French Instructor

Viviane has a very impressive teaching background. From 2004- 2007, Viviane was a French teacher at Miami College. Then, she was a French teacher at Collège Saint-Marc from 2007-2015. In 2008, she was a substitute teacher at the French School of Alexandria. There, she worked as a Technical and pedagogical assistant with the Zinc Multimedia Workshops at the CFCC in Alexandria. Also in Alexandria, Viviane was a French teacher at the French Institute of Egypt from 2013-2015. At the same time, she was a DELF examiner-corrector in 2015 in levels A1-A2-B1-B2.

Once in North Carolina, Viviane was a volunteer teacher of English as a second language, or ESL, with Gaston Literacy Council in 2016. Not only that but she was also a substitute teacher at Gaston County Schools from 2016-2017. Since 2017, she has been a French teacher at South Mecklenburg High School and French teacher with Alliance Française de Charlotte.

Viviane Gerges

EMMANUEL F.J.M. BARBE

French Instructor

Born in Epinal, France, Emmanuel came to the U.S. in 1995. He worked with Berlitz as an instructor as well as Language Center Director. Emmanuel teaches French to all age groups. Other professional experiences include after school programs at CMS, private tutoring, Ecole du Samedi, Alliance Française, and coordinating the French conversation hour at International House in Charlotte, NC.

Emmanuel also enjoys acting in the theatre with Shakespeare Carolina, Free Reign Theatre Co., and at Main Street Theatre

"I like to emphasize conversation as a pedagogical tool. I believe student participation should be at least 50% of the class time."

Emmanuel Barbe

CAMILLE WEHRLI

French Instructor

Camille is a French-Swiss teacher with Alliance Française de Charlotte. She  moved to Charlotte in July 2021 with her husband.  They are temporary residents here, in the beautiful Queen City.

She is a 2020 graduate and has, in addition to many internships, worked for a year in the Swiss public education. She has always want to guide students towards discovery.  What better way to start than by learning and discovering French ?!

Camille Wehrli

NADINE SIX

French Instructor

Nadine is a French native instructor. She was born and raised in Brittany on the Atlantic coast of France. Her family has been living in the United States for the past 8 years, and Nadine has been teaching French to children and adults in group classes or in private sessions  ever since.

She is passionate about promoting French language and can adapt to any learning style.

Nadine Six

FALONE DOMLE

French Instructor

Dr. Falone Domle is originally from Cameroon. She grew up in a family of teachers and started teaching at a very young age. This year marks her 16th year in education, and Dr. Domle has designed, instructed, and evaluated a variety of French courses from elementary to advanced classes. In addition to part-timing with us, she is a part-time faculty member in the department of languages and cultures at UNC Charlotte. 
Dr. Domle holds a Ph.D. in francophone studies from the University of Missouri, and she did her research on Subsaharian and Caribbean works of literature. Before obtaining her Ph.D., she completed a Master's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Earlier in college, she studied French and English Languages and Literature to earn a B. A. in Bilingual Letters and later on a Maitrise in African studies from the University of Dschang, Cameroon. 
When not teaching, Dr. D. loves to spend time with her family playing soccer or watching movies. With her husband, they love traveling and discoveringaround the world. 

Falone Domle

BOARD SUPPORT TEAM

KEVIN SURGET

Webmaster - Technical Assistant 

Born in Nashville TN, raised in several countries, studied alternatively in English and French educative system Kevin has settled in Charlotte, NC in 2018. 

He is passionate about computer sciences, and games. He has a Bachelor degree in computer sciences, and he is currently doing a Master in Data Sciences.

He is happy to assist AF with the website, the programing, the production of zoom, or any online issues. 

He also volunteers to set in and set down any technical equipment at the events or any equipment, and sometimes he is even a bartender!.

"Any questions about the sound, the recordings or the connections? Ask me!"

Kevin Surget

VALENTINA VANDERWAERDEN

Public Affairs Assistant

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Valentina is an NC State University graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science, concentration in international politics, and a minor in French. However, she began her undergraduate career at the American University of Paris, where she advanced her knowledge and love for the French language and culture for one year.

Besides chasing multiple leadership opportunities at NC State, Valentina has also served as a Public Affairs Intern for US Mission to NATO in 2021. With a wholehearted passion for international relations, she is steadfast in her mission to make a tangible and positive impact in the world with a career in law and national security.

"Working with AF presents the unique opportunity to remain connected with the French community, promote the importance of globalization, and learn from diverse perspectives at home in Charlotte, NC."

Valentina Vanderwaerden

DENYSE HANEY

Assistant to Treasurer

Born in Trois-Rivière Quebec, I was assistant to the Vice President of TAS for 10 years in Montreal, QC, Canada. There Denyse met and married her husband in 1973. She moved with him to California.

She worked at the Lycée Français in Los Angeles for 5 years. In 1985 she founded her own bookkeeping company in Los Angeles called “ D Haney Associates”. 

When she retired she volunteered and was the treasurer for Senior Gleaners in San Diego. In Sacramento she worked in the kitchen for special events for Children Home.

In order to keep her French, she joined Alliance Française when she  moved to Charlotte in 2013. Since 2018, she is volunteering to be the bookkeeper of the Alliance Française, and help maintain the accounts up to date.

Denyse is also volunteering to be in charge of the Carolina Pétanque in Charlotte where they meet every 3rd Saturday of the month.

"Meet me and play with me at Nevin Community Park!"

Denyse Haney