Alliance Française d’Austin is governed by a 13 member volunteer Board of Directors and administered by a small, dedicated, part-time staff. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at volunteer@afaustin.org
2026 Board of Directors
Officer:
Alexis Aimard, President
Peter L'Heureux, Vice-President
Heather Barfield, Treasurer
Ariane Baer-Harper, Secretary
Board Members:
Christina Aimard
Richard Alexander
Samantha Chown Johnston
Meghan Elwell
Michael Kaspar
Kathy Keils
Meri Krueger
Mridula Rajiv
AFA President
Originally from Grenoble, France and now based in Austin, Alexis Aimard has a deeply personal relationship with language, culture, and international exchange. Married to a Mexican American woman and the proud parent of three trilingual children raised in English, French, and Spanish, he experiences daily the richness of living between cultures. This multicultural family life informs a strong belief in language as a powerful bridge between communities and generations.
Actively involved in Austin’s international community through organizations such as French Tech Austin, Austin–Angers Sister Cities, and the Austin Opera, Alexis is committed to promoting French language and Francophone culture in Central Texas through the Alliance Française d’Austin.
Staff
Laura Mortier-Smoter, School Coordinator
Originally from Paris, Laura grew up in a French-Polish family, which sparked her love for languages and cultures. She began teaching 20 years ago while completing her Master’s Degree in Intercultural Management and Translation (French, English, and Spanish), and quickly discovered a true passion for education.
As the school coordinator, she oversees class organization, supports both teachers and students, and helps create a positive and welcoming learning environment for everyone at the school.
Jordan Phillips, Business Support Manager
Jordan fell in love with all things French during a trip to the Côte d’Azur as a teenager and dreamed of one day living in France. She eventually went on to live in Paris full time for two years and then part time for 12 years.
Jordan has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a master’s degree in marketing and management from ESMOD Paris. She enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and their dog Marshmallow.
Eléonore Le Corvaisier, Instructor
Born and raised in Paris, Eléonore holds a Master’s degree in English Studies from the Sorbonne. She moved to the United States to study literature at the University of Illinois, where she taught French for three years, and has lived in Austin since 2011.
She is working at the Alliance Française because she loves meeting motivated students of all ages and backgrounds, and accompanying them as they grow into competent speakers and culture savvy travelers. Her work is done when the students can make bilingual jokes.
When she is not teaching Eléonore enjoys exploring caves with fellow Texas cavers, hiking, gardening and reading.
Élisabeth Vedrine, Instructor
Born and raised in Paris, Élisabeth studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts before moving to Austin in 1991. She has many years of experience teaching French and art to students of all ages, both in schools and through private instruction.
Known for her warm personality and sense of humor, Élisabeth creates fun and engaging classes, especially in conversation and pronunciation.
Outside the classroom, Élisabeth loves creating art, cooking healthy foods, and spending time outdoors enjoying nature.
Fanny Macé, Instructor
Born and raised in the Loire Valley, Fanny is a native French speaker with over a decade's experience teaching French to adults. She holds a Ph.D. in French Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Education from l'Université de Tours (France), and she has taught at multiple universities including UT-Austin, Harvard University, and Concordia College (Moorhead, MN).
Fanny lives in Austin with her American husband and their bilingual son, Noah, and she is most passionate about sharing her culture through language.
Isabelle Guthery, Instructor
Isabelle was born on the French Riviera and raised in Versailles. During her teenage years, she loved running in the garden of the Versailles Palace while listening to Baroque music played on the palace speakers.
She earned her master’s degree in Defense Economics from Panthéon-Assas University in Paris. Interested in linguistics, she studied and worked in Russia, Central Asia and Korea for nine years, where she learned local languages and cultures.
In 2016, she moved to Austin with her family.
During her spare time, Isabelle enjoys learning new languages (currently learning Farsi) and doing handiwork activities like gardening or knitting.
Isabelle Sambuis, Instructor
Originally from the Paris area, Isabelle holds degrees in Law and Human Resources Management. After moving to the United States in 2010, she began teaching French at the Alliance Française of Dallas and later in Austin, where she also helped students prepare for the AP French exam. In 2019, she proudly became a US citizen.
Her students describe her as determined and supportive, as she continuously strives for greater achievements. When she doesn’t teach French, she loves to stretch out her legs in yoga, show off her dance moves in Zumba classes, and draw in pastels. Isabelle can’t wait to introduce you to the beauty of the French language.
Marie-Agnès Brown, Instructor
Marie-Agnès was born and raised in Rouen, Normandy. She holds degrees in History and Linguistics as well as the DAEFLE certification to teach French as a foreign language.
She enjoys reading mostly Francophone literature, and one of her favorite writers is the Moroccan French writer: Tarek Ben Jelloul.
She loves traveling and went to various places in Europe, as well as in Sub-Saharan African Countries such as Senegal, Benin; and has also visited North African countries and Caribbean countries
When she is not teaching, she enjoys outdoor activities like walking and riding her bike.
Maryvonne Le Guilly, Instructor & Café Conversation Lead
Originally from Cholet in the Loire Valley, Maryvonne studied Liberal Arts and foreign languages at the University of Nantes before continuing her studies in Texas.
Passionate about travel and cultural exchange, she has visited many countries and values the connections language can create. Maryvonne says, “Through my travels, I have learned the importance of communication, tolerance and patience, having the opportunity to practice the languages I have studied.”
She has been teaching French and French culture to adults and children for over 15 years and loves seeing her students confidently communicate during their travels in France.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys jogging, cycling, hiking, and swimming.
Morgane Nasi, Instructor
Morgane is a native of Southwest France and spent most of her youth in the Bordeaux area, between vineyards and the ocean. She earned her master’s degree in literature from the Michel de Montaigne university in Bordeaux and then moved to Lyon, where she obtained her master’s in teaching French as a foreign language from the Lumières University.
After a few years, she got married, became an American citizen, and traveled across the United States, where she has been consistently teaching to government personnels.
Three years in Germany and two children later, she now happily lives in Texas. When she is not busy with work, children and well…life, she enjoys hiking, running, and learning new skills.