Co-Founder and First President
(April 14, 1946 - July 5, 2021)
Our 1st President and co-founder Jacques Brion envisioned an Alliance Française in the Miami Metro area vibrant and strong. He championed promoting the French Language and francophone cultures. Today, the Jacques Brion scholarship, established in his memory, offers free training to teachers, and classes to students.
Co-Founder
Co-founder Xavier Capdevielle, fought alongside Jacques Brion with the same will and energy to first open a French language school, which would become a fully accredited Alliance Française in 2018. He has continuously served as a Director on the Board, overseeing, since its foundation, the strategic direction of the organization.
President of the Board
After living and working in Los Angeles for over 20 years, my family have decided to relocate permanently to Miami. It's an honor for me to join the Board of the Alliance francaise de Miami Metro. I am confident that my 10 years of experience at the Alliance France de Los Angeles as President and Executive Director can benefit and help further grow the Miami Chapter.
Vice President
As an American lawyer whose life has been greatly enriched by living and working in Paris -- the world's most beautiful city -- for more than 30 years, it is a privilege to help promote friendly relations between the American and French people by furthering knowledge of the French language and culture in our community through the Alliance Française Miami Metro.
Vice Presidente
Entrepreneur and an active advocate of Franco-American relations, Florence firmly believes that language and culture create the strongest bonds. She seats on many Boards promoting Entrepreneurs from both sides of the Atlantic. She was an Anchor on TV in France and in the US and does interviews of French Startups in the US.
Treasurer
Secretary
Josh Markus is a shareholder at Carlton Fields who represents U.S. and non-U.S. companies in international and domestic corporate transactions. He is board certified in International Law by The Florida Bar. In his early life, he lived and worked in Brussels, Belgium, obtaining an LL.M. in international and comparative law and working for the European Economic Community. He is a fluent French speaker.
Board Member
Geneticist and biochemist. For the past 27 years living in the US she has been involved in several French non-profit Associations, in Arizona, then Florida. Through those, she organized French language classes for children and francophone cultural activities. Member of the security committee of the Consulate of France in Miami, she is also a volunteer coach in the “Special Olympics” association.
Board Member
Born in Canada from Swiss parents, educated in France, I am La Francophonie! An active promoter of the French language and francophone culture in the international community, in Paris, Panama and for the past 37 years in Miami, I was proud to follow
into the steps of the AFMM first President Jacques Brion, and serve as AFMM President from 2019 to March 2025.
Board Member
Pamela Fuertes is the Executive director of the "10,000 Small Businesses Program at Miami Dade College". She is passionate about impacting change through community engagement. She has received awards
including the National Order of Merit with the rank of “Chevalier " by the Republic of France and the World
Trade Center of Miami’s International Business Woman Award. A native of Nicaragua, Pamela is proud to call Miami home.
Board Member
Board Member
It is an honor to support the Alliance Française Miami Metro in its mission to promote the beautiful French language and francophone cultures. I serve as a Vice President of the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA and enjoy participating in a variety of multi-cultural activities.
Board Member
Catherine is honored to join the board. She served as President of the Alliance Française de Kansas City until 2024 and also held leadership roles, including President of São Paulo Accueil and VP of Buenos Aires Accueil. A "serial expat" with extensive international experience, she is fluent in French (native), Spanish, and English, with rusty Portuguese. She is eager, alongside the AFMM team, to foster cultural connections and to participate in creating a vibrant Alliance Française community here in Miami, for you!.