Our Mission

Alison  American living in NYC. Alison is a family mediator, working on divorce and custody cases. She lived in France for 3 years, had a French-speaking CP herself and so knows how meaningful CP relationships can be for language learning, cultural exchange and friendship. 

Amy American living in NYC. A graduate of Cornell, Amy is a practicing psychologist. She has worked with individuals of all ages and has done conflict resolution. In addition to being a Conversation Partner, Amy is providing individual therapy over the phone for a Hila student. 

Andrea American-French, University degree in International Relations; Launched a company in communications, marketing & event organization. More recently, Business Administrator for the American Church in Paris. Involved with Missions & Outreach at the American Cathedral promoting refugee causes. Interests include reading, music & travel. 

Ann American, Careers in both the pharmaceutical industry and Local Government Finance. Enjoys cooking, gardening, reading and all genres of music. 

Ann Marie American living in NYC. Background in graphic design and photography. Career as a designer, owning her own children’s brand and retail store for 10 years. Currently working for e-commerce clients on brand strategy, design, and voice, primarily with startups. Loves the idea of creating cultural learning relationships.

Barbara  American and French, Career in Marketing and Sales in the US. Career as a teacher, trainer and corporate coach in France. Likes walking, travelling, volunteering, outreach activities and reading. 

Carol  British and French, doctorate in History from the University of Oxford, career in international banking, currently Treasurer of the Paris affiliate of the Arts Society, involved in voluntary work. 

Elin Swedish, Human Resources professional and Executive coach. Worked globally in the private sector as well as NGOs such as Norwegian Refugee Council and International Justice Mission. Currently leading a Coaching Pilot program for Hila Initiative. 

Emer  English, studied law and became a diplomat, worked in Pakistan and is interested in the region, currently teaches English in Paris.

Emma   English, has lived in Italy, currently teaching English at two universities in Paris, an engineering school and a business school. 

Erin American, living in France. Background in the international fashion industry. Worked for Ralph Lauren in the US, and in France as the Directrice Commerciale for Marc Jacobs. Currently doing freelance program and project management. Cares deeply about helping women and has been a long-time supporter of "Women for Women International". 

Jenny American living in NYC. Career working behind the scenes in television, first as a journalist, and later on documentaries. Since retiring, volunteers for animal organizations and groups that work to further democratic values. 

Jill American, living in Florida, BA in History and Education and a Masters in English. Recently retired, she enjoys spending more time with her family, tutoring high school students, and reading.

Kate Irish living in France. University degrees in History and English Literature and a Master’s degree in Psychology, a qualified teacher of English as a Foreign Language. Currently a teacher at the British Council in Paris. 

Kathleen Retired American lawyer living in Paris. Professional background in law and diplomacy with a Masters in “Droit & Gestion des Affaires” from Université Paris-Dauphine. Worked as a lawyer in the Paris office of a US corporate law firm for 20 years. Board member and former President of AARO (Association of Americans Resident Overseas) and on the Board of AAWE (Association of American Women in Europe).

Kiana Iranian, currently attending university in Istanbul where she is studying Business logistics management. Fluent in Persian, Turkish and English. 

Laurie American living NYC. A full-time clinical psychologist specializing in mood and anxiety disorders. Active in supporting women’s causes and attracted to Hila Initiative because we are taking definite, direct action.

Leslie  American living in France, worked in finance for several perfume companies in France and Business Manager of Redbook Magazine before leaving NY, has been on the boards of non-profit associations and has done extensive volunteer work. 

 Linette Scandinavian-American, Lived in Latin America until adult; Masters in Sociology of Conflict in French and Masters of Int’l Relations, Civil Society Dev in English; founded NGO ArtsEqualsLife for self-growth and entrepreneurship of P’uhrépecha women in Mexico; worked as federal diplomatic liaison and as Executive Director of Marketing; currently a Cultural Business Consultant  

Lisa   American living in NYC.  University degree in Communications and photo-journalism from Boston University. Expertise in design, communications and technology.  Co-founder of an NY-based grassroots activist group to promote progressive values and support democratic candidates at all levels of public office. 

Liz  American living in France. Attended university at Smith and the U of Michigan, then got her law degree from U of Toledo. Worked as an attorney in medical malpractice, and defended hospitals in several birth trauma cases. She is now retired, but it thinking she did so too soon! 

Maddie American, university degree in Culture & Communication, worked for an international nonprofit association of professional astronomers, handling communication and organizing symposia around the world, experience teaching English. 

Mandana  Iranian, moved to France recently with her young family. She has a PhD in Health Psychology, was a practicing psychotherapist in Tehran, therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, Reality Therapy, Act and Schema Therapy. 

Mary  Indian, University degree in Chemical Engineering, Master's degree in Business Analysis and Consulting. Has 8 years of work experience in diverse fields including experience working in an English teaching centre in Paris. 

Meredith American, a well-known photographer: meredithmullins.artspan.com, background in television, film, and communications; Has travelled the world for many years. Afghanistan is her favourite country because of its physical beauty and incredibly generous people. 

Mehru Singaporean, living in France for 25 years. She works in IT sector managing projects. Her husband is French and she has 2 children in their early 20s. Mehru has been looking for a way to give back and found us!

Melinda American living in New York City and the Berkshire mountains, is a social justice foundation strategist moving towards retirement. With a BA in feminist theory and a doctorate in education, Melinda volunteers with refugees as well as youth literacy efforts while nurturing her soul through pottery, swimming, family, and friends.

Michelle Irish, 44, living in Dublin. Studied French and Sociology, then Business at university. Currently manages the training activity for a PR and Communications company in Dublin. 

Meryam  American, worked and volunteered for the Peace Corps for 10 years, travelled to Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iran and India; feels a deep connection to Afghanistan where one of her closest friends worked for 5 years, addicted to volunteer work. 

Molly   American moved to NYC in 2019 having lived most of her life near Boston, MA.  She retired in 2016 from the biotechnology industry where she worked on developing investigational medicines. While living in Boston, she volunteered with an organization called English for New Bostonians that supports immigrants from Central and South America with English literacy and finding jobs.  Molly speaks Italian.

Neva American living in NYC. A newly retired Ph. D. level Speech-Language Pathologist. Also held a management role for a school district, coordinating 50 therapists (Speech, Occupational, Physical, Psychological, Vision/Hearing). Experience working as an English as a Second Language teacher for both children and adults. 

Niambh Irish living in Dublin. University degrees in English and Theology and a Masters in Film Studies. Volunteered at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre for 3 years, participated in outreach programs in schools leading discussions about consent. Currently learning Arabic.

Niki Iranian, University degree in Philosophy. Currently attending the Sorbonne. Mentoring and assisting with Hila student applications. 

Ruth British-French. Held various posts in the music world in London, then joined British Airways as a flight attendant. In 1977, moved to Paris, worked in fashion and publishing. Recently, worked as a volunteer with the Parisien homeless.

Susan  American, living in New York City. Undergraduate degree in English Literature from U of Michigan and law degree from Brooklyn Law School. Had her own law practice for 30 years. Worked with the English Speaking Union in NYC, an association that helps immigrant improve their English.

Sylvie  French living in Paris. Fluent in English. A professional Shiatsu practitioner who has been working with pregnant women and midwives for 20 years. She trained midwives at l’Hôpital Cochin at Port Royal in Paris and prepares mothers and their partners for natural childbirths. Deeply interested in finding ways to support women in Afghanistan.

Zahra Iranian, moved to France recently with her family. She has a PhD in Science and Media Communications and is now a journalist writing for the Persian online magazine "Salamat News" (Health News)