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Nearly 50 Years of Cultural and Creative Exchange

A Community Built on Resilience and Connection

WICE was established in 1978 by three American women who moved to Paris in 1976. After successfully establishing their own lives in a new country, they created a mission to support international women pursuing education, independence, and community.


Over the years, the organization has grown and evolved, reflecting a more open and connected world. While its roots lie in supporting women through continuing education, WICE has continually adapted to the changing needs of the international and local communities it serves. Today, WICE is a vibrant, inclusive community that embraces diversity, equity, and acceptance, welcoming people of all nationalities, genders, and backgrounds who value learning, cultural exchange, and meaningful connection.

Our History: Roots of Community

WICE began as Women in Continuing Education, founded by international women who believed that learning, creativity, and solidarity were essential tools for building a life abroad. They created a space for expats to find their footing, gain confidence, and build a new home together. Originally launched in a single classroom at what is now the American University of Paris, the organization quickly expanded as word spread and membership grew.

Over the decades, WICE continues to play a leading role in Paris’s anglophone cultural life.

WICE Milestones: Nearly 50 Years of Community

WICE Today: Your Home in Paris

As Paris changed, so did WICE. Today, that same spirit of welcoming the “newly arrived” drives everything we do. What began as an organization focused on continuing education for women gradually opened its doors more widely, becoming a space where people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life stages could come together to learn, exchange ideas, and build community. We are a 100% volunteer-run community where members help one another navigate life in the city through a wide range of classes, workshops, and events designed to foster learning, creativity, and connection:

  • Cultural Discovery: Expert-led museum visits and historic walking tours that reveal the hidden stories of Paris.
  • Creative Learning: Professionally taught classes in French, creative writing, photography, and the visual arts.
  • Meaningful Connection: Coffee mornings, social “Apéros,” and volunteer roles that turn strangers into a supportive family.


Equally central to WICE is the opportunity to get involved. Members and volunteers contribute their skills, ideas, and energy, helping shape the organization and ensuring it remains welcoming, dynamic, and community-driven.

Whether you are newly arrived in Paris, have lived here for years, or are a native Francophone curious about international perspectives, WICE offers a space to connect, participate, and belong.

Board of Directors

Treasurer

Originally from Kazakhstan, Gul’sum is a vibrant member of the WICE community who moved to Paris in 2019. After a very successful career in corporate finance, she turned her attention to meaningful new commitments and—among other things—discovered WICE and became a volunteer.

As a finance professional, Gul’sum has been bringing her skills and knowledge to help better organize and codify WICE’s finance processes. And she has been a fountain of ideas for organizing new events. Her involvement reflects WICE’s spirit of community and volunteerism.

Gul’sum Abdukadyrova

French Liaison Officer

Born in Bordeaux, where she grew up and studied finance and management, Elisabeth started her career in the wine business before moving to Paris to work as an executive in the Industry. 
After 15 years in Paris, she  went back to her passion, oenology, by passing the WSET (Wine  and Spirit Education Trust) Diploma  in London.  As a certified WSET Educator, she’s  been training other wines/spirits lovers and also collaborates with the Bordeaux Wine School as well as the  BNIC  (Bureau Interprofessionel du Cognac), for courses or events.

Elisabeth also loves cinema, cultural life in Paris, traveling, and making new friends. She joined WICE to practice English, and to be a more active member. She has been on the Board of Directors since 2024. 

Elisabeth Iriart

Director of WICE Languages

Jay has been a full-time Paris resident since 2017, and a member of WICE since 2018. Before that she was founding partner and creative director of a boutique advertising agency specializing in direct marketing.  She attended Barnard College, majoring in American and English literature, and has a passionate interest in cinema, books, and fiberart.

Jay van Wagenen 

President

Born in New York and raised in France, Pam received her Bac after spending a year at Sciences Po, Paris. She moved to Washington, DC and attended the Foreign Service School at Georgetown University. After working in publishing at Random House and Condé Nast, she then went on to a career in Special Events, working at Macy’s and then for several New York City museums in their Development departments. In 2004, Pam moved back to Paris, to live with her now-husband Jean-Paul Combastet. She serves on the Board of the American Aid Society and is the incumbent AARO secretary.

Pamela Combastet

Administrative Officer

Mike is WICE’s Administrative Officer, where he oversees contracts, préfecture interactions, material management, and WICE’s insurance policies.

Born and raised in the Detroit, Michigan area, Mike lived in Michigan his entire life until moving to Paris, France in 2023. He attended Michigan Technological University and Michigan State University, and completed a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications in 1981 from MSU. He worked in a family business for a several years before moving on to a career in international transportation as an export specialist. He retired several years before moving to France, and joined WICE soon after. 

Mike Quinting

Team Leader for the Volunteer Department

Michael is the Team Leader for the Volunteer Department. He oversees all aspects of volunteer on boarding and subsequent training.
Having recently retired from Corporate America, Michael and his husband, Eric, moved to Saint Germain-en-Laye in October 2024. Originally from the Midwest, Michael is a New Yorker by choice, having spent most of his adult life. He was very active in the community, and most recently served on the Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign. He was also part of the Red Bucket Brigade for Broadway Cares, and served on the Hospitality Committee at his church. Michael is excited to be working with WICE and helping to support all the great programs!

Michael Westwood

Vice President for Programs

Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, David lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 30 years before moving to Paris in 2024 with his wife Elaine, after retiring in 2023 from a career in information technology. He also lived in Germany and Brussels.

David’s hobbies include photography, bicycle touring, cooking and getting out to see and enjoy as much of Paris and France as possible.

David O’Brien

Secretary

Susan hails from Wellington, New Zealand via London.  She loves hosting BBQs and aspires to run a half marathon… one day. When she isn’t busy trying to drain the EU’s wine lake, she writes short stories, practices her downward dog and looks after five demanding cats. She is passionate about history and handicrafts, and she is an avid reader who frequents the WICE Café Littéraire book group meetings. She has been the Secretary of the Board of Directors since 2024.

Susan Townson

Membership Ambassador

Kate is a Membership Ambassador at WICE, and she has been on the Board of Directors since 2023.

Like Josephine Baker, Kate has deux amours: living in Paris but always a New Yorker. In her life, she’s been a singer, an executive assistant, a bookstore manager, a supernumerary, lived in a cabin (chop wood, carry water), a hat check, une femme de ménage, an actress, and now—after years of quilting—she’s teaching herself to sew. In all of it, there has been one consistent element, the people in her life. And she is thankful there are lots of wonderful ones here in WICE.

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