“Every person can make a difference, and every person should try.”– John F. Kennedy |
2025 - 2026 WICE Board Candidates |
 | Gul'sum Abdukadyrova Gul'sum is the Team Leader in the Finance
Department, where she oversees the WICE's finance processes. She also
organizes Saturday morning coffees. 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 took some time off to discover what else life had to offer, and—among other things—discovered WICE. 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 walks and tours. Her involvement reflects WICE's spirit of community and volunteerism. |
 | Pamela Combastet 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. |
 | Peter Dull Peter
is the Team Leader in our Programs Department. He oversees the
planning, coordination, and execution of all WICE programs. A native Michigander from the USA, Peter is an oncology nurse by training, and has worked as such in New York City. He has lived in Paris with his husband since 2023 and spends much of his time thinking about his next meal and fussing at the potted plants on his balcony. His favorite animals are his two cats. |
 | Elisabeth Iriart 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 (professional or not) 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 from all over the world. She joined WICE last fall primarily to practice English, and then to be a more active member. She has been on the Board of Directors since 2024. |
 | Mike Quinting 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 in 2023, and joined WICE soon after moving here. |
 | Susan Townson 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. |
 | Jay van Wagenen Jay van Wagenen has been a full-time Paris resident since 2017. 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 has been a member of WICE since 2018. She served as the Vice
President from 2022 - 2025, and has been serving as the Director of WICE Languages since
2021. |
 | Michael Westwood Michael is the Team Leader for the Volunteer Department. He oversees all aspects of volunteer on boarding and subsequent training and consideration. Having recently retired from Corporate America—yay!—Michael and his husband, Eric, moved to Saint Germain-en-Laye, just outside of Paris, in October 2024. Originally from the Midwest, Michael is a New Yorker by choice, having spent most of his adult life living and working there. 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 they deliver! |
 | Kate Wolter 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. Kate is a Membership Ambassador at WICE, and she has been on the Board of Directors since 2023.  |
