{"id":271,"date":"2025-06-04T23:04:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T23:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/13.93.50.226\/sophie\/?page_id=271"},"modified":"2025-06-07T18:06:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T18:06:19","slug":"people-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sophiedesert.com\/index.php\/people-2\/","title":{"rendered":"People"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>French American Chamber of Commerce<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">During my time as an IT executive, I was actively involved in networking, particularly through the French-American Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta and the Southeast (FACC). It was at one of these events that I met Katherine, the executive director. As a half-French, half-British professional, I instantly connected with Katherine, herself British and married to a Frenchman, and we quickly became friends.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sophiedesert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FACC-ATL.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:500px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">At the FACC\u2019s Beaujolais Nouveau celebration in November 2023, someone asked if I\u2019d consider joining the board. Until then, I hadn\u2019t realized there <em>was<\/em> a board of advisors. Curious, I began asking around about what the role involved. Given my deep engagement with the French business community, it felt like a natural next step. So I ran and was elected in January 2024 to a two-year term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sophiedesert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FACC-Beaujolais-Nouveau-175.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:900px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In this role, I\u2019ve had the opportunity to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u2013 Lead Community Initiatives like the <em>French Women in Business<\/em> group, hosting monthly meetups to build a supportive network for French expat women working in Atlanta.<br>\u2013 Promote Team Building as I co-organized a Climate Fresk [link to climate fresk web page] workshop as a team-building experience for the board.<br>\u2013 Enhance Visibility by supporting FACC\u2019s social media and marketing efforts to expand its visibility and community outreach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Being part of the FACC board allows me to give back to a community that\u2019s been instrumental in my journey, and to help shape its future for others. If you are interested in becoming a member, let me know and check out the website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facc-atlanta.com\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sophiedesert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FWIB.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/sophiedesert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FWIB-Video.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:64px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Human Equation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p>Attending TEDWomen 2023 was so inspiring that I made it a priority to attend TEDNext 2024 (learn more about this rebrand <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/attend\/conferences\/tedwomen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>). It was at TEDNext that I met Kristy, a TEDx speaker and curator of TEDxWarrington. She invited me to a relaxed post-conference meetup with fellow TEDx organizers and TEDNext attendees. Some even joined us from the UK via Zoom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gathering was informal but energizing, especially for an extrovert like me! That\u2019s where I met Andrew, the creator of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehumanequation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Human Equation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sophiedesert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/HumanEquationBlackBackground.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:750px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Human Equation is a powerful initiative focused on elevating the importance of human connection in our increasingly digital world. It encourages people to value deep, meaningful relationships, reminding us that while technology offers speed and efficiency, true fulfillment often comes from slowing down and connecting with others. Backed by research on mental and physical well-being, The Human Equation is building a global community of individuals, professionals, and organizations dedicated to strengthening human bonds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since meeting Kristy and Andrew, I\u2019ve joined several online gatherings with connection specialists from both the UK and the US. We\u2019ve shared our experiences, what connection means to us, where it\u2019s missing, and how we can cultivate it locally and globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sophiedesert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/HumanEquationMeeting.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re curious about this growing movement or want to get involved, feel free to reach out. I\u2019d love to share more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:64px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\"><strong>Social Sundays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It all started over coffee. On February 11th, 2025, I was chatting with my friend Andrea when we both had the same realization: most networking or dating events just aren\u2019t designed to foster genuine connections.They often feel forced, overwhelming, and\u2014let\u2019s be honest\u2014draining. Especially if you&#8217;re more introverted, making meaningful conversation in a loud, crowded room can feel nearly impossible. So we decided to do something about it. What if we created a different kind of event? One that&#8217;s open to everyone\u2014not just networkers or daters\u2014and built intentionally to encourage real, refreshing human connection. And so, Social Sundays was born. We chose a simple, consistent rhythm: the last Sunday of each month. Each event features thoughtfully curated activities that make it easier to meet people, break the ice, and have conversations that actually matter. Want to follow along? Join the journey<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/socialsundaysatl\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> @socialsundaysatl<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sophiedesert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SocialSundayPilot.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>French American Chamber of Commerce During my time as an IT executive, I was actively involved in networking, particularly through the French-American Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta and the Southeast (FACC). It was at one of these events that I met Katherine, the executive director. As a half-French, half-British professional, I instantly connected with Katherine, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-271","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sophiedesert.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sophiedesert.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sophiedesert.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sophiedesert.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sophiedesert.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=271"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sophiedesert.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/271\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sophiedesert.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}