Barbara Bouquegneau
President and Executive Director

Barbara has worked at the French Library for over 27 years. She holds two Master’s degrees, one in electrical engineering from her native Belgium, where she pursued research in bio-medical engineering, and another in film production from Boston University, that led her to produce a number of independent films. Barbara has been at the very heart of the French Library her whole career: from Film Assistant to President & Executive Director, Barbara has evolved through various positions such as Cultural Programs Manager, Director of Programs and Communications, and Chief Operating Officer. Her career has enabled her to forge many friendships and ties in the local Francophone and Francophile communities, as well as expand the French Library's list of cultural and business partners.
Barbara has represented the Alliance Française of Boston & Cambridge and was on the board of the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA for many years where she chaired the One Book One Federation committee, whose mission is to support French literacy throughout the United States. An avid reader, writer, visual artist and film buff, Barbara often presents the French Library’s monthly ciné-club and relishes discussions with each enthusiastic audience. She will also gladly warm up our members for French karaoké singing!
Barbara believes that the Francophone world is worth exploring in all its different cultures, and that this exploration makes one a better citizen of the world. She wishes that visitors of the French Library experience the welcome embrace of French and Francophone cultures together, as a community, and that they come out of their visit with something they learned.