Event report
Merci, Laure – A Heartfelt Farewell to Our Executive Director
It is never easy to bid farewell to a leader whose vision and dedication have profoundly shaped our community and mission.
We said au revoir (but never goodbye!) to our phenomenal Executive Director, Laure Paugam, at a surprise farewell that was every bit as special as her five years at the Chamber.
It was an evening of laughter, shared memories, and warm tributes — from our hosts, our Chairman Othmane CHAOUI, the French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet, our Team, Members, and friends who’ve watched the Chamber grow into a dynamic and engaging community under Laure’s steady and visionary leadership.
Under Laure’s watch, we grew from 80 to nearly 230 members. We went from the quiet of pandemic-era Zooms to a record 54 in-person events last year, rolled out digital tools, launched our flagship event #FrenchWeek, built business committees, and showed up at the table for high-level advocacy.
But more than that, Laure led with heart, humor, and a genuine belief in the power of community. She was the first to cheer us on — and the last to leave when things had to get done. She pushed for better systems, louder voices, and more meaningful connections. And through it all, she made the work feel purposeful — and fun.
We were also honored to be joined by H.E. Arnaud Suquet, French Ambassador to Kenya, who shared a warm tribute to Laure’s work and her role in strengthening ties across the French-Kenyan business ecosystem.
A big thank you to everyone who helped make the evening so special: Olivier Sabrié of RUBiS Energy Kenya for generously hosting us at Brioche Nairobi, Pernod Ricard for keeping the toasts flowing, and Caroline Englund, who steered the evening with charm and vigor.
To every guest who joined us — thank you for showing up and sending Laure off in true Chamber style.
Hats off to our incredible team — mercy ochieng, Catherine Achieng Alice Wameyo, and Brenda K. — for making every detail count and bringing the evening to life.
To Rafiki — thank you for leading with heart, for lifting others as you climbed, and for believing in the power of community. You leave behind not just milestones, but meaningful relationships and a legacy of growth, inclusion, and purpose.
Here’s to your next chapter — may it be as bold, brilliant, and impactful as the one you’ve just closed.
Merci infiniment.
