2026 Awards for French Citizens in the Eastern United States : Excellence and Solidarity Take Center

On Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Consulate General of France in New York hosted the fourth edition of the Awards for French Citizens in the Eastern United States. The event brought together institutional representatives, elected officials, entrepreneurs, researchers, artists, and community leaders to celebrate the vitality of the French presence across the Atlantic.
 

Between inspiring personal journeys, professional achievements, and solidarity, the ceremony offered a compelling demonstration of the spirit of sharing that drives the French community in the eastern United States—“a Gallic spirit ” as Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul General of France in New York, put it. “Moving abroad means confronting different realities ” added Hervé Heyraud, founding president of the publishing company behind lepetitjournal.com, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year with the publication of a Petit Guide de New York.
 

 

Rose Barbantan, a Free-Spirited Dancer in New York

The ceremony opened with a moment of grace. The Public Award, presented by Banque Transatlantique, went to choreographer and dancer Rose Barbantan, who shared her journey in a video reflecting the energy of her adopted city.

 

Having arrived in New York eight years ago, following what she describes as “a coincidence” and driven by the desire “to create and dance freely” the young artist spoke about the demands of the artistic world. “Being an artist today is a challenge.” Working with three companies while combining artistic discipline with teaching, she is already preparing for her next chapter: a tour in Paris from November 6 to 7, 2026.
 

Renaud De Tilly, the American Dream That Makes France Shine

French influence took on an American-dream dimension through Renaud De Tilly, founder of De Tilly Real Estate, who received this new award presented by MSGL by Jade Fiducial.
 

 

The entrepreneur reflected on the “long road” he has traveled since founding his company: “I was born on February 1, when I created my company.” Proof that success also means overcoming numerous obstacles, Renaud reaffirmed his ambition for the years ahead: to further develop his role as a “lifestyle expert” in Paris, Miami, and New York, “where I am going to launch a major recruitment campaign for French-speaking agents.”

 

Alexia Sibony, Putting AI at the Service of People

The same pursuit of human impact can be found in the work of Alexia Sibony, CEO of Loyalbee.ai and recipient of the Social and Humanitarian Award, presented by the Caisse des Français de l’étranger. Faced with the rapid growth of technology, she takes a clear-eyed view of her innovations in digital health: “They are only tools, and they will never replace human beings.”
 

Explaining the identity of her company, she compares her approach to “a bee that works quietly but builds a hive,” driven by “a passion for care and for people.” Her goal is to use digital technology to “enhance therapists’ capabilities” while maintaining connections with patients.
 

Juliette Fisbein, A Collective Effort to Help Women Who Have Experienced Violence

One of the evening’s highlights focused on the fight against injustice and support for women who have experienced violence. Recognized with the Women Empowerment Award, presented by Carexpat, for her work at the helm of Women4Women in Brooklyn, Juliette Fisbein shared the event that inspired her calling. “I met Fathema seven years ago, and she brought an injustice to light that deeply affected me. That was the turning point.” Emphasizing the importance of solidarity, Juliette Fisbein stressed that everyone can contribute to this collective effort by choosing to “make donations ” putting their “expertise to work ” or simply “contributing their time.”
 

Fathema, who attended the ceremony and is now a member of the organization’s board, spoke movingly about the lasting effects of trauma: “It can destroy your entire life.” Addressing survivors with a message of hope and dignity, she stressed the need to rebuild “step by step.” After overcoming these experiences and working in pediatric care, she embodies the project’s tangible success: “I am very proud to be an example today.”

Josephine Pedone, Enterprise Sales Manager at Delta Air Lines, and Patrick du Tertre

Patrick du Tertre, Preserving the French-American Bond Through Memory

The duty to preserve historical memory also resonated strongly through Patrick Du Tertre, co-founder of The French Will Never Forget, who received the Lifting Up Legacy Award. Recalling the diplomatic tensions of 2002–2003, a period when “my wife put down the New York Post, whose headline read “The French Forget”  Patrick turned this perceived injustice into a force for strengthening French-American friendship.
 

A message shared by Delta Air Lines, sponsor of this award category, which has developed a unique initiative highlighting American World War II veterans in Normandy. “This French-American bond will always be sacred to me ” Patrick Du Tertre said. His organization has also published a book to support its work.

 

Leïla Bessila, Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists

Astrophysicist Leïla Bessila, co-founder of Projet Matilda, received the Education Award, presented by FASNY. The young scientist, based in Chicago, reaffirmed her commitment to equal opportunity: “to show that science is accessible to everyone.”
 

Through the creation of mobile spaces and programs combining “sports and science,” her ambition remains “to inspire young people to pursue careers” by simply awakening “their curiosity.” “There are few female role models in science, and I hope I can inspire other young girls to pursue this path ” she explained during an interview with Damien Bouhours, Editorial and Partnerships Director at lepetitjournal.com.

 

Joseph and Nathaniel Raberin Holder, When Young People Join Forces

A similar energy drives twins Joseph and Nathaniel Raberin Holder, winners of the Youth Award, presented by LyFEL, for their organization Alley-Oop. Their initiative was born during a trip to Senegal: “We played with the young people using a broken basketball hoop.” That experience inspired them to create a basketball court at Village Pilote, an organization supporting disadvantaged young people. “They already have a good rugby team, but we would like them to have a basketball team as well—and why not, eventually, have players who go on to play in the NBA ? ” Joseph explained.
 

Having witnessed the determination of local young people who already want to “become entrepreneurs ” the two high-school students at the Lycée Français de New York continue to mobilize the community through a new fundraising campaign, noting that, as of today, “the court is still under construction.”
 

 

A Cocktail and a Promise at the Awards for French Citizens in the Eastern United States

Thanks to the teams at Angelina Paris and beverages provided by Maison de l’Occitanie in New York, this moment of sharing and networking, captured by photographer Anne Vandycke, continued with messages of admiration for the 2026 winners. But the date is already set for next year, when the community will once again come together to celebrate new talents who strengthen French-American ties and the spirit of solidarity within the French community of the eastern United States.