Pascale Richard’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to ideas, culture, and public service, shaped by an early passion for journalism and a deep attachment to the Franco-American relationship. After graduating from Sciences Po in 1981in “politique économique et sociale”, Richard has moved fluidly between journalism, cultural programming, and political engagement, building a career defined less by linear progression than by intellectual curiosity and civic purpose.

Richard arrived at Sciences Po after completing a master’s degree in law. At the time, she was already working as a journalist and viewed Sciences Po as the ideal training ground. “The program at Sciences Po was considered a very good way to become a journalist,” she recalled, particularly in an era when journalism schools in France were few and far between. The institution’s emphasis on broad intellectual foundations proved decisive. “It helps you organize your ideas and gives you a general culture, which is so important for a journalist,” she said.

After graduating, Richard moved to New York to pursue a master’s degree in journalism at New York University, becoming the first French student to enroll in a program then largely reserved for Americans. This choice reflected her long-standing fascination with American journalism and its tradition of in-depth investigative reporting. “That was really tempting for me,” she said, citing the ambition and rigor of U.S. newspapers as a formative influence.

Richard’s journalistic career spanned more than two decades and multiple fields. In France, she worked at Le Quotidien as a scientific reporter before moving into fashion journalism for Le Monde and Madame Figaro. She later continued freelancing from the United States, including for Fashion Daily News, a versatility she attributes to Sciences Po’s emphasis on broad intellectual training over narrow specialization.

In New York, Richard gradually expanded her focus from journalism to cultural and institutional leadership. After serving as editor of France-Amérique, she completed a certificate in philanthropy at NYU and became a Vice President at L’Alliance New York. In 2011, she joined the Lycée Français de New York, where she spent 15 years as Director of Cultural Events. There, she built what became a vibrant cultural center, organizing programming for students during the day and for the broader public in the evenings. One of her most enduring initiatives was the creation of an artist-in-residence program, launched 12 years ago and now central to the Lycée’s cultural identity.

Alongside her professional work, Richard has remained deeply engaged in public life. Since 2021, she has served as a conseillère des Français de l’étranger for New York, representing French citizens living in the tri-state area. In this unpaid, elected role, she acts as an intermediary between the French community and institutions such as the consulate, embassy, and National Assembly, addressing issues ranging from education and social services to reintegration in France. For Richard, this engagement is a natural extension of what she learned at Sciences Po: “a sense of commitment to the general interest and to public service.”

Today, after stepping back from her role at the Lycée, Richard has returned to personal writing while continuing her political activities. Reflecting on her path, she credits Sciences Po with instilling an enduring intellectual rigor. “I always want to know more, read more, learn more,” she said. Her advice to students and young graduates is simple but insistent: maintain high intellectual standards, stay curious, and participate actively in democratic life. “Voting is essential,” she emphasized. “It’s the only way you can express your voice.”

For Richard, that commitment to learning, culture, and civic engagement remains a lifelong pursuit. “There’s always something new to learn,” she said, echoing a lesson first rooted in her years at Sciences Po.