A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, Adèle Boufford Baker, is a second generation Franco-American and proud of her heritage. She attended Rivier University and the University of New Hampshire. Raised in a bi-lingual family, her love for the French language continued at the Berlitz School of Languages in Boston where she would later become the Director of The Translation Service.
Returning to Manchester, she substituted in French and Spanish in local High Schools and taught English as a Foreign Language to newly arrived French Canadians.
She was a partner in Baker, Pappas & Dastin, Marketing and Public Relations. As Director of Development at Notre Dame College, she coordinated all fundraising and planned giving activities. From 1994 to 2004, Adèle served as Executive Director of The Centre Franco-Américain, a French cultural and heritage organization. In 1997 she was named Franco American of the Year. She is also a member of PI DELTA PHI, the French National Honor Society and the recipient of La Medaille d’Or du Richelieu.
In 2001 she became Honorary Consul of France and has been proud to represent the French government in New Hampshire to this day.
In 2004 the Alliance Française of Manchester was reinstated, after being inactive for 40 years. Bringing back the AF to her city was a tribute to her mother, who had been a member for many years. Adèle also collaborated on the Quebec 400 (1604-2004), the founding of Quebec, and served on The Champlain Committee to erect a commemorative plaque on the banks of the St. Lawrence River depicting the cities and towns in New England where the French Canadians settled at the turn of the 20th Century.
She volunteers in her city serving on the Boards of Directors of Catholic Medical Center, The Manchester Community Music School, The Gilbert French Language Foundation, The Holy Cross Family Learning Center, The Palace Theatre Advisory Board and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
In 2008 President Sarkozy named her Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite.