Anthere

I was born in Versailles (France). I grew up in Grenoble, and have been living since then in several French cities, as well as Antwerpen in Belgium and Tempe in Arizona.
I am an engineer in Agronomy (ENSAIA and also hold a DEA in Genetics and biotechnologies (INPL). I have spent a while in public research (INRA), working in flower plant genetic improvement, later in applied research, in microbiology, to study the feasibility of heavily polluted soil bioremediation. I spent some time in Tempe University (Arizona), following courses in computer science and civil engineering.
After a break to take care of my first two kids, I joined a small french firm, Quantix Agro, whose activity was related with decision tools, in finances, insurance, agriculture and agri-business. My part was in the agri-business, and I mostly worked to conceive decision-making tools in sustainable agriculture until 2006 when I born a third and last child
I settled as a freelancer in 2008 and have been since then. In 2017, I co-founded Wiki in Africa, a South Africa based association along with Iolanda Pensa and Isla Haddow-Flood.
As of mid 2025, I am 57, and live in Marseille. I work part time at Wiki in Africa as co-ED and I am a Wikimedian in residence at WIPO (since Jan 1st 2022).

I discovered Wikipedia in late 2001 and have been an editor since February 2002.
I first started editing only the English Wikipedia anonymously, then under the pseudonym Anthere. I joined the French Wikipedia when it had possibly 200 stubs. In English, I mostly focused in editing (in particular in Agricultural Sciences), while in the French Wikipedia, I also took a lot of time building the project, its rules, and the community.
I was elected to join the Board of Trustees of Wikimedia Foundation, and then served as its second Chair until July 2008. In 2008, I was honored to be made knight in the French National Order of Merit.
I co-founded Wikimedia France in 2004 and was its vice-chair for a while.
I have been a steward for over four years.
Late 2012, I decided it was time to move on. My focus since then has been diversity (or lack there of...). I co-create or participate to projects with the explicit goals of

• getting more African editors and more African-related content onto Wikimedia project or
• projects related to the Gender Gap or
• projects focusing on involving or bringing knowledge to people with poor or no internet connexion