2013 40 Under 40 – A-F
Conor Allen
Current company /position: Cowen & Company, Director.
Age: 39.
Place of Birth: Canada.
Where you live: Manhattan.
First Job: Construction Laborer.
What it taught me: That I wanted to finish school.
Status: Single.
Family: None.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. Likes Brussels sprouts.
2. Speaks Irish.
3. Born in Canada.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Take a chance.
Conor was born in Canada and left for Ireland shortly afterward. He led an itinerant life, attending many different schools and living in many different counties before attending Queen’s University Belfast where he graduated with as Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering and later as a Master of Science in Computing. He joined a company in Belfast called Wombat that was in time acquired by the New York Stock Exchange. There Conor served as a vice president and global head of R&D. Conor now works in New York for Cowen & Company as a Director focused on trading technology.
Laura Armstrong
Current company /position: 4th-grade teacher at Lincoln-Titus Elementary School (Lakeland Central School District) in Crompond, NY.
Age: 36.
Place of Birth: Manhattan.
Where you live: Piermont, NY.
First Job: During my years at Boston College, I was a student telemarketer.
What it taught me: It taught me that I could never have a career in telemarketing or sales, as I dreaded Sunday nights when I would have to call people to ask for their money.
Status: Single.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I was the County Longford Social Club of New York’s Co-Woman of the Year (along with my sister, Marian) in 2007.
2. I have an uncanny ability to recall birthdays, anniversaries, and dates and details of both significant and trivial events, this to the point where people have wondered if I have hyperthymesia (I don’t!).
3. I can fit my fist in my mouth.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: I think it is of utmost importance to make choices in life that you can be proud of. I really like this quote that I came across recently…”Do something now that will make the person you’ll be tomorrow proud to have been the person you are today!”
Laura Armstrong is the daughter of Gabriel and Mary (Prunty) Armstrong, both natives of Longford. Laura is the youngest of four children – Gerard, Marian, and Michael, who tragically lost his life in the World Trade Center. Together with family and friends, Laura helped establish The Michael J. Armstrong Memorial Foundation in 2002. The foundation continues to host a golf outing each spring and auction each fall, benefiting a scholarship in Mike’s name at their alma mater, Loyola School in Manhattan, as well as his alma mater, Fordham University. Laura is extremely proud of the foundation’s accomplishments and how it has enabled her to keep Mike’s name and spirit alive, while impacting future generations. Laura is also the President of Loyola School’s Alumni Association and on the Advisory Committee at Cristo Rey New York High School.
Clancy Boylan 
Current company /position: Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law/Associate.
Age: 29.
Place of Birth: Kingston, Pennsylvania.
Where you live: Kingston, Pennsylvania.
First Job: Cook at my father’s Pub. And by cook I mean I worked the fryer.
What it taught me: I better study hard.
Status: Single.
Family: Abigail McElroy Faett – Fiancé
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I was in Sports Illustrated.
2. Feb. 28th will be the third time my parents’ restaurant has hosted the Wolfe Tones.
3. I am marrying a defense lawyer.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Find a profession you are passionate about. With passion, comes much success.
Clancy Boylan is a trial lawyer at the law firm of Fellerman & Ciarimboli. He is a 2012 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law. While at Duquesne, he was recognized as one of the top 16 mock trial advocates in the country. In 2011, Clancy won the American Association for Justice (AAJ) National Mock Trial Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University and received his MBA from Wilkes University. Clancy serves as a board member of the Boylan Foundation, and coaches the Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School’s Mock Trial Program.
Edward Braunstein
Current company /position: New York State Assemblyman.
Age: 31.
Place of Birth: Queens.
Where you live: Bayside.
First Job: Legislative Assistant.
What it taught me: As a legislative assistant at the New York State Assembly I had the opportunity to observe how government worked from an inside perspective. Over time I came to learn that those individuals who had success in politics usually had two qualities. They had the ability to develop long term relationships and could be trusted by their friends.
Status: Married.
Family: Stephanie Braunstein.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I am a member of the New York City Polar Bear Club.
2. I experienced an earthquake on the East Coast and West Coast on the same day.
3. My great-grandfather briefly played for the New York Yankees.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: The advice I would give to any person interested in a career in politics is to volunteer on a campaign to get first-hand experience, since not everything can be learned from a book.
Edward Braunstein was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2010 to represent the 26th District. Assemblyman Braunstein has introduced bills to cap the increase on market values for co-ops and condos; prevent sex offenders from residing within 500 feet of a school; fight elder abuse; provide tax and rent relief to seniors, and require campuses to accurately report and notify local authorities of on-campus violent crimes and missing persons. His bills signed into law include the banning of so-called “bath salts,” and protecting New Yorkers from fraudulent attorneys by making the unlicensed practice of a law a felony. He attended the University at Albany, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He passed the bar exam in February 2009 and is currently licensed to practice law in New York State.
Aine Brolly
Current company /position: VP Business Development, Invest Northern Ireland.
Age: 36.
Place of Birth: Derry.
Where you live: San Francisco.
First Job: First paid job was as a young singer & harpist.
What it taught me: Confidence on the stage and access to a whole new world.
Status: Married.
Family: Ruairí (husband), Ruairi Óg (4 years old).
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I was an excruciatingly shy child but no one believes me when I tell them that.
2. I was a professional opera singer for a number of years, one of the highlights of which was being coached by Kiri te Kanawa at the Solti Academy in Italy in 2005. My parents Anne and Francie were also professional singers and musicians.
3. My fondest memories are of the many summers I spent learning Irish at the Gaeltacht in Donegal.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Don’t start out in a comfortable job, you might just get used to it.
Áine joined the Invest NI West Coast team as VP Business Development 12 months ago and relocated from Belfast to San Francisco with her husband and young son. She has extensive experience of working with both global enterprises and start-ups and specializes in assisting U.S. companies establish successful operations in Northern Ireland. Prior to joining Invest NI, Áine was a Director for Penna plc, a London based Global HR services group where she was responsible for all of the company’s executive recruitment activities. A graduate in Law from Queen’s University Belfast, Áine also holds a Masters in Opera Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. She has a strong interest in politics, history, music and the arts.
Thomas Condon, Jr.
Current company /position: Reyes Kurson/Attorney.
Age: 38.
Place of Birth: Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Where you live: Chicago, Illinois.
First Job: Newspaper carrier at the age of eight.
What it taught me: People may doubt your ability but anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
Status: Married.
Family Elizabeth (Spouse) Thomas, Lauren, William (Children).
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I can play the Tuba.
2. I took Irish Dance Lessons (before Riverdance)
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Listen more than you talk and be true to your convictions.
Tom was raised and lives in an Irish Catholic enclave in the City of Chicago with his wife and three children. His great-grandfather and namesake emigrated from Longstone, Cullen, Co. Tipperary in the early 1900s to Chicago. He is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Preparatory, the University of Iowa, and DePaul University College of Law. Tom worked full time for Waste Management, Inc. while attending law school. He followed his forefathers and became a civil servant as an attorney for the City of Chicago in the Department of Buildings. He has since developed a successful litigation practice that includes representation of individuals, Fortune 500 corporations and municipalities in matters involving personal injury, licensing and regulatory issues, construction defects, contract disputes, mechanics liens, product liability, land use and planning, and transportation. He is active in the community, volunteers for his parish, St. Barnabas, and the Archdiocese of Chicago. Also, he is a member of the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago.
John Cremins
Current company /position: Cobham plc/Director for Department of Defense Programs.
Age: 38.
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York.
Where you live: Ashburn, Virginia.
First Job: Officer, United States Navy (SEAL)
What it taught me: Leadership, integrity, teamwork and the importance of one’s reputation.
Status: Married.
Family: Melissa (wife), John Jr. (Jack) (son).
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I am a second generation American, my grandmother, who immigrated from Ireland in 1928, is 103 and still lives by herself in Brooklyn, NY.
2. The first time I went Skydiving, I was instructed by two guys from the U.S. Navy SEAL Leap Frogs.
3. I grew up playing Water Polo for the Hudson Valley Team.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Listen, take notes and do not hesitate to ask questions.
Born in Brooklyn, John J. Cremins graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May, 1998. Ensign Cremins entered BUDS/Training and joined the elite Navy SEALS. He participated in multiple, high-level overseas deployments and received numerous commendations and honors during his tenure with the Navy. After his Navy career, Mr. Cremins started a successful career in investment banking on Wall Street. In March, 2008, he left the financial services industry to assume a senior position in a major defense contracting firm in Washington, D.C. He continues his volunteer involvement with military support groups. Mr. Cremins resides in Ashburn, Virginia with his wife, Melissa, and son, Jack.
Kevin Eoghan Cronin
Current company /position: U.S. Army/Captain.
Age: 32.
Place of Birth: Norwalk, CT.
Where you live: Columbus, GA.
First Job: Inner-city Youth Camp Counselor.
What it taught me: The value of mentorship.
Status: Single.
Family: Eugene and Christina (Parents); Brian, Tim, Brendan, and Deirdre (twin sister) (Siblings).
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I’ve lived in an Afghan village.
2. I will be the “Man of Honor” at my twin sister’s wedding.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Set goals, be persistent, stay positive, treat everyone with respect, and stay close to your family and friends.
Kevin Eoghan Cronin was born in Norwalk, CT to Eugene and Christina Cronin. Kevin has three older brothers (Brian, Tim, and Brendan) and an older twin sister (Deirdre). Kevin attended the United States Military Academy, where he played varsity lacrosse.
After graduating in 2003, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Kevin has been deployed four times – twice each to Afghanistan and Iraq. Kevin was recently selected as a U.S. Special Operations Command Legislative Affairs Fellow and will attend Johns Hopkins University this fall. Kevin is currently a captain and stationed at Fort Benning, GA.
Brian Doherty
Current company /position: Boston Building Trades Building Pathways and All Dorchester Sports League/Nonprofit Coordinator.
Age: 33.
Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts.
Where you live: Boston, Massachusetts.
First Job: My sister and I shared a paper route, when I was 9.
What it taught me: Every morning our parents made sure we were up and prepared to deliver our newspapers. I knew that no matter what task I took on, my parents would be there to support me. I realized the importance of effort, but their encouragement taught me to be confident in the fact that I always had a support system. This in turn taught me the importance of being supportive of others.
Status: Single.
Family: Parents Hugh and Bridget Doherty; siblings: Mary, John, Joanne, Eileen, Sheila, Paul and Neil.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. One of eight children fortunate enough to grow up in a home full of love, affection, direction and support. It is because of those beginnings that I work to provide resources and support to others on a daily basis.
2. I was taught from a young age that it is important to do what is right by people, to treat them with respect and to empathize with their situations. I take this with me every day I leave the house, because I firmly believe that we are given the choice to do nothing with our time or to work toward solutions. I choose the latter.
3. I believe this mission takes a team effort and I am part of a phenomenal team made up of caring, compassionate, hard-working individuals. This award is a perfect opportunity to thank all that are a part of the mission of social and economic justice. Thank you to my family, friends, Laborers Local 223, and larger family in Labor and progressive movements for all that you do to support and inspire me.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Figure out what is important to you; pursue it with passion. From there, focus on the team and the mission. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you, encourage you and inspire you; do your best to do the same for them.
Brian Doherty is a lifelong resident of Dorchester, a diverse, working-class neighborhood in Boston. He started his career as a laborer, while working his way through college. He is now a community organizer working toward social and economic justice. As a union organizer, he serves as liaison between building trades unions and progressive social and political campaigns. Recently, he served as a leader on Elizabeth Warren’s successful campaign for Senate. He oversees the Building Pathways program, which provides a career path for low-income Greater Boston residents to union construction. He coordinates the All Dorchester Sports League-which provides academic, athletic, fitness and nutrition support to youth.
Rosemary Dooley
Current company /position: Partner, McCormick & Dooley PLLC.
Age: 38.
Place of Birth: Dublin.
Where you live Manhattan.
First Job: Legal Assistant.
What it taught me: The importance of good teamwork in ensuring a successful outcome.
Status: Single,
Family: Parents Rose and Peter Dooley (deceased). Brothers: John Dooley, Thomas Dooley, Joseph Dooley (deceased), Peter Dooley; Sisters: Mary Yeoman, Geraldine Dooley, Christine Mullin, Grainne Dooley, Angela Hussami, Catherine Dooley.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I have completed eight marathons, seven NYC marathons and one Dead Sea Marathon in Jordan.
2. I am a rugby and tennis fanatic.
3. I come from a family of eleven children, seven girls and four boys.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Pay close attention to the details but always keep your eye on the big picture.
Rosemary Dooley grew up in Monasterevin, a small town in Co. Kildare. She graduated with an LL.B from the School of Law at Trinity College Dublin and completed her LL.M at Cambridge University. She subsequently moved to New York City and worked as a legal assistant, while studying for and passing the New York Bar Exam. She worked as a corporate attorney at two Manhattan law firms, Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler LLP and Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, before co-founding the law firm McCormick & Dooley PLLC with immigration lawyer, Barbara McCormick. At McCormick & Dooley, Rosemary represents individuals and companies in various aspects of corporate law, including corporate structure and formation, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters. She is also qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales. She is a keen runner and has completed several NYC marathons to raise funds for one of her favorite charities, Concern Worldwide U.S.
Liana Doyle
Current company /position: Hyde Leadership Charter School.
Age: 32.
Place of Birth: USA.
Where you live: New York City.
First Job: Teacher with Teach For America.
What it taught me: Patience, perseverance, and the importance of passion for what you do.
Status: Married.
Family: Husband Josh Doyle, daughter Eliza Doyle (3).
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I baked my first cake this year.
2. I painted my kitchen to match my favorite hand towels.
3. At one point I had nine pierces.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Don’t be discouraged when things don’t go according to plan because they rarely do.
Liana Doyle has lived within a seven block radius of where she grew up for her entire adult life. In her downtime, she enjoys reading, writing, running, and visiting Turtle Pond.
Kieran Dwyer
Current company /position: ERA Realty/Associate Broker.
Age: 31.
Place of Birth: Bronx.
Where you live: Woodlawn, Bronx.
First Job: Paperboy, 10 years old.
What it taught me: It taught be to be responsible and trustworthy, knew that if I worked that I can get what I want.
Status: Single.
Family: Family of six, Father Michael Dwyer, Mother Madeline and three siblings, older Brother Noel, and sisters Kathleen and Sheila Dwyer.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I have a twin sister Kathleen
2. I love to listen to Classical Music.
3. Avid sports fan. Passion is NY Yankees.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: The best advice I can give to someone starting out is to be patient, learn the product at hand, it will help you manage your time better to put forth the hard work.
Kieran Dwyer was born and raised in the Bronx by wonderful parents, Mike and Madeline Dwyer. I had a terrific childhood, spending time with my siblings, having fun and staying active in sports. I attended Cardinal Spellman HS and graduated with an Associates degree at Lehman college. I started my career in real estate at early age and knew then “sky was the limit” for me. Hobbies include attending Yankees/Knicks games, going to the beach, spending time with family and investing in real estate.
Brian Egan
Current company /position: Egan & Golden, LLP Attorneys at Law/Partner.
Age: 38.
Place of Birth: Queens, NY.
Where you live: Patchogue, NY.
First Job: More of a early legal life lesson from my grandfather when I was a child.
What it taught me: “My Grandfather was an attorney, that typical dinnertime Irish barrister, with a voice that filled the room and dominated the table. He always taught me to think about what I was going to say, fully commit to the argument and stick with it under the most wilting of cross-examinations. What that taught me was to be prepared and not be intimidated. He graduated from St John’s Law fifty years before I did, and I still called him up for coursework advice.
Status: Married.
Family: Jennine Egan (wife).
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I love the topic of the American Revolution, and even had my undergraduate history thesis published
2. For an Irish American, I have a strong affinity for English Bulldogs
3. As Fife Major, I once led a Fife & Drum Corps in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Strictly observe the proverb: “Do right and fear no man!” It will give you the confidence to answer questions and tackle problems head on free from doubt or suspicion.
Brian T. Egan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in History from Misericordia University. He was graduated from St. John’s University School of Law. His practice is concentrated in civil litigation, business law, and municipal law. He is routinely involved in cases which are of major media interest, and has been involved in cases featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes and reported in the New York Times, Newsday, New York Post and the New York Law Journal. Mr. Egan is a two-term past chairman of the Suffolk County Bar Association’s Professional Ethics and Civility Committee, Chairman of the Municipal Law Committee, and was appointed to serve as a member of the Bar Association’s Grievance Committee and Judicial Screening Committee. He has also been appointed by various Justices of the New York Supreme Court to serve as a Referee and Receiver in a variety of complex commercial, corporate and real estate matters. Mr. Egan is currently Special Counsel to Hon. Joseph Sawicki, Jr., the Comptroller of Suffolk County. He is the Village Attorney for the Incorporated Villages of Patchogue and Mastic Beach. He has deep family roots in Suffolk County, Long Island that date to 1641, and in the Patchogue community going back over a century. He is a Past President of the Brehon Society of Suffolk County, and serves on the Board of Managers of the Brookhaven-Roe Y.M.C.A.
Martin Galvin Jr.
Current company /position: Law Firm of Goldberg Segalla LLP/Associate.
Age: 35.
Place of Birth: Bronx, New York.
Where you live: Bronx.
First Job: Van Cortlandt Golf Course Crew.
What it taught me: Waking up at 4 a.m. is horrible. But the job allowed me to play golf for free. I learned a better appreciation for hard work and golf. It also taught me to focus on school.
Status: Single
Family: Father Martin Galvin, Mother Carmel Galvin.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I lived in Westmeath, Ireland when I was 5 and went to primary school there. I’ve visited Ireland over 35 times and actually enjoy working on the bog.
2. I studied Irish history in Galway, at UCG, in 1997.
3. I learned Spanish fluently while studying abroad in Granada, Spain.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Be a good person to everyone and have the confidence to go out and get what you want. Be proud of your heritage, where you are from, and your family.
Martin Galvin III was born in the Bronx on July 29, 1977 to Carmel Galvin (from Westmeath Ireland) and Martin Galvin, Sr. He was raised in the Bronx (Kingsbridge, Riverdale, and Woodlawn). As a youngster, he was a Gaelic Football player for the Rangers at Gaelic Park and was a reader and altar server at Visitation Church. He attended Cardinal Spellman High School and Fordham Prep and then graduated with high honors from Manhattan College. He attended Notre Dame Law School from 2001-2004. He studied in the Notre Dame London Law Program for one year, and clerked for two summers at the Irish-American law firm of O’Dwyer and Bernstien, under the late Frank Durkan. In 2004, he began his career as an attorney, serving as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, where he conducted trials and long-term investigations on cases involving drugs, guns, and prostitution promoters. He also worked as an adjunct sociology professor at Manhattan College for two semesters, teaching courses on criminal law. In 2008, he began serving as a law clerk to Judge Carmen Ciparick at the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest state court in New York. He currently works at the Law Firm Goldberg Segalla LLP, in White Plains, NY. He focuses his practice on appellate writing, product liability, and general litigation. He recently resurrected the defunct Division 5 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Woodlawn, Bronx, NY, and serves as the division Vice President. He additionally serves as a member of Community Board 8 in Riverdale. He has been to Ireland over thirty-five times and enjoys watching Gaelic matches in Woodlawn and listening to Irish Music. He attends St. Barnabas parish.
Kelly Heneghan
Current company /position: President, O.C.A. Construction, Inc.
Age: 35.
Place of Birth: Chicago.
Where you live: Chicago.
First Job: Caddy.
What it taught me: Caddying taught me the value of hard work and earning per performance. It allowed me to experience and appreciate all types of people and observe how they handle adverse and triumphant situations. The value of tipping people in the service industry is forever ingrained in me as well.
Status: Married.
Family: Husband Patrick, son Patrick John, aged 2.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I have a hard hat, stroller and yoga mat in the trunk of my car.
2. I have been a vegetarian since I was 14 years old.
3. I am an accomplished pianist and violist.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Never stop learning. Seek mentors, keep taking professional courses and network. The next opportunity is awaiting your discovery but you have to work to find your next best prospect.
Kelly Heneghan (O’Connor), a University of Illinois graduate with a finance degree, received her law degree from DePaul University School of Law and LLM in real estate from John Marshall Law School. Kelly is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and President of O.C.A. Construction, Inc., a general construction contracting firm, and a director of Next Steps Chicago, a non-profit physical rehabilitation center started by her brother Jon who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2001. Kelly is an executive board member of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Kelly and Jon have co-chaired the Reeve Chicago committee to raise over $1 million in five years.
Martha Hourican
Current company /position: Director of Business Development in Self Help Africa.
Age: 34
Place of Birth: Brussels, Belgium.
Where you live: New York.
First Job: I waited tables in, what was at the time, Ireland’s only Japanese restaurant.
What it taught me: Smile and you get bigger tips! Also punctuality, stamina and a love of sushi.
Status: Married.
Family: Patrick (husband), Rebecca (daughter).
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I sang for the pope when I was 8 years old.
2. My first career choice was to be an opera singer despite not being able to sing.
3. I cook a mean Sri Lankan curry.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” It’s a cliché, but like most clichés, it’s true.
Martha is from Dublin but grew up in Brussels. She has lived in Ireland, Belgium, Guatemala, Sri Lanka and New York. Martha is a graduate of Trinity College, and received her Masters from UCD. Martha oversaw the establishment of Self Help Africa in the U.S. in 2009, bringing its unique message of a dynamic African economy to a new
audience. Since then, the team has raised over $2.5 million for their work in Africa. Before this, Martha worked with GOAL Sri Lanka, providing post- tsunami relief. She has also worked with the Irish Mission to United Nations and with the European Commission.
Niamh Hyland
Current company /position: Booz & Company/Facilitator & Coach, Singer/Songwriter/Co-Founder of Artists Without Walls.
Age: 30.
Place of Birth Co. Leitrim.
Where you live: New York, NY,
First Job: Piano teacher.
What it taught me: Practice plus patience equals key to success.
Status: Single
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. Played the bagpipes in the NY St. Patrick’s day parade.
2. I performed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
3. My nickname growing up was Lolly.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Find yourself a great mentor and be a life learner. Oh! And dance to your favorite tune as you get ready for work in the morning; it sets the day off on the right beat.
Niamh Hyland was born in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim to Thomas and Margaret Hyland and is the fifth of six children. Upon graduating from University College Dublin in 2004, with a Bachelor of Business and Legal studies, Niamh moved to New York to pursue her passion for music and begin her corporate ventures. Niamh has toured Europe and the U.S. as the lead singer of the original rock band Lily Sparks. Notable performances include The Ourland Festival at Lincoln Center, Webster Hall and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Combining her passion for music and business, Niamh recently co-founded the organization Artists Without Walls, which brings artists from multiple disciplines and cultural backgrounds together to connect, collaborate, create and perform their works. In addition to her musical life, Niamh was admitted to the NY State Bar in 2008 and currently works for the management consulting firm, Booz & Company as a facilitator, coach and lead of global communications for their learning and development team.
Bernadette McCabe Kelly
Current company /position: Vice President, Business Strategy, Screenvision.
Age: 33.
Place of Birth: New York City.
Where you live: New York City.
First Job: Research Associate at W.P. Stewart Asset Management.
What it taught me: Starting my first job out of college on September 10, 2001, I quickly learned that things can change in an instant, so accomplish what you can in a day and be proud of what you have done, since you can never be sure what the next day will bring.
Status: Married.
Family: William S. Kelly, Husband of one year.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. In High School, I was an exchange student in Sendai, Japan.
2. I was an Irish Dancer for 13 years.
3. I try to travel to one new country per year, recent trips include South Africa, Croatia, and Argentina.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Always be organized and prepared.
Bernadette McCabe Kelly is the Vice President in charge of Business Strategy at Screenvision, a leader in cinema advertising. She began her career as a Research Associate at W.P. Stewart Asset Management and Sustainable Growth Advisers. She is a member of NY Women in Film and Television, Cristo Rey HS supporter and former Fresh Air Fund mentor. An active patron with the Ireland Fund’s Young Leaders and NY Steering Committee, she is a 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Co-Chair. The Irish Voice has recognized her as a Woman of Influence. She is a passionate supporter of the Irish Arts Center. Bernadette graduated Fairfield University with degrees in Art History and International Studies and studied at the Lorenzo de Medici Institute in Florence, Italy. A first generation American of parents from Gortletteragh, Leitrim, Bernadette, the youngest of four girls, was raised in NJ, spending several summers of her youth in Ireland. Bernadette and her husband, William S. Kelly, reside in New York City.
Daniel Kelly
Current company /position: Stryker Orthopaedics/Sales Representative.
Age: 30.
Place of Birth: Pittsburgh, PA.
Where you live: Pittsburgh, PA.
First Job: Cook in a pizza shop.
What it taught me: Never take anything for granted. I often had to ride my bike to the pizza shop a few miles from my home. After working late one night I decided to leave my bike in the storage room and catch a ride home. When I reported to work again two nights later, my bike was gone. My boss was unhappy with where I left it, so he took it. That night (and several thereafter) I had to walk home.
Status: Single.
Family: Parents: Wayne and Ann. Siblings: Sarah (Pete), Mary Kate (John). Grandparents: Wayne and Flo Kelly, Stan and Mary Stephenson.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I was elected president of my class all four years at Tulane and spoke at my graduation in the Louisiana Superdome.
2. I nearly drowned off the coast of Australia and found out later the incident occurred in prohibited waters due to tiger shark breeding grounds.
3. I have lived in six different cities on my own.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: You create your own luck. Success will not fall into your lap. You have to set goals and develop a plan that you can execute. Be aggressive in your pursuit, and if things don’t seem to be working out- improvise, adapt, and overcome. If you do not give up you can never fail.
Daniel Kelly grew up in Pittsburgh and studied Economics at Tulane University on an academic scholarship. He has excelled in a sales career working for Caterpillar Inc., ADP, and currently Stryker Orthopaedics specializing in surgical implants. Dan has played Gaelic football for 11 years and has captained the Pittsburgh Celtics since 2010, twice winning National Championships in 2011 and 2012. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the Pittsburgh GAA in 2011 and 2012. Dan is also a member of the Knights of Equity and serves on the Board of Directors for the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project.
James Kelly
Current company /position: Director of Development, GOAL USA.
Age: 27.
Place of Birth: Limerick.
Where you live: Manhattan, NY.
First Job: Development worker, Leprosy Rehabilitation Center, Ghana.
What it taught me: First, how fortunate I am, out of a vast global population, to be amongst the tiny percentage born in the developed world. And consequently, no matter how badly off I might ever consider myself to be, my circumstances can never compare with those of the truly unfortunate.
Status: Single
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I am fluent in Haitian Creole.
2. I trained for two months in a Thai boxing camp (in Thailand).
3. I studied Computer Science but have worked in international development since graduating.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Learn from those around you, and never allow yourself to stop learning.
As a teenager, James worked with deprived families in disadvantaged areas of Limerick City. After graduating from the University of Limerick, he spent 18 months working for St. Vincent de Paul in pre-earthquake Haiti. James returned to Haiti with a GOAL emergency response team after the January 2010 earthquake, and was there for five months during the worst post-earthquake period. In August 2010, he traveled with a GOAL emergency response team to Pakistan, as Partnership Programs Manager. He assumed his position in the GOAL USA office in October 2010 and fundraises for GOAL’s work in the developing world.
Brendan Kenny
Current company /position: Lenox Advisors, Inc./Senior Vice President.
Age: 37.
Place of Birth: New York City.
Where you live: New York City.
First Job: Financial Advisor.
What it taught me: You have to be confident but you better stay humble. Doing the right thing and putting others first, even when no one is looking, will determine how happy you are with your career. Success is the journey; accomplishments are merely the rest stops.
Status: Married.
Family: Natalie and Lochlan.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I enjoy studying philosophy.
2. Sadly, I have never been to Ireland.
3. Just a beach bum at heart.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Do each day what is hardest first. The more uncomfortable that it makes you, the more you will grow from it. If you do this, everything else that follows gets easier. The rewards will always come.
Brendan is a Senior Vice President at Lenox Advisors where he is responsible for advising both corporate and high net worth clients of the firm. He specializes in asset management, insurance and estate planning. Brendan also works with corporate clients structuring comprehensive employee benefits and executive carve-out programs. Brendan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Philosophy from the College of the Holy Cross where he was an officer of the Men’s Rugby Football Club. He continues to stay active with the HCRFC program. Since then, Brendan has earned a number of accreditations including the Certified Financial Planner (CFP(r)) certification in 2004. Brendan previously co-chaired Cristo Rey High School’s Advisory Committee where he continues to serve, along with the Hedge Fund and Golf Committee. The mission is to provide students from low-income urban families a college-prep education and real life work experience. For his exceptional service efforts with Cristo Rey, MassMutual Financial Group presented him with their 2012 Community Service Award.
Natasha Kerry
Current company /position: State Legislative Affairs NYC Council.
Age: 39
Place of Birth: Saco, Maine.
Where you live: Albany, NY.
First Job: Working at my family’s pub.
What it taught me: Hard work is good for the soul. Interacting with people from all walks of life helped prepare me for success at my current position.
Status: Single.
Family: John and Linda Kerry, parents Meghan, Sean and Ryan, siblings.
THREE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I enjoy camping in a tent.
2. I can cook.
3. I taught English as a second language in California.
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Stay true to yourself.
Ms. Kerry has served as the state legislative representative for the Speaker of the New York City Council for the past eight years. She has worked on numerous issues concerning the interests of the citizens of New York City. Ms. Kerry grew up in Saco, Maine, attended Thornton Academy and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Ms. Kerry then spent a year in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Fresno, California teaching adult basic education and
English as a second language. Ms. Kerry attended Albany Law School, was a member of the Law Review and graduated Cum Laude. Ms. Kerry continues her volunteer work with non- profit groups in the Albany, New York area.