Irish America magazine honored the best and brightest Irish-American and Irish-born leaders, representing some of the world’s most innovative and influential companies and corporations at the Metropolitan Club in New York City on Monday, December 15, 2025. This talented and diverse group of honorees, who are making an impact as they forge new territory in AI, navigate complex cybersecurity and healthcare developments, and educate future leaders, was joined by distinguished guests for a meaningful celebration of achievement and community.
Maggie Timoney, President and CEO of HEINEKEN USA, served as the Keynote Speaker, and Andrea Haughian, U.S. Chief of Invest Northern Ireland, received the 2025 Spirit of Ireland Award.
In addition to the honorees, many of whom brought their families, guests included past Business 100 Keynote speakers Helen Doody, Head of Abbey Capital U.S.; Eileen Murray, former co-CEO at Bridgewater Associates; Jim O’Donnell, Vice Chair of Citi; and Jim Clerkin, Chairman of ReserveBar/MiniBar. Jane McCooey, a leading executive at Morgan Stanley and the 2024 Wall Street 50 Keynote Speaker, was also in attendance.
And what’s an Irish event without music? Business 100 honoree, Cathy Maguire, who came from Nashville to share her remarkable voice with the audience, kicked off the party with a beautiful rendition of “White Christmas.”
Irish America’s co-founder and publisher, Niall O’Dowd, reminded the guests that on occasions like this, we honor the memories and struggles of previous generations. He said, “Maggie Timoney is an inspiration to everybody from Ireland.” Addressing Maggie directly, he added, “I think you’re an example to every young woman, and indeed, every young man, just how incredible this country is, and how far you can go as the CEO of Heineken.”
Patricia Harty, co-founder and editor of the magazine, reflected on the importance of recognizing Irish and Irish-American leaders who are shaping business and community across the globe. “We have honorees here tonight from Philadelphia, Boston, Connecticut, New Mexico, New York – from all around the U.S. – and others who are joining us from Ireland.
“Irish-born, and Irish-American, we are one big family,” she said, emphasizing the role of the Business 100 celebration in bringing together and showcasing the strength and breadth of the Irish and Irish-American business community, and fostering meaningful and lasting connections across the generations.
Calling on the honorees – some 75 of the 100 who were present – to stand for a round of applause, she then asked them to move to the reception area for a group photograph. “In 100 years, some student of history will come across this photograph, in the Library of Congress or elsewhere, and know just who the Irish were at this point in our journey in America.”
On presenting the Spirit of Ireland Award to Andrea Haughian, Harty recognized her a senior representative for Northern Ireland’s economic development agency in the U.S. who, since 2007, has been fostering business growth and opportunities – attracting American investment back to Northern Ireland by building networks and planning major U.S. investment events. She also noted how supportive of the Irish American community on a national scale, Andrea has been over the years, saying: “We couldn’t think of a better person to present with our Spirit of Ireland Award.”
Andrea spoke movingly about the power of the Irish diaspora and the responsibility that accompanies leadership. She emphasized that such honors represent far more than individual achievement, calling them “testaments to the extraordinary impact of our Irish and Irish-American community.” She highlighted the vital role diaspora connections play in shaping industries, strengthening economies, and building global bridges, while also acknowledging the dedication of her team across the Americas. She concluded by thanking Irish America for preserving and elevating Irish voices for more than four decades, sharing that she accepts the award with “a renewed sense of responsibility to continue championing the spirit of Ireland wherever my work takes me.”
Introducing Keynote Speaker Maggie Timoney, Harty called her “a transformational, barrier-breaking leader” and spoke about her journey from excelling on the basketball court at Iona and graduating with honors, to breaking significant gender barriers in the corporate world.
Reflecting on Maggie’s leadership and influence, she noted that Heineken is now the top-selling lager in Ireland, and Heineken 0.0 is the number one-selling non-alcoholic beer in the U.S.
Drawing from her upbringing as the youngest child in a family of nine, in a small town in the west of Ireland, Maggie spoke lovingly about her parents and siblings, mentorship, and the lessons learned through sport – teamwork, responsibility, and humility – that shaped her journey. She talked about Danny Thompson, who moved to her small town in Mayo, and founded and coached the Ballina Pacers women’s basketball team, which enabled her to go on to play for the Ireland team and earn a basketball scholarship to Iona College (now university) — and revealed how, as a homesick immigrant, she found her American family and friends for life at Iona.
In conclusion, Maggie said: “When I think about the Irish American community, it really is a unique blend of strength, of resilience, of faith, of pride, of humor. In Irish America, we may have two homes, but we do have one green, bleeding heart.
“So close your eyes for a minute and think of those who have come before you, those who have shaped you into who you are today. The
Connies, the Seamuses, the Unas, the Kathleens, all those people in your family who went before you and allowed you to be who you are. And let’s open our eyes and let’s raise a glass to those people, particularly at this season, who gave up so much for us, who shaped us into who we are today, and say, Slainte!”
Earlier in the evening, Consul General Gerald Angley, also reflected on the strength of the Irish diaspora in America, noting its vital role in supporting Ireland socially, culturally, and economically. He spoke of the deep sense of connection that binds Irish communities across the Atlantic, emphasizing how the diaspora has long served as a bridge between the two nations. Expressing his appreciation for the gathering, he shared, “I am truly honored to be here tonight, celebrating that shared legacy.”
Closing out the night, we heard from Irish America’s VP of Marketing, Mary Cucinell, who reminded us of the power of celebration and connection. As she said, “I think we just want to take a minute and celebrate 40 years. Patricia and Niall – what they have accomplished over the past 40 years is truly remarkable.” She added, “When you have an Irish toast, it’s not about what’s in the glass. It’s about the connections you make. Look at these connections and think about the thousands of people before you who have shared them.” She concluded by expressing heartfelt thanks to Patricia and Niall for their incredible contributions over the past four decades.
Together, the 2025 Business 100 Celebration stood as a powerful tribute to excellence, heritage, and the strong bonds that unite the Irish and Irish-American community across generations and industries.
2025 Business 100 Honorees
To learn about Irish America’s Business 100 honorees throughout the years visit the Business 100 page.