by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Jul 9, 2015 | Chicago
New President/Vice President Appointment
We would like to welcome Rachel McCormac back to the Board of IN Chicago as President for the coming two years. Rachel a native Dubliner moved to Chicago nearly 12 years ago and lives with her husband Simon – also from Dublin and her son James (8 years) in the Bridgeport area of Chicago. Rachel has responsibility for operations and design of their residential and commercial remodeling business – Artane Construction.
“In my term as President I will welcome all Irish and friends of Ireland to the Network so that they can develop relationships that will foster successful involvement in their businesses and life. I hope to refresh the profile of Ireland Network in Chicago and build a new membership structure that offers opportunities to both individuals and businesses.”
Valerie Wall will serve as Vice President of the IN for the next two years. A native of Dublin, Valerie has lived in Chicago for the past 16 years. She graduated from University College Dublin with a PhD in organic chemistry and started her career in the pharmaceutical industry as a research scientist with the Monsanto Company. Valerie is now VP Sales & Marketing with RC Corp., a fine chemical custom development and manufacturing company with global locations. She serves on the board of Chicago Irish Immigrant Support and has been an IN committee member for the past five years. She is delighted to support Rachel in her new role as President.
by Steve Lenox | Jun 5, 2014 | Blog, Chicago, In The News, News
Invited by University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy to deliver the 2014 King Abdullah II Annual Leadership Lecture on May 12, President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins laid out a holistic approach to addressing complex global challenges, emphasizing specifically the interconnectivity of economics, ethics, immigration and the environment.
“Ireland Network Chicago was proud to participate as a Sponsor Partner for this highlight event of the President’s visit to the Midwest” said Seamus Byrne, past President of Ireland Network Chicago and a board member of Irish Network USA. The lecture was hosted by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs at The Drake, an historic hotel in downtown Chicago. At a later reception hosted by Consul General Aidan Cronin and attended by over 800 guests from the Chicago Irish community, the President spoke optimistically on the future of Ireland, the momentum of the economic recovery underway, and the critical role played by the Diaspora in that future.
Also attending the reception hosted by the Consulate was Mary McFarland Brooks, IN Minnesota representative to the INUSA Board. “Becoming part of the INUSA Network has offered our members the opportunity to more fully exercise their support for business, cultural and sport initiatives that tie us back to Ireland in a tangible way,” said Brooks. “I was honored to represent IN Minnesota at this special event and look forward to continuing to build valuable relationships with INUSA chapters and members across the country.”
“Irish Network USA is honored to be able to be a part of these events that do so much to keep the Diaspora engaged with Ireland in a meaningful way,” state Steve Lenox, Co-President of Irish Network USA. “President Higgins offered inspiring words during his time in Chicago and is certainly always welcome to come back and visit with members of any one of our 19 chapters!”
