connect 2017 • 55 The summit business sessions were hosted at Condé Nast at One World Trade Center, and opened with a keynote from Greg Brown, Chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions. Greg spoke passionately about the importance of hard work, and the value, and difficulties, of leadership. Following Greg Brown’s speech, three panels dis- cussed modern Ireland, it’s footprint, and it’s future. The panels focused on the economy, media and technology and the Irish diaspora with panel- lists, Gene McQuade, former CEO of Citi Group; Harry Hartford, Presi- dent Causeway Capital; Paul Duffy, CEO Pernod Ricard USA; Mel Foody, Director of Business Intelligence in Google; Clare MacGoey, CFO Giphy; Liam Lynch, Founder Studio VC; television presenter Fionnuala Sweeney; Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chairman Emeritus The Ireland Funds Amer- ica, Adrian Jones, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs; Selina Cartmell, Di- rector of the Gate Theatre; Dublin and Rob MacGoey, Partner, PwC. The fi- nal session of the day hosted by Pat Tully and Siobhán Gallagher delivered the exciting news that the Global Young Leaders had reached their target of raising $1 million in two years in just one year. The evening continued with a viewing of a private street art collec- tion at 4 World Trade Center hosted by Irish artist, David Uda, ‘Duda’. That night in Prince George Ballroom after a rousing performance from the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums, NYPD Commissioner, James P. O’Neill, praised the honouree, Dublin born, NYPD Detective Brian O’Donnell for his bravery and courage. On Saturday in Vice Media HQ in Brooklyn, the Young Leaders came to- gether to hear about the work of The Ireland Funds, and learn how they could become the next generation of donors. A panel hosted by Caitriona Fottrell, VP The Ireland Funds; with Mark Fitzgerald, Principal KPMG; Alan Foy, Group CEO Blueface; and Tom O’Leary, COO The Ireland Funds America, evaluated the findings of the Impact Report and how this was guiding the plan for the future of The Ireland Funds. To give a deeper un- derstanding of the projects supported by The Ireland Funds and a voice in supporting those projects, four members of the Global Leadership Net- work, presented on flagship grantees, with Young Leaders voting on which project would receive an additional grant of $10,000. Ian Casey presented on Specialisterne, Faye Walsh Droulliard on Charities Institute Ireland, Mary Beth Glaccum on Washington Ireland Program, with the winning grantee NCI – Early Learning Initiative presented by Gerard Ryan. Zuma was the venue for the reception honoring Liam Cunningham, star of Games of Thrones. Liam spoke stirringly about the Young Leaders and their role in ensuring the work of The Ireland Funds remains infinite. Chairman of The Ireland Funds John Fitzpatrick closed the evening by thanking the Young Leaders for their energy and commitment, and com- mented that in their hands, the future is bright. After enjoying the hospital- ity of The Fitzpatrick Grand Central, the Summit drew to a close the fol- lowing morning with the Irish born breaking their three year-long unlucky streak and taking home the Ryder Cup of Bowling trophy. The Summit however missed a vital element: our dear friend and Young Leader Eileen Raftery who sadly passed away earlier in the year. Her absence was acknowledged and felt by those present who knew her. Mel Foody, Clare MacGoey, Liam Lynch, Fionnuala Sweeney Greg Brown The 2017 Summit was the largest gathering of Young Leaders to date with Young Leaders working to help shape the future, and ex- plore their role within that future. It also celebrated their success in raising over $1 million in 2016 for The Ireland Funds’ projects.