connect 2017 • 96 AROUND THE WORLD BELFAST April, 2017 The Leadership Series began in Belfast with an inspiring talk from previous Ireland Funds Spirit of Ireland awardee, Mark Pollock. Mark is known as a leader, com- petitor, explorer, adventurer, and pioneer. He spoke about his personal journey when, after going blind in 1998, he went on to compete in ultra-endurance races across deserts, mountains, and the polar ice caps including being the first blind person to race to the South Pole. His fortitude has also earned him silver and bronze medals in rowing at the Commonwealth Games. Mark explained to those gathered how in 2010 he was left paralyzed after falling from a second story window, and he made the choice to meet the challenge that lay ahead of him. He is now exploring the frontiers of spinal cord injury recovery. Mark left The Ireland Funds Young Leaders with the message that some- times the ‘challenge chooses you’ and that you must meet it. June, 2017 Shaun Kelly, Global Chief Operating Officer with KPMG International continued The Ireland Funds Leadership Se- ries with a marvelous lecture held in his hometown, Belfast. He delivered his leadership lecture to launch Digital DNA, Northern Ireland’s biggest tech and innovation conference. Shaun outlined his career path from Belfast, to Dublin, to San Francisco and now New York, and his current role overseeing numerous countries. He explained how in his career he believed in hard work, always aiming for excellence. He highlighted how important serving on The Ireland Funds America Board of Directors was to him, and how it offered him insights into the non-profit sector. He spoke about the Young Leaders and the need for the next generation of donors. Leadership Series with Mark Pollock Leadership Series at Digital DNA 2017 with Shaun Kelly 1 1 2 3 2 3 1 Mark Pollack 2 The Belfast Young Leaders 3 Trevor Ringland, Mark Pollock, Stephen Warke, Emma Hunt 1 Shaun Kelly 2 Conor Houston, Jonathan Ireland, Shaun Kelly, Siobhán Gallagher, Emma Trent, Andrew Trimble 3 Shaun Kelly