DEAN ARROWSMITH
Dean Arrowsmith hails from Dundalk, Co Louth (via Cavan) currently works at Chicago Fire FC in Major League Soccer as Manager of Soccer In The Community. With 17 years experience in the professional sports industry, he has become a leader in building programming that utilizes sport to impact local communities and create club/ community relations. Dean is the founder of Head In The Game - a mental health sports advocacy group.
ANDREW BARGIELSKI
Andrew Bargielski advises organizations on lifecycle marketing, digital strategy, and cross-sector growth, supporting global enterprises and emerging firms on market expansion and operational execution. His work centers on aligning strategy, technology, and commercial outcomes across complex environments. Active across major international markets, Andrew cultivates relationships that enable long-term partnerships. He holds an MBA from Trinity College Dublin and chairs the Trinity alumni network in Chicago.
GERRY BRETT
Gerry Brett is originally from Oak Park, but now resides in Park Ridge. He is an Irish citizen and his grandparents hail from Mayo, Limerick, & Dublin. He earned a Business Degree from St. Mary’s University. As the Market Manager of Republic Bank, he guides businesses with cash management & lending solutions. He also helps people make savvy financial decisions. In his spare time, he volunteers at St. Paul of the Cross, Big Shoulders Fund, and Our Lady of Angels.
REBECCA CLARKE
Rebecca Clarke is originally from Leopardstown in Dublin. Professionally, she is a Senior Manager at Accenture, where she specializes in marketing transformation and generative AI. She partners with global clients to reinvent how marketing teams operate through emerging technologies, data-driven strategies, and humancentered innovation. Rebecca earned her MSc from the Business School at Trinity College, Dublin and has spent her career at the intersection of technology, creativity, and business growth.
KERRIANNE CONROY
Originally from the suburbs of Boston. Her parents hail from Ferbane, Offaly and Lettergesh, Galway. Kerrianne attended the University of Notre Dame, earning an undergraduate degree in Accountancy with a minor in Irish language and literature and completing a Master’s Degree in Accountancy with an emphasis in Taxation. She now works at EY as a tax accountant - specializing in private client services with an emphasis in individual, trust and partnership taxation.
ELLEN CONVERY
Originally from County Down, Ellen moved to Chicago in 2021. A proud alumna of Queen’s University Belfast, she holds degrees in Food Science and Marketing. Ellen works on the marketing team at EverPass, where she helps bring live sports entertainment to commercial establishments across the U.S. Outside of work, she enjoys staying connected to her roots and spending time bringing the Irish community in Chicago together through events around in the city.
RORY CONVERY
From Belfast, Co. Antrim with family ties to Co. Derry and Co. Fermanagh, Rory grew up in Dubai, U.A.E. He attended the University of Notre Dame before moving to Chicago in 2013 to attend Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He is a member of the Ireland Network since 2013 and Executive Committee in 2020. He is an attorney in the General Counsel’s Office of RSM US LLP specializing in Privacy, AI and Cybersecurity law.
FRANK COSGRAVE
Frank Cosgrave is from County Mayo, Ireland, Frank Cosgrave relocated to the US in 2013. As an Account Manager at EOS IT Solutions, he is a seasoned technical sales expertise with a strong commitment to his global customers. His perspective, shaped by both his Irish heritage and his professional journey, adds a unique and beneficial dimension to his contributions. Frank lives in La Grange with his wife Jane and their two children, Mia and Darragh.
JULIA EGOFSKE
Julia Egofske grew up just north of the city, in Evanston, IL, in a family that celebrated its Irish roots, with both of her grandmothers being fully Irish. Professionally, Julia is a healthcare consultant, where she helps healthcare organizations navigate complex strategic and operational challenges. Prior to consulting, Julia earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and began her career in the biotech industry, managing large-scale clinical trials.
JOHN FITZPATRICK
John Fitzpatrick is from the northside of Dublin. After completing a degree in Business Studies from the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dun Laoghaire, he moved to America in 2007. He has built a career holding leadership positions focused on digital strategy, general management and omnichannel activation. Currently John is VP of Marketing at Elephas, a Madison, WI based oncology diagnostic company developing a predictive platform for cancer treatment.
KRISTEN FIELD
Kristen Field currently serves as the Executive Director of Friends of Prentice committed to superior healthcare spanning the full spectrum of a woman’s life. Kristen holds a MS in Public Service Management from DePaul University, Non-Profit Certificate from University of Notre Dame, & BS in Political Science & Pre-Law from Eastern Illinois University. Kristen’s passion is social justice & advocates for peace, healthcare, & equality especially concerning women, children & refugees
CONNOR KELLY
Connor is a lifelong Chicagoan who enjoys celebrating his Irish heritage through volunteer organizations like the Ireland Network. He has worked across a variety of sectors managing high profile projects and executing large scale special events. He specializes in logistics, operations, principal management, and problem solving. He currently serves as the Traveling Chief of Staff to the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, and public education.
FIONA GAFFNEY
Fiona is first-generation Irish American with Waterford and Wexford roots. She is from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Fiona graduated with a B.S. in Microbiology and Biophysics from Michigan and is studying for her Master’s in Public Health. Fiona works in food safety as a client success specialist and data analyst at EcoSure - Ecolab. She also serves on the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago board and learns Irish through Na Gaeil Chicago.
CAROLEANN GALLAGHER
Caroleann Gallagher is a personal injury/medical malpractice attorney and a Partner at the Law Firm of Coogan Gallagher. Originally from Arranmore Island, Donegal, she brings a global legal perspective and over two decades of experience to her work. Caroleann earned her law degree from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois and will ascend to President of the Organization in 2026.
DARREN GIBNEY
Darren hails from the seaside town of Warrenpoint in County Down. With family roots in Armagh, he proudly supports both counties in their GAA Championship runs. He moved to the U.S. in 2006 after graduating from Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in Business Information Technology. He is the Co-owner and CPTO of 3Advance, a digital agency that primarily partners with nonprofits and startups. He is the CPTO of Shift, The Irish Cultural Network.
OLIVER GLENN
Oliver Glenn is originally from Dublin but has lived in Portland, Oregon and San Francisco before moving to Chicago in 2017. He holds a B.S in Marketing from Santa Clara University. His career has taken him from Advertising to Brand Management and Oliver now holds the position of brand lead for On the Rocks Cocktails at Suntory Global Spirits Group. He joined the Ireland Network in 2022 and the Executive Committee in 2025.
ERIN MCCARTHY
Erin McCarthy is an associate professor of history at Columbia College Chicago with areas of expertise in sport history and oral history. McCarthy was born on the Southside (St. Philip Neri), and she and her husband, Ray, live in Wilmette where they raised their now grown daughter, JJ. As an undergrad at the University of Illinois, Champaign, she spent her junior year studying abroad at Trinity College, Dublin; she received her doctorate from Loyola University Chicago.
DENISE MCGUANE
Denise McGuane is originally from Co. Clare. She moved to the US in 2015. She is a Director on the Consumer Marketing team at Yelp, where she leads initiatives that help people discover and connect with great local businesses. Her work blends strategy, technology, and AI to drive user engagement and business growth. She holds an MSc in Marketing from NUI Galway and a Bachelor of Business from GMIT.
BRENDAN MCNULTY
Brendan McNulty is a first-generation Irish American with deep roots in Ireland, spanning across Grange (Co. Sligo), Beaufort (Co. Kerry), Ballyshannon (Co. Donegal) and Belleek (Co. Fermanagh). He has also lived in Garrison, Co. Fermanagh for 5 years. He earned bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in Marketing & Sales and Graduate degree from Atlantic Technological University Sligo in Marketing. He works in Operations Leadership for his family owned logistics business
AUDREY MURPHY
Audrey Murphy is originally from Glasson, Co. Westmeath. She graduated with a BA in Law and Accounting from the University of Limerick and is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA). Audrey is currently Operations Finance Director with Kerry. At Kerry she has had the opportunity to work in many different locations from Ireland, to Germany, The Netherlands, and South Africa, before relocating to the U.S. in 2016 and moved to Chicago in 2023.
CAHIR O’DOHERTY
Cahir O’Doherty, from Co. Derry, a Senior Director of Digital Marketing at Ricoh, where he leads web development teams across North America. With nearly two decades of experience in digital marketing, Cahir brings deep expertise in driving digital transformation and CX. He holds a degree from the University of Liverpool and a Master of Science from the University of Ulster. Outside of work, Cahir enjoys life in Beverly with his wife, Meghan, and their four boys.
DAVID SELLARS
David Sellars is an Enterprise Sales Director at Everest Transportation Systems where he specializes in providing carrier capacity for drayage moves and full truckload shipments throughout the US and Canada. He first travelled to Ireland in 1997 on a memorable trip with his grandparents and mother Colleen. It was on that trip where the love affair officially began. He later attended the Institute of Public Administration in Dublin, Ireland for a semester where he studied Irish politics.
ASHLEY SUMMERS-BAKER
Ashley Summers-Baker is a Program Manager, Sales Force Effectiveness and National Enterprise Resource Group leader at BMO US. Raised in Vancouver, BC Canada, Ashley has family in Strabane, County Tyrone and obtained Irish citizenship in 2007. Prior to joining BMO, Ashley enjoyed a global career in music performance, composition and education. She holds a Masters in Music from Indiana University and can still be found playing double bass on stages around the US and Canada.
JACKIE THEODORE
Jackie Theodore is a Chicago-based project management professional with strong Irish roots and a passion for community-building. Living on the city’s north side, she serves as Ball Co-Chair for Ireland Network Chicago’s Annual Ball. With over 20 years of experience leading complex, multi-site initiatives, Jackie specializes in aligning people, process, and execution to drive results. She is currently seeking project and program management opportunities where she can make a meaningful impact in collaborative, fast-paced organizations
