2012 Sponsors
2012 Honorees
President Mary McAleese
Celebrating the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
On 11th November, 1997, Mary McAleese was inaugurated as the eighth President of Ireland. Mary McAleese was re-elected on Friday 1st October 2004 being the only validly-nominated candidate. She is a barrister and former Professor of Law. Born on June 27th 1951 in Belfast, she is the first President to come from Northern Ireland. She is married, since 1976, to Dr. Martin McAleese, an accountant and dentist. They have three children, Emma, born 1982 and twins Justin and SaraMai, born 1985. The eldest of nine children, President McAleese grew up in Northern Ireland through the violent times that have come to be known as ‘The Troubles’. Her family was one of many adversely affected by the conflict. She graduated in Law from the Queen’s University of Belfast in 1973 and was called to the Northern Ireland Bar in 1974. In 1975, she was appointed Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College Dublin and in 1987, she returned to her Alma Mater, Queen’s, to become Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. In 1994, she became the first female Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Queen’s University of Belfast. President McAleese is an experienced broadcaster, having worked as a current affairs journalist and presenter in radio and television with Radio Telefís Éireann. She has a longstanding interest in many issues concerned with justice, equality, social inclusion, anti-sectarianism and reconciliation. The theme of her Presidency was ‘Building Bridges’
Celebrating the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
On 11th November, 1997, Mary McAleese was inaugurated as the eighth President of Ireland. Mary McAleese was re-elected on Friday 1st October 2004 being the only validly-nominated candidate. She is a barrister and former Professor of Law. Born on June 27th 1951 in Belfast, she is the first President to come from Northern Ireland. She is married, since 1976, to Dr. Martin McAleese, an accountant and dentist. They have three children, Emma, born 1982 and twins Justin and SaraMai, born 1985. The eldest of nine children, President McAleese grew up in Northern Ireland through the violent times that have come to be known as ‘The Troubles’. Her family was one of many adversely affected by the conflict. She graduated in Law from the Queen’s University of Belfast in 1973 and was called to the Northern Ireland Bar in 1974. In 1975, she was appointed Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College Dublin and in 1987, she returned to her Alma Mater, Queen’s, to become Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. In 1994, she became the first female Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Queen’s University of Belfast. President McAleese is an experienced broadcaster, having worked as a current affairs journalist and presenter in radio and television with Radio Telefís Éireann. She has a longstanding interest in many issues concerned with justice, equality, social inclusion, anti-sectarianism and reconciliation. The theme of her Presidency was ‘Building Bridges’
Senator Martin McAleese
Celebrating the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Dr. Martin McAleese holds an honours B.Sc. degree in Physics from Queen’s University, Belfast and also B.A., M.A. and B. Dent. Sc. degrees from Trinity College, Dublin. He has numerous honorary doctorates, including an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from DCU. He worked for many years in a large dental practice having previously worked as a financial controller and company secretary with a number of firms. In support of the work of his wife, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland (1997-2011) Dr. McAleese has sought to develop greater trust and reconciliation among communities in Northern Ireland, particularly involving the working class loyalist community in his native Belfast. In the early years of the McAleese Presidency, Martin also undertook voluntary projects overseas in countries such as Honduras where he utilised his dental training for the benefit of poor communities in these countries. 2010 saw the launch of Your Country, Your Call, a national, highly successful competition which was the brain-child of Martin McAleese. Martin devoted considerable time and effort to this initiative bringing together a dynamic team of people from the public and private sectors. His efforts were recognised with a special award at the 2010 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award ceremony. In May 2011, Martin was appointed as an independent member of the Seanad, where he will focus on issues which affect the practical interests of the people of Ireland, especially in regard to economic regeneration and employment and in the promotion of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. In July 2011, he was appointed as independent Chair of the Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalene Laundries. The Governing Authority of Dublin City University appointed Senator McAleese as Chancellor of the University on 29 July, 2011. In December 2011 Martin received The Business & Finance Award for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Ireland." In July 2012 Martin was awarded the "International Tipperary Peace Prize 2011" jointly with his wife, the former President of Ireland, Professor Mary McAleese. Martin has a lifelong passion for lifelong education.
Celebrating the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Dr. Martin McAleese holds an honours B.Sc. degree in Physics from Queen’s University, Belfast and also B.A., M.A. and B. Dent. Sc. degrees from Trinity College, Dublin. He has numerous honorary doctorates, including an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from DCU. He worked for many years in a large dental practice having previously worked as a financial controller and company secretary with a number of firms. In support of the work of his wife, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland (1997-2011) Dr. McAleese has sought to develop greater trust and reconciliation among communities in Northern Ireland, particularly involving the working class loyalist community in his native Belfast. In the early years of the McAleese Presidency, Martin also undertook voluntary projects overseas in countries such as Honduras where he utilised his dental training for the benefit of poor communities in these countries. 2010 saw the launch of Your Country, Your Call, a national, highly successful competition which was the brain-child of Martin McAleese. Martin devoted considerable time and effort to this initiative bringing together a dynamic team of people from the public and private sectors. His efforts were recognised with a special award at the 2010 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award ceremony. In May 2011, Martin was appointed as an independent member of the Seanad, where he will focus on issues which affect the practical interests of the people of Ireland, especially in regard to economic regeneration and employment and in the promotion of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. In July 2011, he was appointed as independent Chair of the Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalene Laundries. The Governing Authority of Dublin City University appointed Senator McAleese as Chancellor of the University on 29 July, 2011. In December 2011 Martin received The Business & Finance Award for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Ireland." In July 2012 Martin was awarded the "International Tipperary Peace Prize 2011" jointly with his wife, the former President of Ireland, Professor Mary McAleese. Martin has a lifelong passion for lifelong education.
Louise Phelan
Vice President of Global Operations EMEA for PayPal
Recipient of the Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Award
Louise Phelan is Vice President of Global Operations EMEA for PayPal. Based in Blanchardstown Dublin, PayPal is the European Centre of Excellence and employs almost 1,450 people. Louise joined PayPal in 2006 as CS and Risk Director for the EU and was recently promoted to her current position. Prior to joining PayPal in June 2006, Louise was a member of the Senior Management Team for GE Money, a division of General Electric (GE), which specialises in small ticket lending for a client base comprising both consumers and commercial customers. During her 16 years with GE (formerly Woodchester Investments), Louise held a wide variety of Management & Leadership roles. From 2000- 2006 she held the position of Compliance Leader with responsibility for leading change and integrating a compliance culture across the organisation. While in this role, Louise was a member of the Business Quality Council and was Ombudsperson for the business. Louise is on the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, CCMA Ireland and the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) In her spare time Louise enjoys travelling and exercising.
Vice President of Global Operations EMEA for PayPal
Recipient of the Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Award
Louise Phelan is Vice President of Global Operations EMEA for PayPal. Based in Blanchardstown Dublin, PayPal is the European Centre of Excellence and employs almost 1,450 people. Louise joined PayPal in 2006 as CS and Risk Director for the EU and was recently promoted to her current position. Prior to joining PayPal in June 2006, Louise was a member of the Senior Management Team for GE Money, a division of General Electric (GE), which specialises in small ticket lending for a client base comprising both consumers and commercial customers. During her 16 years with GE (formerly Woodchester Investments), Louise held a wide variety of Management & Leadership roles. From 2000- 2006 she held the position of Compliance Leader with responsibility for leading change and integrating a compliance culture across the organisation. While in this role, Louise was a member of the Business Quality Council and was Ombudsperson for the business. Louise is on the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, CCMA Ireland and the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) In her spare time Louise enjoys travelling and exercising.
Elizabeth Frawley Bagley
Special Representative to the Secretary of State for Global Partnerships
Recipient of the Albert Schweitzer's Leadership for Life Award
Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley rejoined the U.S. Department of State as Special Representative to the Secretary of State for Global Partnerships on June 1, 2009. On October 1, 2010 she assumed the position of Senior Advisor for Special Initiatives to the Secretary. Prior to her appointment Ambassador Bagley served as Vice Chair of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, a Presidential appointment with Senate confirmation, on which she served from 2003 – 2009. She also served as a Senior Advisor for Manatt Jones Global Strategies, and Associate Director of the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force on Democracy. Her extra curricular activities included serving as Chair of the National Advisory Board for the Democratic National Committee and Chair of the Clinton Library Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Vital Voices International, the American Ireland Fund, Refugees International, and the French American Foundation. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Global Irish Forum. Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State from 1997 – 2001, where she established and headed the Office of Media Programming Acquisition for the newly independent Balkan states. She also served as a Senate liaison for NATO Enlargement. Prior to her position at the State Department, Ambassador Bagley served as the U.S. Ambassador to Portugal from 1994 to 1997. Upon her departure from Portugal, she received meritorious awards from the Portuguese Navy and Air Force, as well as the “Grand Cross of Prince Henry the Navigator,” the President of Portugal’s highest civilian commendation. She has also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Regis College in 2003 and the “Global Democracy Award” from the International Women’s Democracy Center in March, 2005, and was also the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in May, 2005. An attorney specializing in trade and international law, she was Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University in Washington until January 1993. She has held several positions in the Department of State: Congressional Liaison Officer for the Panama Canal Treaties during the Carter Administration (1977 – 1979); Special Assistant to Ambassador Sol Linowitz for the Camp David Accords, (1979- 1980); and Congressional Liaison to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (1980 – 1981). Ambassador Frawley Bagley is a 1974 graduate of Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, where she graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree in French and Spanish. She is a 1987 graduate of the Georgetown University Law School, where she obtained a J.D. Degree in International law. She also attended university and law school in France, Spain, and Austria, where she studied international trade law and public international law. She is the mother of two children, a daughter, Vaughan, age 22, and son Conor, age 19. Ambassador Bagley is a member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar and District of Columbia Bar.
Special Representative to the Secretary of State for Global Partnerships
Recipient of the Albert Schweitzer's Leadership for Life Award
Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley rejoined the U.S. Department of State as Special Representative to the Secretary of State for Global Partnerships on June 1, 2009. On October 1, 2010 she assumed the position of Senior Advisor for Special Initiatives to the Secretary. Prior to her appointment Ambassador Bagley served as Vice Chair of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, a Presidential appointment with Senate confirmation, on which she served from 2003 – 2009. She also served as a Senior Advisor for Manatt Jones Global Strategies, and Associate Director of the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force on Democracy. Her extra curricular activities included serving as Chair of the National Advisory Board for the Democratic National Committee and Chair of the Clinton Library Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Vital Voices International, the American Ireland Fund, Refugees International, and the French American Foundation. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Global Irish Forum. Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State from 1997 – 2001, where she established and headed the Office of Media Programming Acquisition for the newly independent Balkan states. She also served as a Senate liaison for NATO Enlargement. Prior to her position at the State Department, Ambassador Bagley served as the U.S. Ambassador to Portugal from 1994 to 1997. Upon her departure from Portugal, she received meritorious awards from the Portuguese Navy and Air Force, as well as the “Grand Cross of Prince Henry the Navigator,” the President of Portugal’s highest civilian commendation. She has also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Regis College in 2003 and the “Global Democracy Award” from the International Women’s Democracy Center in March, 2005, and was also the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in May, 2005. An attorney specializing in trade and international law, she was Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University in Washington until January 1993. She has held several positions in the Department of State: Congressional Liaison Officer for the Panama Canal Treaties during the Carter Administration (1977 – 1979); Special Assistant to Ambassador Sol Linowitz for the Camp David Accords, (1979- 1980); and Congressional Liaison to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (1980 – 1981). Ambassador Frawley Bagley is a 1974 graduate of Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, where she graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree in French and Spanish. She is a 1987 graduate of the Georgetown University Law School, where she obtained a J.D. Degree in International law. She also attended university and law school in France, Spain, and Austria, where she studied international trade law and public international law. She is the mother of two children, a daughter, Vaughan, age 22, and son Conor, age 19. Ambassador Bagley is a member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar and District of Columbia Bar.
Tom Dreesen
Comedian
Recipient of the Arts and Entertainment Award
Tom Dreesen left his hometown of Harvey,Illinois over 35 years ago to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood. Since that time he has made over 500 appearances on national television as a standup comedian including 61 appearances on the Tonight Show. He’s a favorite guest of David Letterman and has hosted the show during David's absence. For years he has been a regular in all the main showrooms in Las Vegas performing with Sammy Davis Jr, Liza Minnelli, Natalie Cole, Smokey Robinson and for 14 years toured the nation as the opening act for Frank Sinatra As an actor he's appeared in many motion pictures like "Spaceballs","Man in the Moon" "Trouble With The Curve" HBO movies "Rat Pack" and "Lansky" and mastered roles on Television shows like "Colombo", "Touched by an Angel", "Murder She Wrote" "Facts of Life" and "WKRP in Cincinnati" The first six years of his career he shared the stage with Tim Reid as America's first black and white comedy team and as history shows they were the last. The duo recently wrote a book called "Tim and Tom An American Comedy in Black and White" about their escapades touring the nation from 1969 to 1975 which is now in the process of becoming a movie. He is currently appearing in Theaters around the country in his one man show "An Evening of Laughter and Memories of Sinatra"displaying his critically acclaimed standup comedy skills with his extraordinary storytelling ability. The combination of the two led the Chicago Tribune critic Rick Kogan to write "Brilliant "Funny"" Poignant". His manager of over 30 years says "Tom has lent his talent to over 100 charities including one he founded called "Day for Darlene" running 26 miles three years in a row to raise money and honor his sister Darlene who was challenged with Multiple Sclerosis. An ex-GI and strong supporter of our troops he's performed in military bases all over the world including in Iraq. On May 14th,2005 he received the prestigious "Ellis Island Medal Of Honor Award for humanitarian service to his country. Daily Variety wrote, “Dreesen is one of the most respected comedians of our time”. Larry Wilde, Author of the book “The Great Comedians” said “Excellent material, Superb delivery, Impeccable timing. Tom Dreesen is the Quintessential Comedian”. Frank Sinatra said, "Tommy is not only a great comedian but he is also is the Master, Master of Ceremonies.”
Comedian
Recipient of the Arts and Entertainment Award
Tom Dreesen left his hometown of Harvey,Illinois over 35 years ago to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood. Since that time he has made over 500 appearances on national television as a standup comedian including 61 appearances on the Tonight Show. He’s a favorite guest of David Letterman and has hosted the show during David's absence. For years he has been a regular in all the main showrooms in Las Vegas performing with Sammy Davis Jr, Liza Minnelli, Natalie Cole, Smokey Robinson and for 14 years toured the nation as the opening act for Frank Sinatra As an actor he's appeared in many motion pictures like "Spaceballs","Man in the Moon" "Trouble With The Curve" HBO movies "Rat Pack" and "Lansky" and mastered roles on Television shows like "Colombo", "Touched by an Angel", "Murder She Wrote" "Facts of Life" and "WKRP in Cincinnati" The first six years of his career he shared the stage with Tim Reid as America's first black and white comedy team and as history shows they were the last. The duo recently wrote a book called "Tim and Tom An American Comedy in Black and White" about their escapades touring the nation from 1969 to 1975 which is now in the process of becoming a movie. He is currently appearing in Theaters around the country in his one man show "An Evening of Laughter and Memories of Sinatra"displaying his critically acclaimed standup comedy skills with his extraordinary storytelling ability. The combination of the two led the Chicago Tribune critic Rick Kogan to write "Brilliant "Funny"" Poignant". His manager of over 30 years says "Tom has lent his talent to over 100 charities including one he founded called "Day for Darlene" running 26 miles three years in a row to raise money and honor his sister Darlene who was challenged with Multiple Sclerosis. An ex-GI and strong supporter of our troops he's performed in military bases all over the world including in Iraq. On May 14th,2005 he received the prestigious "Ellis Island Medal Of Honor Award for humanitarian service to his country. Daily Variety wrote, “Dreesen is one of the most respected comedians of our time”. Larry Wilde, Author of the book “The Great Comedians” said “Excellent material, Superb delivery, Impeccable timing. Tom Dreesen is the Quintessential Comedian”. Frank Sinatra said, "Tommy is not only a great comedian but he is also is the Master, Master of Ceremonies.”
Event Location & Date
October 10, 2012The Pierre Hotel
2 E 61st Street
New York, NY 10065