On Wednesday, July 18, 2018 The Ireland Funds Chicago Regional Advisory Committee hosted its 2018 Chicago Dinner Kick Off Event and Summer Gathering.
It was a unique, private dinner held at The Richard H. Driehaus Museum. The Museum explores the art, architecture, and design of the late 19th and early 20th centuries with a focus on the Gilded Age. The Museum is located just steps from the Magnificent Mile within the meticulously restored Nickerson Mansion, renowned as Gilded Age Chicago’s “Marble Palace.”
The evening began with a meeting led by Committee Chair, Michael O’Halleran. Mike spoke about the terrific honorees we are recognizing at the upcoming 2018 dinner and asked each committee member to make it a very special evening for Tom Meagher – National Board Director, former Chair of the Regional Advisory Committee and an inspiring Chicago leader.
Co-Chair, Devon Bruce, spoke about the recently concluded Ireland Funds Worldwide Conference. He reflected that one is able to best experience the impact of The Ireland Funds by attending the annual event and interacting with projects and initiatives, first-hand. He also spoke about the opportunity to meet with fellow colleagues from 12 different countries. He unequivocally encouraged all to attend in 2019.
Kyle Clifford, Vice President of The Ireland Funds, gave an update on the recent work of the organization and highlighted the importance of the upcoming Chicago Dinner in helping support the grant rounds in Ireland.
The 34th Annual Chicago Dinner will take place on Thursday, November 1, at the Four Seasons Hotel. We will proudly recognize the many contributions of our three extraordinary honorees: The Ireland Funds Inaugural Chairman’s Award will be bestowed upon Thomas F. Meagher, Jr., Managing Director of GCM Grosvenor; Gerald Beeson, Chief Operating Officer of Citadel will receive The Ireland Funds 2018 Leadership Award; and The Ireland Funds 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Award will be presented to Medtronic, accepted by Dr. Jacob A. Gayle, its Vice President of Philanthropy.
It was a lovely evening of camaraderie and the committee was imbued with a renewed commitment to the dinner knowing its importance to the life of The Ireland Funds and its ability to positively impact so many worthy causes.
