On Friday, March 11th, the hottest ticket in town was The San Francisco American Ireland Fund black tie gala fundraiser at the St. Francis Hotel.
Bill McKiernan, Executive Chairman & Founder of CyberSource Corporation, received The American Ireland Fund Distinguished Leadership Award, much to the delight of his wife Betsy, family members and friends who had flown in to join the celebration. There was also a special presentation to Richard J. Dunn who received the AIF Lifetime Achievement Award. The Dinner was attended by almost 500 guests and featured a buzzing cocktail reception and after-dinner dancing with David Martin's House Party, who rocked the room!
KRON TV News Anchor Catherine Heenan sparkled as emcee and she was joined by Paul Sheridan SJ of Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose who did the invocation. AIF President & CEO, Kieran McLoughlin arrived from New York to toast the honorees and provide an update on the Promising Ireland $100 million Campaign. Marty Mannion, Managing Partner at Summit Partners flew from Boston to give a wonderful introduction to his Harvard Business School friend, Bill McKiernan. Bill accepted The Distinguished Leadership Award to a standing ovation and much cheering. He spoke movingly about his family history and said that "it’s a tribute to Ireland and to America that Ireland could produce people like my grandfather, who came to this country with $10 and a dream for a better life. And America could provide the kind of opportunity that allows the grandson of a sandhog, and the son of parents who never had a chance to attend college……. to attend a Catholic grammar school on the lower east side of Manhattan, and a Jesuit high school 6 blocks away and then Boston College and Harvard Business School and start a company in Silicon Valley that would one day be worth $2 billion.".
Irish tenor Derek Ryan launched the musical part of the evening with beautiful renditions of Galway Bay, Danny Boy and Boolavogue. Patrick Meade of Bonhams & Butterfields got some very enthusiastic bidding going for a glorious trip to Ireland, as well as a spectacular Whiskey Basket, a very special Napa Trip, a San Francisco Escape, and an outstanding Collection of premium wines from the cellars of The American Ireland Fund Board Directors and key supporters. And then the dancing began!
Special Guests included Consul General Gerry Staunton, AIF Board Directors Pauline Ryan and husband, John; Bart Murphy & Eileen Moore Murphy, AIF LIfe Trustee Bill Walsh who was there with his family. San Francisco Regional Director Marjorie Muldowney greeted the Dinner Committee who were out in force: Blake Burke (Honorary Chair) and his wife, Cammie, Chief Joanne Hayes White – SFFD, Sally Ann Flood & Michael Kenny, Greg Murphy of Invesco, Jacqueline Paulin & Steven Jacobs, Hon. Barry O’Brien, John & Nicole Ring, Mary & Joe Toboni, Sonja & Kevin O’Brien, Kathleen Ryan, John McDonnell, Rita and Dan O’Hara, and Suzi & Ken Tinsley. The Gala Dinner was kindly supported by many longtime friends including EJ Tracy, Joan & Dave O'Reilly, Mr. & Mrs. A.W.B. Vincent, The Irish Technology Leadership Group, Helen Wilmot & Greg Davidson, Harry Hartford, Jack & Jackie McDonnell and Diane Wilsey. There was also generous corporate support from CyberSource Corporation, Visa, Chevron, Digicel, Invest Northern Ireland, Goldman Sachs, McKesson Corporation, IDA/Enterprise Ireland, UCSF Medical Center, and URS Corporation. Special thanks to the educational groups that supported the Dinner including Galway University Foundation, Boston College, Mary Immaculate College, St. Francis High School and Bellarmine College Prep.
Sincere thanks and appreciation to all our guests for attending this fabulous night of fun and congratulations Bill!