The Ireland Funds Women in Leadership Luncheon was held on December 5, 2025 at the San Francisco Four Seasons Hotel.
Equinix CEO Adaire Fox-Martin, and Jemma Cassidy, Chief Product Officer at Banana Republic, were the Guest Speakers. The Luncheon Chair was Meagan Levitan of Corcoran Icon Properties and the Honorary Chairs were Ruth Cotter, SVP at AMD; Amy Roberti, Head of Global Government Relations & Public Affairs at Stripe, Mary Driscoll-Toboni of The Toboni Group, Jeannie Sangiacomo, and Ireland Funds Board Director EJ Farrell. Consul General Micheál Smith welcomed the audience of over 350 guests and spoke of the important role of Irish women in so many arenas. On this 20th anniversary of the Luncheon, West Coast VP Marjorie Muldowney spoke of the role Irish women have played in San Francisco, leading companies, communities, and causes and how so much of our work is devoted to helping advance opportunity and uplift female leadership.
San Francisco’s Mayor Daniel Lurie was warmly welcomed as he spoke about the grace that exists within The Ireland Funds – and the importance of that quality in our relationships with neighbors, friends and fellow San Franciscans as the city rebuilds its economy.
Journalist Janet Reilly, led a lively discussion with Adaire and Jemma, covering topics like the shifting trends in tech and fashion, the fact that Equinix processes 90% of the world’s internet traffic, and the tools Banana Republic uses to interpret market behavior and consumer trends, as well as the role of tenacity, following passions, and being brave in taking on responsibilities that might have seemed daunting initially. This was a pair of dynamic women who spoke frankly and in revealing ways about their path upwards – and the role of their own mothers in the background. Adaire was the first person in her family to go to college, while Jemma chose to drop out of college and build her career in London, Denmark, New York and now San Francisco. The room was brimming – a sold-out event filled to capacity – with lots of great networking, bonhomie, and a wonderful sense that the festive season is underway.
Key sponsors included Stripe, AMD Corporation, IDA, Banana Republic, Equinix, Invest Northern Ireland, William Fry LLP & Allied Irish Bank (AIB), and APSC (Alice Phelan Sullivan Corporation). The event was generously supported by Meagan Levitan, Ruth Cotter, EJ Farrell, Jeannie Sangiacomo, Diane Wilsey, Sheila MacLean, Eileen Moore Murphy & Bart Murphy, Orla MacLean, Elizabeth Ferrari, Sarah Friar, Susan & Harry Hartford, Betsy & Bill McKiernan, Cinta Gibbons of Cinta Salon, Linda Rogers of Dolby, and Mary & Joe Toboni. Other important sponsors included Deloitte, Montera Infrastructure, Kerri Murphy Hogan, Janet & Clint Reilly, Lateral Investment Management, Mary Conlon-Almassy, SVG Ventures, Corcoran Icon Properties, and Sheila Gleeson. A most sincere thank you to each of you.
Thank you to our wonderful Silent Auction donors including Ballyfin Demesne, The Park Hotel, The Westbury Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel, Mary & Joe Toboni of Toboni Vineyards, San Francisco Giants, Mission Rock Resort, Meagan Levitan & Spruce Restaurant, Jeannie Sangiacomo & Cavallo Point Lodge, Brian Walsh at Epic Steak – and to Jemma Cassidy at Banana Republic, a special thank you for the fabulous gift cards!
A sincere thank you to all our guests for joining us at this wonderful Luncheon supporting the work of The Ireland Funds. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our San Francisco Gala Dinner on Friday, March 6th, 2026 at the St. Francis Hotel.