b'Bill McKiernan leads a plenary session panel at the 2014 Ireland Funds Conference in Belfast.Q. Bill, can you tell us about yourself? Share some background on your Irish roots and your current connections to Ireland?A.My paternal grandparents came to New York City from Ireland in 1906. They were both from Mohill in Leitrim. I grew up in Stuyvesant Town in lower Manhattan and was surrounded by Irish aunts and uncles who lived close by so I was exposed to Irish culture at an early age. Q. How did you come to learn about The Ireland Funds? What were your first impressions?A. I had heard about The American Ireland Fund, but didnt know thatQ. Ireland has been through a great deal over much about it until I attended a few events in San Francisco. I thenthe last few years and this is a time of great started to understand the fantastic impact that The Ireland Funds change for Ireland. Whats your prognosis for programs were having in Ireland and Northern Ireland improving the lives of those in need, promoting the arts and keeping the momentumIreland over the next few years?in the Peace Process.A.In many ways, the issues Ireland faces today are similar to theQ. Why is it important for you to support theissues the US and the rest of the world face: slow economic growth,work of Irish nonprofits when you now live assimilating diverse cultures, providing equal opportunity for all,managing public spending, etc. Ireland has a great foundation in its in the US? people. They are smart, hard working, well educated, comfortable with other cultures. There is no reason why Irelands best days will not be A. I think we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us andahead of it. owe a debt of gratitude to them. My grandparents came to the United States with nothing but the clothes on their backs. To the extent Ican honor their memory by helping Ireland, then that is an obligationQ. What do you see as the key focus for I happily accept. The Ireland Funds once the Promising Ireland Q. Youve been deeply involved with The Campaign concludes at the end of 2015?Ireland Funds Business Plan CompetitionA.I think the ongoing focus of The Ireland Funds is to stay true tosince its inception. Can you tell us more aboutthe mission and continue the course supporting programs of peace and that?How do you see it supporting entrepre- reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development neurship in Ireland and Northern Ireland? throughout the island of Ireland. I think that will keep us busy for a few more years!A. The best social program in the world is a job. Sustainable jobs are created by entrepreneurs. The more entrepreneurs there are the more jobs will be created. It is a very simple formula. I worked with TheIreland Funds to start the Business Plan Competition about 4 years ago when the Irish economy was in terrible shape. The hope was that we could inspire young people in Ireland to think about entrepreneurship and thereby help create jobs. It is a long-term project, but it can reap big dividends over time. Ireland is blessed with smart people, a strong education system, a good work ethic and a good geographic locationbetween North America and Europe. However, I have also found that the Irish culture is more risk averse than the culture in a place likeSilicon Valley. Risk is something with which entrepreneurs havetobecomfortable.TheBusinessPlanCompetitionhelpsyoungentrepreneursunderstandrisk,writebusinessplans,andthink about how to start a business. More importantly, it exposes them tosuccessful entrepreneurs in the US, Ireland and Europe so that they canunderstand what it takes to be successful, become more confident in their own abilities and appreciate that in entrepreneurship failure isBill McKiernanokay as long as you learn from it. connect2015 | 53'