2022 Autumn Reception

On Tuesday November 15th, WIP hosted our annual Autumn Reception.  The rooftop level of Miller and Chevalier provided a welcoming space to enjoy the fellowship of friends and take shelter from the autumn rains. 

WIP’s Autumn Reception is not only a chance to gather with friends and enjoy Irish food, drink and music, it is also a chance to honor those of those who have demonstrated WIP’s core values. This year we recognized the service and leadership of Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason and Jim Carroll.

Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason assumed her role as Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States in August 2022. Geraldine was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in New York (2017- 22). Previously, she served as Ambassador to France (2014-17), Second Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) (2011-14), Ambassador and Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU (2005-11)), and Director of the National Forum on Europe (2004-05).

WIP was delighted to welcome Ambassador Bryne Nason to Washington DC and introduce her to the WIP community.

Jim Carroll is Senior Vice President of Global Government Relations for Honeywell where he leads a global team of professionals focused on shaping policy and regulations to drive sales growth and to improve the company’s competitiveness, supporting major contract pursuits in aerospace, oil and gas and infrastructure and securing favorable grants and incentives.

Jim has previously served as Chair of the Washington Ireland Program Board of Directors and is a founding member of the WIP Leadership Council. Jim has been a trusted friend and advisor to WIP, and we were proud to recognize him for his dedicated support.

We were delighted to welcome Nicola Skelly, WIP’s new Executive Director to DC for her first of many visits. Nicola has twenty years’ senior experience in higher level education, heading up the Vice-Chancellor’s office at Queen’s University Belfast, where she provided integral support on complex and sensitive issues, and has worked closely with global figures such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, whilst leading the development and implementation of the work of the Queen’s University Executive Board.

The evening also welcomed WIP’s newest corporate supporter, Ireland INC, which promotes Ireland’s expanding business interests across the United States. We were honored to be joined by Ireland INC’s founder and President, Ian Hyland, who offered remarks celebrating the beginning of this friendship and partnership.

Our Autumn Reception was made even more meaningful after a landmark $100k was raised to support WIP. Money raised from Autumn Reception goes to support the WIP Class of 2023 and future WIP programs.

Thank you to all of the sponsors and guests that helped make the night a success. We couldn’t do it without support from our many fantastic partners.

The Washington Ireland Program supports, inspires, and develops leaders from a wide range of communities and backgrounds who are committed to building a future of peace and prosperity for Northern Ireland and Ireland.

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