Orla is an executive coach and leadership consultant passionate about empowering leaders to maximize performance, achieve results and bring more of who they truly are to their careers. Twenty years of leadership in finance, operations and strategy allow for a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to navigating organizational change and leadership development. Orla has become a trusted partner to executives in creating solutions for career and organizational challenges. In addition to individualized coaching Orla is a skilled facilitator working with executive teams to achieve team alignment, resolve conflict and successfully lead their organizations through change. Orla specializes in working with leaders to enhance executive presence, improve communication, navigate inter-personal issues and create followership through building trust and credibility. 

Orla received her accounting and consulting training at Deloitte and went on to hold leadership positions in finance, strategic planning and non-profits both in Ireland and the U.S. Orla is an adoptive mom active in educating herself in the challenges of being a transracial family, a keen advocate for DEI education to provide leaders with concrete, measurable actions to create a more inclusive culture.

Originally from Co. Meath, Garrett has lived in Chicago on and off for nearly 15 years. A DIT hospitality and Tourism Graduate, Garrett initially spent a number of years in the hotel and bar business in Chicago. He is now working as a Sales and Business Development Representative for Stuart Dean Company in Facilities Services. Garrett spends his time living in Oak Park with his wife Katie and three children, Ciara, Liam and Fiona. He also is a member of the local AOH Chicago Branch.

A native of Ireland, Ken received a degree in business and finance from Trinity College, Dublin. Ken spent several years in the English and Irish Banking industry prior to immigrating to Chicago in 1994. After a number of years working in banking, Ken made the transition into real estate in 2000 and is one of Chicago’s most sought after real estate professionals–consistently ranked among the top 1% of Brokers for closed transactions by the Chicago Association of Realtors.

Imelda grew up in Galway and lived in Dublin, qualifying as a Barrister, before returning to her native Chicago. She is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and is responsible for Project Operations in a design engineering company that specializes in building fiber networks for internet connectivity to businesses and residences nationally.

Imelda served on the IN Committee for over 10 years and held the offices of IN President, Treasurer and Secretary at various times during that time before becoming an IN Advisory Board Member.

Edward Galvin is a responsible for North America  B2B  Commercial Payments Sales at Visa.   This role involves working consultatively with card issuing partners to grow Large & middle market commercial card portfolios and to ensure the optimal deployment of Visa solutions to support both the card issuer and end corporate needs. 

In prior roles at Visa, Edward has been responsible for US Large Market product setting the strategy and executing on commercial product initiatives to grow the large market segment.   He has also managed the Engagement and Expansion team for Visa Business Solutions in Europe.   Edward initiated his career working as a Management Consultant for Deloitte in London, UK. Prior to joining Visa, Edward held a Sales Consulting position with First Data. 

Edward graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Science degrees (Accounting, Finance & Information) from University College Cork, Ireland.  Edward is an avid marathoner and runs an annual 26.2! He is an active mentor and a certified Co-Active Leadership coach.  Currently Edward mentors with American Corporate Partners supporting veterans transition to careers post their service.  Edward is a champion if Irish American community activities via his role on the IN Advisory Board and he is President of the Chicago Irish Film Festival.

“Whether we like it or not, it’s in our blood,” exclaims Clodagh Lawless, Partner at Chicago’s beloved restaurant The Dearborn.  For the Irish-born entrepreneur, a deep-rooted love of genuine Irish hospitality evolved naturally as her true calling.  
 
At a very young age, Lawless engrossed herself in the meaningfulness of their family’s trade at her parent’s popular restaurants and hotel in Galway, Ireland. There she got her hands wet washing dishes, tending bar, and assisting wherever necessary. Yet in an effort to forge her own identity, she attended the National University of Ireland Galway and focused on economics and Spanish before graduating as Valedictorian of her Masters cohort at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. 
 
A visit to the States in the late 90’s would change everything for Lawless and for her family, pulling her back to restaurant life. After spending a summer at a pub in suburban Chicago, Lawless returned to Galway to convince her parents and siblings to sell everything and follow her abroad to Chicago. They did just that and opened The Irish Oak in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood, where Clodagh—fresh off a post-graduate degree in sales and marketing—found her place shouldering much of the pub’s operations and administrative duties. 
 
Lawless would then assist in the opening of other acclaimed family-run venues The Gage and Henri (later to become Acanto), located in a prime downtown location on Michigan Avenue. Although she helped in all facets of the restaurants’ day-to-day tasks, she spent this portion of her career refining her understanding of Chicago’s elevated, chef-driven dining landscape. 
 
Lawless soon became restless. In 2016, she set off to open The Dearborn, an ambitious venture in the city’s downtown Loop neighborhood at the corner of Dearborn and Randolph streets, with her sister Amy.  
 
Opening a restaurant with a sibing is a special, if not complicated, venture.  
 
Only three years apart in age, the two forged a close professional bond through a uniquely camaraderous approach. “Working with my sister is a dream,” remarks Lawless. She attributes the strong professional bond to complete honesty and shared vision.  At the beginning of their business relationship, each addressed respective strengths and weaknesses, sensitivities, and areas where the other excels.  They designed a unique approach based on a strong division of responsibilities that matched their personalities and contributions.   

“Every day I am guided by the passion and purpose of the people that work for us. It is inspiring.  From chef to GM to bartender to our bussers to all those far more talented than me, it’s humbling,” shares Lawless.   

Clodagh lives in the Portage Park neighborhood of Chicago, where she, her two young sons Jack and Gavin, cheer on the Chicago Cubs with dad Colm.  
 
After all of these years, Lawless was proud to be naturalized recently as a United States citizen. Clodagh, alongside sister Amy, was also honored recently as the outstanding Professional in Restaurant and Hospitality by the Professional Irish Women of Chicago. She serves on the Executive Board of the Illinois Restaurant Association and also serves on the Advisory Board of the Ireland Network Chicago.
 
“I believe in genuine kindness -- as the best strategy in life and in business,” remarks Lawless. “While it may sound cliche, I cannot imagine a future without it.” 

Ray McEntee, a licensed U.S. attorney and qualified solicitor in Ireland, England, and Wales, leads the Sports and Entertainment Department at McEntee Law Group. He advises on visa and green card options for professionals in these industries and assists clients in obtaining Irish citizenship through foreign birth registration.

Donal O’Brien was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland.  He attended University College Dublin before emigrating to the United States.  He is a partner at the law firm of Bryan Cave Leigton Paiser, LLP where he focuses on mergers and acquisitions and corporate law.  He also teaches corporate law at Loyola University Chicago, School of Law.

Garrett Sheridan is CEO of Lotis Blue Consulting and specializes in working with leaders to develop and execute strategies that drive profitable growth and improve execution. Originally from Dublin, Garrett is a founding member of the Ireland Network.

Niamh leads North America Marketing at Avanade where bringing focus, creativity and the art of storytelling to help drive growth and business results. With a 25+ career that spans Ireland, France and the United States, Niamh is passionate about helping organizations tap into the power of marketing and communications to drive brand awareness, business value and results. Holds a BS in Business & Marketing Management from Trinity College Dublin.