Clodagh Boyle heads up development communications and engagement with the Irish American Partnership—a US-based nonprofit that connects its supporters to their Irish heritage through targeted giving to schools, scholarships, and community programs throughout Ireland. Based in Boston, Clodagh is part of a lean team that has raised tens of millions of dollars. She also serves as a board member and adviser to other not-for-profit organizations. Here’s how she gets it done.@Irishaporg
Q 1. How does your normal day begin?
I’m an early riser by design, not by default. The first thing I do is a glance at my calendar, news headlines, texts, email, and weather to come up with a plan for the day. As I live with a foot in both Ireland and the U.S., I will usually have messages to wake up to. This is before things get hectic with the school run—fueled by coffee.
Q 2. What are your biggest daily challenges?
We pivoted to Zoom meetings and large-scale virtual events early last year, though thankfully we’re now moving away from working remotely and getting back to an in-person time with colleagues and donors. The view from your desk is a creativity killer, and so it’s great to be able to get out on the road to meet people and gather opportunities.
Q 3. What do you love most about your job?
One of the many reasons I love what I do is that there’s no typical day. I may be hosting an annual [or impromptu] event around the country—supporting Irish Women’s Leadership, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, or honouring a business and civic leader—meeting with a supporter, developing our Leadership Mission visit, or producing an Impact Report detailing the success of one of our programmes. The Partnership has become self-sustaining with 100 cents of every dollar raised going directly to Ireland. We enjoy our donors’ trust to steward their giving and can draw a straight line from a gift to a grantee. There’s something wonderful about this diverse group of people – our team, Board, and supporters – pulling together with the same mission in mind and having such an impact.
Q 4. What do you do to relax?
As part of a smaller team, it can be difficult to switch off, so I try to be quite intentional with my time.
Damping down my Type-A tendencies and stepping away from my phone, it’s just about being together with my family and Rua the dog, cooking, and hanging out. I’ve recently started rowing and love how that repetition energizes and calms my mind.
Q 5. Favourite staycation destination in Ireland and why?
When we get home, we love to travel around Ireland exploring new places, meandering without a plan, as well as visiting the tried and true like Dungloe, in Donegal where my father is from. One place now etched in my heart is the town of Killarney and journeying around West Kerry towards the Skelligs. The people are warm, and the landscape is breath-taking and good for the soul.
Q 6. Favourite holiday destination worldwide?
There are so many places I want to visit, but it’s hard to beat all that you can experience in Rome. It fulfils all that it promises, and I’d love to go back with more time to savour the atmosphere, culture, and history.
Q 7. Favourite Business motto?
Do well by doing good. Also, as a communications professional I love Seamus Heaney’s: “If you have the words, there’s always a chance that you’ll find the way.”
Q 8. Advice for young business entrepreneurs?
Stay curious – learning is lifelong and it’s vital to keep challenging yourself. Say yes to all opportunities, and start to build your network early. And when you meet someone, think about what you can do for them rather than what they can do for you; the key is giving not getting.
Reach out to Clodagh on LinkedIn, or at clodagh@irishap.org.
