Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
The eldest of six, I grew up on a dairy farm in Tubber, County Offaly, Ireland. I was the first person in my family to graduate high school. I am fiercely proud and appreciative of where I come from. While I loved the values, society, and family that life in rural Ireland provided me, I was always striving to be in a more urban environment, particularly an American urban environment.
My fascination with the United States began in 1984, the year President Ronald Reagan visited Ireland. While I had no sense of politics, I was glued to the television. I was drawn to this educated, sophisticated, eloquent person—and what he represented of the American Dream. He was alluring, and he gave the United States a great allure. Although likely a subconscious influence, it was then, as a young girl, that I set my sights on the United States.
On reflection, I’m a firm believer that neither I nor any other immigrant must choose one country over the other. You can love two countries. And I evoke the image of Janus—the Roman god with two faces—to reconcile my love for two countries.
To the ancient Romans, Janus was the god of gates and doors. One of his faces always looked backwards, to the past, ever mindful of where he had come from, of those who had come before. He recognized that, in times of adversity, he could draw on their strength. His other face perpetually looked forward, to the future, comforted in his knowledge of the past and the legacies of his ancestors. While the past was always in sight, he was not fixated on what was; instead, he looked to the horizon—focused on the possibilities of the future. Janus held the key to gateways between what was and what is to come.
Like all immigrants, Janus had multiple identities. As the mythical ruler of Latium, Janus was responsible for the Golden Age that brought trade, financial systems, and agriculture to the region. As the doorkeeper of the heavens, Janus was the route to all the other gods.
As an immigrant, I glean perspective from the duality of Janus. My Irish heritage provides a firm foothold from which to elevate. America represents a portal to a new future, to forge new relationships and unlock new ambitions.
Was there a particular trigger point that made you move to the U.S.? Can you tell us the story?
My first job out of college brought me to the United States. The job—an internship position with the Irish state agency Enterprise Ireland—was my dream job in two ways. Not only was it in the United States, but the mission of the organization resonated deeply with me, as the role centred on promoting Irish goods and services, ultimately developing the Irish economy. At that time, in 1993, there was a high unemployment rate in Ireland. So, my work was helping my peers get jobs.
Can you tell us the story of how you came to the U.S.? What was the experience like?
I came to New York by aeroplane with a one-way ticket, and an internship lined up. Decades earlier, another member of my family set out to travel from Ireland to the United States. On April 10th, 1912, my great-aunt, Bridget Henry, walked aboard the Titanic in Cobh, County Cork, wearing her Sunday best. Her goal was to work as a domestic servant in a grand house in America. Like her maternal aunt and eldest sibling, Elizabeth, Bridget wanted to move to Boston for a better life. She was not alone in that desire to move to the United States. Days before boarding the Titanic, Bridget wrote to her maternal aunt, saying, “. . . for the way it is home with the people is all to Boston they do go to.”
Bridget ended her note with a poignant conclusion: “Well, dear Aunt, this is the name of the boat—Titanic—I am going on. I hope you do meet. I will wear a black coat and skirt and a black hat with a black and white ribbon on it.”
On April 15th, 1912, she was one of the more than 1,500 passengers who perished only days into the journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
As I flew across that same water, I thought of her, for we were similar in age and ambition. Like my great-aunt, I was going to the United States for work. Like my great-aunt, I was courageous and determined. And like my great-aunt, I was intent on personifying the American Dream.
Is there a particular person you are grateful towards who helped make the move more manageable? Can you share a story?
I am forever grateful to the many wonderful teachers I’ve had in my life, particularly my teacher for kindergarten and first grade: Mrs Sheehan. Sophisticated, educated, and stylish, Mrs Sheehan was an inspiration. She developed in me the confidence that I could be anything—and anyone—I wanted to be. In essence, she gave me permission to dream.
When I was eight, Mrs. Sheehan tutored me in poetry recitations. I developed the public-speaking skills that are the foundation of my career, particularly in my work with clients, as a frequent event host, and participant in various media and podcasts.
While Mrs. Sheehan did not literally assist me on my move to the United States, she spiritually made it manageable—for she gave me the ambition, mindset, and confidence to make the journey.
So how are things going today?
Today, things are going well. I am happily married with two teenage sons, Finn and Emmet. We live in Manhattan. My husband—who is Irish-American—and I gave them Irish first names as a nod to their heritage. Their names are meaningful because your name is the first word of your story. I look forward to watching them craft their own scripts, and it is a great joy to see how they interpret their Irish-American identity.
Professionally, over the past decades, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a range of wonderful companies, managers, mentors, peers, and team members—all of whom have shaped my experiences and expertise in meaningful ways. I’ve learned a lot.
Currently, I am Global Chief Marketing Officer at Siegel+Gale, the global branding firm behind the “simple is smart” ethos. We are part of Omnicom Group, the leading global marketing and corporate communications company serving over 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries.
I have the honour of working alongside and learning from a brilliant team of colleagues and ambitious clients. My strengths as a leader, connector, and simplifier have made me highly influential in the marketing realm and, more broadly, the business world. I was honoured as The Drum B2B Marketer of the Year and am a Marketing Society fellow. Considered a marketing thought leader, I have been published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, and more. I am consistently recognized as a top CMO on Twitter, and I host a podcast, “How CMOs Commit,” where I’ve been joined by CMOs from some of the top brands around the world.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I am a passionate connector. One sphere in which my connecting power is expressed is through my work with WearingIrish, a groundbreaking platform that promotes awareness of Irish fashion design. Ireland is filled with designers who create apparel and accessories brimming with provenance, authenticity, and quality. As the creator of WearingIrish, together with many sponsors and supporters, I bring Ireland to the world and the world to Ireland. I use my platform to help provide these talented designers with access and exposure, utilizing my network and storytelling abilities to tell the untold story of Irish fashion.
I also connect people through my work at Siegel+Gale. One hallmark of my tenure at the firm has been my “Future of Branding” panels, in which I’ve hosted CMOs and marketing leaders from around the world. The discussions are the stage on which we amplify diverse voices and explore the role of brand. I posit that brands can be forces for good. So, by creating a forum for the marketing leaders of top brands to partake in conversations about such themes as sustainability, inclusion, and stakeholder capitalism, I am furthering the power of brands to change the world.
You have firsthand experience with the U.S. immigration system. If you had the power, which three things would you suggest improving the system?
Although I am no expert in immigration, I am an expert in simplicity. Overall, the bureaucracy and process of immigration in this country must be simplified. Only then can we add to this beautiful mosaic that is the United States of America.
Educate immigrants on their rights
Many newcomers to this country have little to no understanding of their basic rights—and this is through no fault of our own. Through clear, government-issued information resources—be they social media, videos, or door-to-door initiatives—immigrants can better understand their new rights and responsibilities. These definitive resources would offer clarity—a trait that is absolutely necessary when you are navigating the complexities of experiencing a new country, a new culture.
Make it easier for companies to sponsor visas
There’s a shortage of workers in America. Companies and businesses need talented workers to achieve their productivity targets. The benefit of hiring workers from outside of the United States is two-pronged. One, companies will continue to deliver products and services. And two, with a variety of perspectives and experiences, innovation will follow. Ultimately, immigrants help maintain the profitability and competitive edge of American enterprise.
Develop an intergovernmental cultural exchange
Art is universal. It can unite people around what we share. Artists of all kinds—painters, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and more—are storytellers, educating us about their cultures and the human condition. I propose an intergovernmental program to manage a cross-nation exchange of artists. It would do wonders in this divisive world, as we would all benefit from understanding each other.
Can you share the “5 keys to achieving the American dream” that others can learn from you? Please share a story or example for each.
Each journey—and every version of “the American Dream”—is different. And your privilege and circumstance impact both. For instance, I, as a white, English-speaking, college-educated woman, have had a very different experience than other immigrants. So, there are as many “5 keys to achieving the American Dream” as there are people in this country. These are the five keys that I feel: (1) Curiosity, (2) Competence, (3) Courage, (4) Conviction, and (5) Community.
Curiosity
Ask questions and never stop learning. To lose a sense of wonder is to lose a sense of betterment. As a leader, I strive to create a psychologically safe work environment in which others can be curious and are encouraged to ask questions and put forward ideas, even in draft form.
Competence
Be an expert in something. Having a skill and being ready to contribute will differentiate you from others. And be sure to continue to hone your craft. In my case, I pursued an advanced degree (MBA at Harvard Business School), strengthening my leadership skills and finding my voice as a marketer.
Courage
Have the courage to dream—and to dream big. You were already courageous to move, to build a new life in a new country. I had the courage not to reduce the allure of America to a childhood memory; rather, I—inspired by Mrs. Sheehan and my great-aunt—set out to make the bustling New York City my adopted home.
Conviction
Know what your values are and be proud of them. As an immigrant, this might take the shape of being proud of your heritage, as in my case with WearingIrish. Don’t subjugate your identity, for what makes the world interesting is not our sameness—it’s our difference!
Community
Join a community—and continue to join new communities that resonate with your changing identity/interests. And this might include expanding your identity. My community was often limited to age profile, marketing, or my alma mater. I’ve recently joined the WIE Suite and CHIEF, expanding my community and my understanding of women from other professional, ethnic, and racial backgrounds.
We know that the U.S. needs improvement. But are there three things that make you optimistic about the U.S.’s future?
I am very optimistic about the future of the United States. I draw that optimism from Generation Z, for it leans into the three themes that I think represent the future of the United States:
Greater appreciation for the many facets of one’s identity
Like so many immigrants, I have a multi-faceted identity: woman, mother, wife, friend, Irish, American, marketer, board member, creator. Gen Z honours our intersectionality, celebrating the many dimensions.
Greater awareness of the planet
With their focus on sustainability, Gen Z is aware of—and combatting—our toll on the planet. It recognizes that there is not one America; rather, each country—including the United States—is part of the broader whole.
Greater emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
Gen Z prioritizes DE&I imperatives, particularly at the corporate level. It rewards brands that implement DE&I initiatives and pressures those that do not. Gen Z asks the question that many generations have not: “How do we make our world more diverse, equitable, and inclusive?”
I offer one more thing that makes me optimistic about the future of the United States:
The United States is and will continue to be a nation of immigrants. Along with the hopes of achieving the American Dream, we bring superpowers. These qualities help us contribute in profounds ways.
We are self-reliant
We either choose or are forced to leave our countries of origin. To succeed, we either develop or strengthen our can-do attitude, solving problems and forging a new path.
We are perceptive
We pick up on unseen cues or risks that might go unnoticed. Like an animal removed from its habitat, we are hyperaware of our surroundings—using antennae to examine the world around us.
We are optimistic
Overflowing with hope, we always see possibilities. And even when we are deterred, we reinvent ourselves—intent on our enduring pursuit of living the American Dream.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this, especially if we tag them.
I, a lover of tea, would like to have a cup of Earl Grey with Ryan Roslansky, the CEO of LinkedIn. As an adept connector, I utilize LinkedIn and its incredible power to engage with members worldwide. I would like to meet Mr. Roslansky to brainstorm how to use LinkedIn as a launchpad for careers for immigrants. Perhaps LinkedIn could offer targeted training programs or connect immigrants with mentors in fields in which they are interested. In this way, LinkedIn could catalyze the American Dream and repeat the model elsewhere as well.
What is the best way our readers can further follow your work online?
Readers can connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter. I also encourage them to listen and subscribe to the How CMOs Commit podcast and check out WearingIrish and follow WearingIrish on Instagram.
They can also follow Siegel+Gale’s work and thought leadership on LinkedIn and Twitter.
