2024 Homecoming Honorees

Robert D. Ladner, PhD was appointed to the post of Reader in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast in 2015.

Dr. Ladner was awarded his MSc and PhD from Rutgers University/The University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey, where he performed his graduate research. It was during this time that Dr. Ladner identified and characterized the sequence of human dUTPase and its variants and was among the first to unravel the complex mechanisms and cellular consequences of the uracil-DNA misincorporation pathway and the mechanisms of resistance to a class of chemotherapies known as thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitors. This was closely followed by the first report of a strong association between dUTPase overexpression and clinical resistance to 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer.

In 2004, Dr Ladner was subsequently recruited to the post of Assistant-Professor at the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center where he initiated a collaborative drug development strategy to develop novel chemotherapeutics targeting uracil-DNA repair and to develop new synthetic lethal strategies that exploit the uracil-DNA misincorporation pathway during treatment with TS inhibitors. In 2014 Dr. Ladner became Founder and CEO of CV6 Therapeutics, a drug development company dedicated to developing novel treatments to improve the effectiveness of currently approved cancer drugs and inflammatory conditions.

Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan is the University Provost at Ulster University. 

Cathy has worked in Higher Education for 27 years, having also served previously as Deputy-Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact) and Research Institute Director. 

Cathy is a Professor of Politics with research interests in political elites, peace processes, the politics of divided societies, public policy and governance and in 2021 was appointed by the Minister for Finance (NI) as a fiscal commissioner in the Independent Fiscal Commission for Northern Ireland to consider the case for increasing fiscal powers available to the NI Assembly.

Cathy has a first-class honours degree in politics from Queen’s University, Belfast; an MPhil in Modern Middle East Studies from Oxford University; and a PhD in History and International Affairs from Ulster University, as well as being a UK Kennedy Scholar in the JFK School of Government and Public Policy at Harvard University, USA.

As a qualified Chartered Director, Cathy has extensive non-executive and board experience having served as either a Trustee, Director, Board Member or Advisor on a wide range of external bodies and organisations including ministerial appointments to DLUCH’s Levelling Up Advisory Council, UKRI’s Research England, and the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation (MLKDC), as well as appointments to the Boards of Studio Ulster Ltd, and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce at present.  Previous roles include those in Innovation Ulster Ltd; Catalyst Inc; Matrix – the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel; Health Innovation Research Alliance (HIRANI); Northern Ireland Science Park Holdings; the National Executive Committee of the UK’s Political Studies Association (PSA); Universities UK’s International Research Development Network; and the UK government’s BEIS advisory body on EU Exit, Universities, Research and Innovation. She is also Chair of the Advisory Body for UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE).

Awarded an OBE in 2020 for services to higher education in Northern Ireland, Cathy is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS), and a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

David John Montgomery has a long history in the newspaper industry. Most recently, he was chief executive of Local World, an aggregator in the regional news area which was acquired by Reach (formerly Trinity Mirror) in 2015. Local World had been formed in 2013 by a merger of regional media companies of DMGT and the Yattendon Group, publishing around 100 regional newspaper titles and associated websites.

David served as an editor of News of the World and as an editor and managing director of Today newspaper. He founded Mecom Group in 2000 and served as its chief executive until January 2011. At Mecom Group, he worked on several acquisitions to establish one of the leading European publishing and content businesses, delivered substantial cost savings and began to develop a new, flexible operating model fit to take commercial advantage of on-going changes in consumer behaviour, which saw particular success at Edda Media in Norway.

Prior to Mecom, David was chief executive officer of Mirror Group from 1992 to 1999, where he oversaw substantial restructuring and acquisitions culminating in its merger with Trinity to become Trinity Mirror.

David served as a director at the Press Association from 1996 to 1999, RSDB (one of Europe’s largest print businesses) from 2006 to 2009, Royal Wegener (a large Dutch news publisher) from 2007 to 2011, and Scottish Television from 1994 to 1998. He graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast in History and Politics.

David is chairman of Local TV, a network of eight public service broadcasting city channels.

Harley began her career at CME Group’s Belfast hub working in analytics before moving to Options in 2019 where she has since worked with global financial clients in Belfast, Singapore, Dublin, London, and New York. As an integral member of the Options M&A team throughout several acquisitions Harley spearheaded the market data synergies integration globally. As Director of Data Solutions Harley has made her career from pushing the boundaries to optimize and innovate the Options product offering and processes in a quest ensure their clients’ stay ahead of the curve with efficient and cutting-edge solutions.

Maura Clare fell head over heels in love with Belfast in the late 1990s, when she traveled to Northern Ireland to research a writing project. She has visited, on average, annually since then and has been deeply gratified by countless friendships and unforgettable experiences (read craic) in her “home away from home.” Professional  opportunities have appeared as if by magic, including those that led to her current iteration as creator and CEO of Smuggling Nun Irish Poitín. Clare developed SmugNun’s award-winning liquid based on mentoring she received from a retired bootlegger in the Glens of Antrim. Helpful guidance from Invest Northern Ireland led to very fruitful, ongoing collaboration with Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee, County Down, where Smuggling Nun is distilled bespoke to her recipe. And of course Aisling Events has been the source of many satisfying connections in our cross-Atlantic community.

Prior to entering the liquor industry, Clare built support for events, causes, and organizations through recruiting, programming, communications, and resource development. She directed literally thousands of high profile events over 20 years, engaging community in vital causes and inspiring experiences. She has produced public forums and private gatherings around the widest range of interests, endeavors, and personalities: artistic performances, international affairs, politics, science and technology, environment, speeches by politicians, authors, media personalities, scientists, rock stars—and also some notable presenters from Northern Ireland (storyteller Liz Weir, a celebrated DJ, well known BBC presenter…). Clare is especially proud to have had involvement with events featuring President Joe Biden and former Irish President Mary McAleese.

Clare is looking forward to launching Smuggling Nun in Europe via a limited company based in Northern Ireland in the future. Her partner also has an interest in establishing a European base for his start up, a medical technology company, in Belfast.

Michael Carroll joined the law firm of O’Dwyer & Bernstein, LLC in 1998 and became Of-Council to the firm in 2004. He is a founding member and president of The Council For American Irish Relations (C-Fair), an organization dedicated to educating U.S. elected officials and the public regarding the Good Friday Agreement and that agreement’s full and proper implementation. In furtherance of that objective C-FAIR has organized delegations to Ireland with: U.S. Senator’s Hillary Clinton, Kirsten Gilibrand, NYS Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, NYS Comptroller John Liu, Westchester County Executive Andy Spano and numerous delegations with the NYC Council. In addition C-Fair arranges for Irish Interns to serve at all levels of US public office, including the US Senate, Congress and also at the State level, additionally US students have been placed to intern at the Oireachtas.

Mr. Carroll is the former Northern Ireland Political Liaison to the Brehon Law Society, a former Chairman of the NYS Trial Lawyers, labor law committee and Board member of the African American Irish Diaspora Network.
He is the 2022 Irish Echo Champion of Civil Rights Northern Ireland honoree and the 2024 Great Irish Fair of New York, Paul O’Dwyer Memorial Award Recipient.

Michelle Thomas is the Hotel Openings Manager at B Corp certified real estate developer and investment company Lamington Group, having overseen the launch of room2 Belfast in October 2023, the latest opening from the pioneering hometel brand, room2. Thomas has over 20 years of experience under her belt in various hospitality roles including those in front of house, reservations, revenue, and prior to her current role, Thomas was the General Manager at sister hometel, room2 Southampton.

Thomas is a commercial, dynamic and seasoned hospitality professional with proven leadership skills and management experience, including overseeing revenue matters, guest satisfaction, and effective project implementations as well as overseeing the performance of all hotel departments, ensuring these are in line with the strategic planning and high-quality standards of the room2 hometel brand.

As Hotel Openings Manager, Thomas is responsible for managing the pre-opening processes for all new room2 hometel openings, working on operational and supplier partnerships, hiring, training and developing teams that deliver positive customer experiences, building brand engagement in local areas, and more.

Thomas has been instrumental in the triumph of the opening of room2 Belfast, which has received stellar guest reviews and became the no.1 accommodation option in Belfast on Tripadvisor within the first four weeks of opening. Alongside day-to-day duties, Thomas has also worked closely with the local community in Belfast to support local talent and suppliers by providing them with a platform to showcase and celebrate their work.

Passionate about hospitality, sustainability and using her role within room2 to drive positive and progressive change for the industry, Thomas has established herself as an inspirational newcomer in the local area and created an influential community in the heart of Belfast City.

Following the success of room2 Belfast opening, Michelle has been promoted to a new role of Head of Experience for the Lamington Group, ensuring the experience is at the forefront of everything we do.

Mick and his wife Robin split their time between Australia and Northern Ireland. Mick was born in Killeavy South Armagh and emigrated to Australia when he was a child. Mick and Robin founded Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure in 1994, which has grown into a team of 800 skilled employees delivering the complex infrastructure needed to build better communities working predominantly in Australia and New Zealand. Abergeldie design and construct dams, bridges, tunnels, shafts, water and wastewater process facilities, rail infrastructure including track laying, marine works, pipelines installation and rehabilitation, as well as delivering industrial and commercial buildings and restoring heritage buildings and structures

Mick and Robin bought the derelict Killeavy Castle in 2013 and after a meticulous restoration project opened Killeavy Castle Estate in 2019. Killeavy Castle Estate was named AA Hotel of the Year Northern Ireland 2023/24 and Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Business of the Year at the prestigious Business Eye Sustainability Awards in 2024 which honour businesses and leaders in Northern Ireland who are driving impactful sustainable change within their sectors, recognising their positive contribution and efforts to create a more sustainable environment for all.

Nestled amidst the slopes of Slieve Gullion in County Armagh, Killeavy Castle Estate has pioneered the integration of hospitality and sustainability across its hotel and 365-acre estate since its inception. The estate’s dedication to eco-friendly practices since it opened its doors in 2019 has consistently led the way in eco-tourism, illustrating its commitment to sustainable operations such as comprehensive zero-waste food program, a strict single-use plastic minimisation policy, and extensive recycling initiatives. Killeavy Castle Estate has invested in sustainable energy solutions throughout the hotel and is installing a significant solar panel project which will help it meet its goal of maintain the carbon neutrality, based on scope 1 and 2 emissions, the Estate achieved in 2023.

In 2022, Killeavy Castle Estate embarked on an ambitious and important £1.5 million landscape restoration project to enhance the biodiversity of the Estate and broader Slieve Gullion region. The project will create over 200 acres of native woodland on the slopes of Slieve Gullion, South Armagh, with native woodlands nurtured, regenerated and planted following a collaborative partnership agreed between Killeavy Castle Estate and the Forest Service of Northern Ireland. The partnership agreement also facilitates the development of public walking paths in the area in co-operation with Newry Mourne & Down District Council and woodland planting and regeneration in consultation with the Woodland Trust.

For more information about Killeavy Castle Estate, please visit: www.killeavycastle.com/

I am a repeat fintech founder working on something huge with an amazing group of people. Our new company is currently in stealth mode. I look forward to telling the world about all we are building soon. We are based in Santa Monica, fully funded by excellent investors, and hiring in many roles. Stay tuned!

Additionally, I volunteer time as a mentor at Stanford StartX where I coach early stage companies on fundraising and enterprise sales strategy. Helping great teams change the world is one of my true passions in life.

I am an active venture investor in the fintech and enterprise software arenas. I invest directly and also through Fin Capital and TTV Capital.

Born in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland, Rodney Dickson graduated from the Liverpool College of Art in 1983 and moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1997. He has traveled extensively in Asia, including China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, holding solo exhibitions globally. Dickson is the recipient of two Pollock Krasner Foundation Awards and a John Moores Exhibition prize. His work is held by numerous public institutions, including the Hanoi Art Center in Vietnam, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Arts Council of Great Britain, the Ulster Museum, the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State University, Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin, and the Haensa Temple Museum in South Korea.

Duce Construction Corp is a full-service Builder & Construction Management firm, Established in 1990. Duce is a dedicated team of highly experienced construction managers, builders, craftsmen and draftsmen who work alongside brilliant architects and designers to bring their visions to life. Duce has multiple levels of expertise in structural and mechanical trades, design engineering, millwork & carpentry, stone & tile, metal & glass and finishes. Duce specializes in constructing and renovating high-end projects, retail, luxury apartments, townhomes, and estates in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.  

Many projects have been highlighted in top architectural and home magazines such as The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Classic Home, Interior Design, Metropolitan Home, House & Garden, Bathroom Trends, Elle Decor, Home Video and various other trade related publications. In addition, Duce is proud to be featured in the article “Best Building Pros in America” in This Old House Magazine, as well as Downtown Magazine’s “Kitchen Confidence”.

Rory is well known and respected within New York’s Irish community and is a concerned participant. He has been honored by multiple associations including The Armagh Association, The New York Irish Center, New York Emerald isle Immigration Center. He received the Irish Voice top fifty best business leaders. The Irish Echo, top fifty best Irish businesses. Marty Walsh, the mayor of Boston, honored Rory with the “Irish Business Big IMPACT” award in 2019. He has received proclamations from the City of New York for his outstanding contributions and service. Rory has also received numerous awards from several NYC Building Manager Clubs.

Rory has donated his time and workforce to help the Kips Bay Children’s Charity, which was published in the New York Times. He is in support of multiple organizations such as, The Thorne Tree Project, Hope Warriors Children’s Charity, Happy Hearts Fund, 9/11 Memorial, Environmental Business Association of the City of New York and GLAAD. He is also a board member for the prestigious Downtown Magazine and The New York Irish Center.

Dr. Tina Shenouda is a leading clinical expert in the geriatric healthcare industry. 

Dr. Shenouda knew very early she would follow in the footsteps of her physician family and pursue her passion for medicine.   She studied at University College Dublin and received her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Obstetrics degrees and then attended her mother’s alma mater, Trinity College to complete a master’s in business administration.  Although departing the Irish Isle was bittersweet, she made her way back to the Lonestar state to complete her residency and fellowship at the University of Texas Health Center. 

Dr. Shenouda has gone on to lead multiple large physician organizations.  She served as the Chief Medical Officer for the fortune 50 health insurance giant, Humana’s care delivery organization.  She has also held multiple chief executive positions for physician groups including Chenmed, WellBe Senior Medical, and Curana Health.   With an expertise in population health management and value-based care models, her track record for developing clinical governance frameworks to improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary utilization is exemplary.

Outside the office, she is a competitive golfer, aviator and enjoys travelling back to the UK and Ireland in her spare time.

An experienced maritime executive, Tom is a leader in his field.  He currently holds the position of Executive Vice President at Red Hook Terminals.  Red Hook Terminals is a multi-faceted Terminal Operator, Stevedore, and Cross Harbor Barge Operator with three facilities located within the Port of NY&NJ complex, as well as operations in  Baltimore Maryland, and Freeport Texas.

Tom has demonstrated leadership for labor by serving in various positions on the Board of Directors for the West Gulf Maritime Association culminating in Chairman and is also a Trustee for two International Longshoremen’s Association pension funds. He is a tireless supporter of Irish Echo’s Irish Labor Awards and an advocate for the new Belfast

In addition to an undergraduate degree in Labor & Employment Relations from Rutgers University, Tom has advanced his education by earning a certification in Strategic Management from the Wharton School of Business. 

Tom has been the recipient of several awards including Hyundai GLOVIS Vendor of the Year, Industry Leader, and Excellence in Maritime Security.  However, the most meaningful recognition was being honored by the Irish Echo with the “Top 40 Under 40” Award and Irish American Leader of the Year in 2021. In his spare time, he is a member/brother of both the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus.

Tony is a Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh as well as a former barman, steelworker, auto mechanic and university lecturer.  He first came to Northern Ireland in 1974 after meeting students from Belfast in Wildwood, NJ in 1973.  Since then, he has visited Northern Ireland many times. On a number of these trips, he brought University of Pittsburgh students to engage with politicians, victims’ groups and community organisations from across the political spectrum as well as people who were actively involved in the conflict. 

Tony joined the Business Education Initiative in 1996, now Study USA, and served as a volunteer counsellor until 2022. This programme, managed by the British Council, began in 1994 to assist the peace process. To accomplish this, it sends final year students from Northern Ireland to small liberal arts colleges in America, where they acquire the skills and confidence to enhance the economy and society back home.  For his part, Tony worked with 2500+ students preparing them for culture shock, for anything and everything they might experience in America, as well as how to adjust to the American higher educational system. Once the students arrived in America, he dealt with the many problems they encountered. 

In 2006 Tony began to study the political development of the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commando between 1973 and 1987 and the proposals they crafted to try and end the conflict. This resulted in his book, Northern Ireland’s Lost Opportunity: The Frustrated Promise of Political Loyalism.  It is now part of a permanent exhibit at the Action for Community Transformation Centre. While working on this book and after, Tony gave many talks to various organisations and groups across the political divide, including the 2012 Féile an Phobail where he spoke on the Loyalist prison experience.   

Born and raised in Dundonald village a few miles from Belfast, Trevor Marshall studied Mathematics at Queens University, trained as an Accountant with PWC and has various business interests in the Steel industry and Property Investment. Trevor has also a keen interest in history. While researching his family, he discovered that in order to escape religious persecution, one of his ancestors, the Reverend Robert Blair, led a party of 150 Presbyterians sailing from Groomsport in Co. Down destined for America in 1636. Trevor subsequently met the local well-known Composer, John Anderson, and learned that he had written a wonderful piece of musical theatre based on the story of that journey. Trevor and John formed a strong friendship and now the opportunity has arisen to launch the Musical in Philadelphia in 2025, just following St. Patrick’s Day. Trevor has forged some great relationships in the USA, particularly with those from the Irish community in Philadelphia and the production is receiving some tremendous support. It is Trevor’s intention that the show will tour around the States telling the story of emigration from an Irish perspective.

John sadly passed away recently, but Trevor intends that his legacy will live on through this wonderful musical  – WHERE EAGLES FLY.  

Zeneta B. Everhart is a Buffalo, New York native born and raised on the East Side of Buffalo. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Villa Maria College, where she studied Liberal Arts – Humanities, graduating in 2008. She then continued her education at Canisius College where she studied TV Production and Interpersonal Communication, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Upon graduation, she accepted a position with Spectrum News Buffalo, as a breaking news photographer, and eventually became a Producer. 

After six years of working in news and media, Zeneta made the career leap into politics, accepting a position with New York State Senator Tim Kennedy of the 63rd District, she served as his Director of Diversity & Inclusion; where her focus was on ensuring equity through legislation, community building, and the equitable distribution of resources. This was a position she took seriously, as she was charged with ensuring that the community in which she was born has a seat at the table. One of her greatest accomplishments in her role in the Senator’s office was the creation of Single Moms Club Buffalo; a support group for single moms. 

Following the 5/14 massacre that seriously injured her son Zaire Goodman, Zeneta testified before Congress about the need for stricter gun laws resulting in the passage of the Safer Communities Act; the first piece of gun legislation in more than thirty years. From this tragedy Zeneta & Zaire’s Book Club was also born. Zeneta and Zaire have collected more than seventeen-thousand books that teach children about racism, diversity, and acceptance in an effort to build a more inclusive society. 

In 2023 Zeneta ran for political office, winning the Democratic Primary and the general election to become the next City of Buffalo Common Council Woman for the Masten District, a seat that has not been held by a woman in more than 60 years. She is a Humanist who believes in the power of serving others through love and understanding.