By Business & Finance 
Pictured (L-R): Ian Hyland, President, Business & Finance, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, and Ryan McCarthy, Managing Partner, KPMG.
Last Thursday, the annual Business & Finance Awards took place at the Convention Centre Dublin, in association with KPMG. Loretta Brennan Glucksman was awarded the TK Whitaker Award.
By Héloïse Chaudot
On Thursday, 11 December 2025, the 51st Business & Finance Awards took place at the Convention Centre Dublin, in association with KPMG.
The evening shone a light on leaders of Ireland’s business community. Loretta Brennan Glucksman was particularly recognised, as she was awarded the TK Whitaker Award for outstanding contribution to public life in Ireland.
The award was presented by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, during which he said, “It will be no secret to anyone in this room or beyond that, Loretta, you have made an outstanding contribution to Irish life over the course of many decades, so I am particularly pleased that you were able to travel to Ireland and to be with us this evening, to see, to hear and feel at first hand the affection and the esteem in which you are held.
“The impact of your work is uniquely wide-ranging. From peace building to business, and from healthcare to the arts and education, you have made a real and lasting difference and impact.
“Loretta, this award, named for TK Whitaker, one of Ireland’s most innovative public servants, is symbolic of the way you yourself work; your discretion and your humility have been constant qualities as you have consistently and generously supported the island of Ireland and her people.
“In recognising you and your contribution, it would be remiss of me not to mention Lew, whom we miss dearly.
“It is a testament to the relationship you shared that it was Lew who first brought you to our island.
“We will be forever grateful that a man from the Jewish community in New York decided to reintroduce a daughter of Leitrim and Donegal, via Pennsylvania, to Ireland.”
Loretta Brennan Glucksman
Irish-American philanthropist Loretta Brennan Glucksman’s name is synonymous with her contribution to Ireland’s cultural heritage, educational advancement and peace-building efforts. Her work over several decades to establish strong ties between America and Ireland has positioned her as one of the most influential figures in Irish-American relations today.
Mrs Brennan Glucksman is Chair Emerita of The Ireland Funds America, which was founded by Tony O’Reilly and Dan Rooney and is now one of the largest philanthropic organisations in the United States. The Ireland Funds has raised nearly $600m in support of peace, culture, education and community development across Ireland. She has been instrumental in increasing the impact of the organisation and, under her leadership, The Ireland Funds celebrates its fiftieth anniversary since its founding in 1976.
Loretta Brennan Glucksman’s quiet diplomacy and unyielding support of Ireland have also helped advance reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland. Her leadership skills in the background of the Peace Process have been widely recognised internationally.
Loretta’s influence went further than diplomacy, though, as she provided support to cross-community initiatives that helped foster understanding, cooperation and long-term peace, including the funding of two integrated schools for students of both the Catholic and Protestant faith across Unionist and Republicans alike.
Loretta Brennan Glucksman was born to an Irish American family, with grandparents from Donegal, Leitrim, Carlow, and Ulster. She grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where her father worked in the US Public Service. She spent a decade as an English teacher before becoming an award-winning presenter and producer of news and public affairs for PBS-TV, further developing her lifelong interest in current affairs and politics.
Brennan Glucksman was a young woman when she first visited Ireland, the country of her ancestors, with her husband, Lewis (Lew) Glucksman. It was in 1989 when she and Lew Glucksman began their philanthropic journey in Ireland by teaming up with Chuck Feeney, billionaire founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies, to build a library for the University of Limerick.
In 1993, Glucksman endowed an Irish cultural centre, Glucksman Ireland House, to New York University. Located on Fifth Avenue, it became a meeting point for Irish scholars, artists and intellectuals. Over the years, Loretta Brennan Glucksman has served on the boards of the IDA, the National Gallery, the National Concert Hall, the National Library, Trinity College and the Abbey Theatre, among others.
In recognition of her service, she has received numerous honours, including honorary doctorates from several Irish universities, the Presidential Distinguished Service Award from former President Higgins in recognition of her service to the Irish abroad, and awards from organisations such as Concern Worldwide and the Ireland-US Council.
TK Whitaker Award
The TK Whitaker Award was established in 2016 to mark the 100th birthday of Dr Thomas Kenneth TK Whitaker, the economist and public servant credited with reshaping Ireland’s economic and social landscape. The award recognises individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on public life in Ireland and beyond.
Previous recipients include President Michael D Higgins, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, former President Mary McAleese, filmmaker David Puttnam, Sir Anthony O’Reilly, Peacemakers John and Pat Hume, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Business & Finance Awards, established in 1974, is one of Ireland’s most prestigious annual business events, recognising excellence in leadership, innovation and contribution to public life.
