By Business & Finance 
The Business & Finance Awards, in association with KPMG, have announced that philanthropist Loretta Brennan Glucksman will be honoured with the 2025 TK Whitaker Award for outstanding contribution to Ireland and public life.
This prestigious accolade will be presented at the 51st annual Business & Finance Awards, taking place in Dublin on Thursday, 11th December 2025. Ian Hyland, President & Publisher of Business & Finance, said:
“Loretta Brennan Glucksman’s lifelong support of Ireland and her unwavering belief in the power of culture, education and peace is both inspiring and enduring. Her unyielding philanthropic legacy has helped shape a modern, more confident Ireland and fostered deeper bonds with the Irish diaspora worldwide. In every sense, Loretta embodies the values of another great Patriot and Global Citizen, TK Whitaker Award.
Loretta Brennan Glucksman said: “Ken Whitaker was a kind and wise mentor to so many — I am sublimely fortunate to be able to count myself among them. I am deeply grateful to Ian Hyland and Business & Finance for this unique honor in Ken’s name.”
Loretta Brennan Glucksman
Irish-American philanthropist Loretta Brennan Glucksman’s name is synonymous with her incredible contribution to Ireland’s cultural heritage, educational advancement, and peace-building efforts. Her tireless work, over decades, to establish strong ties between America and Ireland has made her 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 comprehensively increasing the impact of the organisation and, under her leadership. The Ireland Funds celebrates its fiftieth anniversary since its founding in 2026.
Loretta Brennan Glucksman’s quiet diplomacy and unyielding support of Ireland has 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 going on to become an award-winning presenter and producer of news and public affairs for PBS-TV. This work further developed her life-long 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 with 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’s endowed an Irish cultural centre, Glucksman Ireland House, to New York University. Based in a beautiful house on 5th Avenue, it became a meeting point for Irish scholars, artists and intellectuals. Over the years, Loretta 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, to name a few.
In recognition of her service, she has received numerous honours, including honorary doctorates from several Irish universities, the Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Higgins in recognition of her Irish Abroad, and awards from organisations such as Concern Worldwide and the Ireland-U.S. Council.
Loretta Brennan Glucksman will receive the TK Whitaker Award at the 2025 Business & Finance Leadership Awards Gala. The Business & Finance Awards has hosted and honoured some of the most outstanding leaders of our generation including President Clinton, Kofi Annan, President Mary Robinson, Ursula von der Leyen, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Christine Lagarde and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
TK Whitaker Award
The TK Whitaker Award was established in 2016 to mark the 100th birthday of Dr. Thomas Kenneth (TK) Whitaker, the visionary 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 & Pat Hume and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Business & Finance Awards, established in 1974, is one of Ireland’s most prestigious annual business events, celebrating excellence in leadership, innovation and contribution to public life.
Nominations
Nominations for the 2025 Business & Finance Awards open now. For more information, visit the Business & Finance Awards website. For further details, contact priyanka.kotian@businessandfinance.com
