Photos: Jim Quinn, President Emeritus Tiffany & Co., President Flax Trust / America. Honoree Dan Barry, Reporter and Columnist, New York Times. Sr Mary Turley, Director, Chair Flax Trust. Honoree Alison Metcalfe, Executive Vice President, Head of North America and Australia/New Zealand Tourism Ireland. Sr Mary Turley, Director, Chair Flax Trust.  Honoree Peter McGuire, Ambassador Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations Founder, Chairman, President and CEO Xchange Benefits.  Sr Mary Turley, Director, Chair Flax Trust and Tom O’ Brien, Chairman, President & CEO Sterling Bancorp, Vice President Flax Trust/America

Flax Trust/America Annual New York Luncheon held on Wednesday, October 8^th 2025 in The Links was Chaired by Tom O’Brien, Chairman, President & CEO Sterling Bancorp/Vice President Flax Trust / America.

Proceedings started with a cocktail Reception/music.  Tom O’Brien welcomed guests and invited Rev. Fr. John Anderson Vice President, Mission Integration Archdiocese of New York to give the invocation.

During the appetiser Tom O’Brien invited John Kelly, Hanover Stone Partners LLP, Director Flax Trust/America to introduce a video of Flax Trust Bursary recipient Sienna Whiteman (violin) performing with the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra.

After the main course Niall Murray, Managing Principal, CEO, Rockabill, Director Flax Trust / America gave a brief report – UCIT/Community Finance Group Ireland.  This was followed by a report from Ed McDermott Jr., President Emeritus, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Director Flax Trust / America – School for Social Enterprises in Ireland (SSEI) including a short video.

Tom O’Brien invited Jim Quinn, President Emeritus Tiffany & Co; President Flax Trust / America to introduce honoree Dan Barry, reporter and columnist New York Times.  Sr. Mary Turley presented the Flax Trust Award, Dan Barry responded.

Tom O’Brien invited Bill Byrne Senior Vice President of Global Sales for Aer Lingus to introduce honoree Alison Metcalfe, Executive Vice President, Head of North America and Australia / New Zealand Tourism Ireland.  Sr. Mary Turley presented Flax Trust Award.  Alison Metcalfe responded.

Tom O’Brien introduced honoree Peter McGuire, Ambassador Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations, Founder, Chairman, President and CEO Xchange Benefits.  Sr. Mary Turley presented Flax Trust Award.  Peter McGuire responded.

Tom O’Brien invited remarks from – Gerard Angley, Consul General of Ireland – Mel Lawrance, British Deputy Consul General and Chyanne Holmes, Deputy Director/Counsellor Northern Ireland Bureau.

Sr Mary Turley thanked sponsors and guests and Tom O’Brien closed the proceedings.