Over 700 guests came together on May 1 to celebrate The Ireland Funds 47th New York Gala at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60. The Gala recognized the contributions of three outstanding leaders in the fields of business, healthcare, sports and equality.

The Ireland Funds Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to Pfizer and accepted by Chairman & CEO, Dr. Albert Bourla. Dr. Bourla leads Pfizer’s 80,000 global colleagues as they address some of the most significant health challenges of our time by delivering “breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.” Pfizer is one of Ireland’s leading employers and was among the first pharma companies to set up in Ireland where today it employs over 5,000 people in Cork, Dublin and Kildare. “The Irish spirit of resilience, inventiveness and community focus is what Pfizer also is all about and this is what The Ireland Funds strives to be: a force of good,” said Dr. Bourla. “The Ireland Funds has a long history of giving back to communities in Ireland.”

The Ireland Funds Humanitarian Award was presented to Sports Icon & Equality Champion Billie Jean King. With 39-time Grand Slam tennis titles, Billie Jean is one of the greatest athletes of all time and among many honors, received both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of her contributions to society, both on and off the court. As the founder of The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), The Women’s Sports Foundation and The Billie Jean King Foundation, Billie Jean has dedicated her life to championing equal rights for all and fighting injustice and discrimination worldwide. “Helping others and working for good should never be a hobby or a photo op. It must be a lifetime commitment,” said Billie Jean King. “I’ve always felt legacy is what others think about you. What’s more important to me is the quality of the contributions we all make. So, thank you to all of you for the contributions you make, for making a difference in the lives of others, and thank you for this meaningful honor.” The award was presented by Robert Kraft, Founder, Chairman & CEO of The Kraft Group and Founder of The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, followed by a fireside conversation with Norah O’Donnell, CBS News Senior Correspondent and “60 Minutes” Contributing Correspondent.

The Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Leadership Award was presented to Tom Quinlan, President & CEO of RR Donnelley. As President & CEO of RRD, a global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions, Tom leads RRD’s team of 35,000 employees in 30 countries across the globe. A champion of The Ireland Funds, Tom has played a pivotal role in advancing the work of the organization through this leadership, generosity and commitment to its mission by serving on the Board for almost a decade. “It is an honor to accept this award from the Quick family and The Ireland Funds and to join the ranks of so many great corporate leaders who have received it before me,” said Mr. Quinlan. “Success carries responsibility — to lift others, to strengthen communities, and to be of service. As a Board Director, it has been a privilege to give back and personally see the impact The Ireland Funds has in communities right across the island of Ireland.  In that spirit, I accept this award not as a culmination, but as encouragement to continue.”

“Our New York Gala is an extraordinary opportunity to not only thank our donors for their commitment, but to recognize our honorees’ great accomplishments, leadership, and vision,” said Caitriona Fottrell, President & CEO of The Ireland Funds. “Since we gathered last year, The Ireland Funds has invested over $28.5 million in support of over 330 nonprofit organizations across the island of Ireland as well as in the local New York area. This event truly makes an impact in our communities here and across the Atlantic, and we are immensely grateful to our friends and supporters who helped make it such a success.”