Board

Meet the members of our volunteer board who work behind the scenes to put on all the events and connect the community.

Stephen Doyle

President

Stephen is of Irish heritage and grew up in the rolling hills of California. He moved to Seattle in 2016 and immediately found a sense of community with Irish Network Seattle. Working in brand marketing and storytelling he brings communications experience to the board to help share the events and community that bring our members together.

Joe McDermott

Vice President

Though a native of West Seattle, Joe McDermott has deep Irish roots. His McDermott family originates from Co Tyrone and his mother’s family, the Keohane’s, hail from Co Cork. Having first attended a family gathering in Ireland in 1994, Joe now visits Ireland annually to see family, lead political exchanges, attend film festivals, and conduct genealogical research. In his spare time, Joe bakes a mean Irish Apple Cake, takes Irish History courses at the University of Washington, and served as the Grand Marshall of Seattle’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in 2019.

Joe served as a member of the Washington State Legislature for a decade before being elected to the King County Council in 2010. Since not running for re-election to the Council in 2023, Joe joined the Irish Network Seattle Board as Vice President and is now the State Relations Director for King County.

Joe considers watching the sun rise over an ancient stone circle and being locked in a pub after hours to be essential life experiences.

Kate O'Neil

Secretary

Kate O’Neil is a second-generation Irish American and an Irish Citizen of foreign birth. She has 3 grandparents who were born in Ireland — from Kilkenny, Clare, and Kerry. Kate has been a member of the Irish Network for a long time (thank you auto-renew!) and was thrilled to see the call for volunteers for the board. She’s looking forward to meeting all IN members, families, and friends. She has lived in Seattle for 25 years and works as a consultant in Tech. She is also a muralist and painter.

Amy Gillespie

Treasurer

Amy is a Vermont native with many old family connections back to Ireland. An extended trip there 10 years ago brought her Irish heritage back to the forefront for her. Since then she takes every opportunity to learn more about Ireland’s history and culture. With 25 years working in the Seattle are tech industry, most recently at Starbucks, Amy’s related experience in all aspects of financial management made her a great fit for Board Member and Treasurer. She’s happy to be immersed in Irish culture, business and of course the social aspects of the Irish Network.

Caitlin Joyce

Business Chair

Since moving from the East Coast to Seattle in 2007, Caitlin has embraced her new home while finding ways to connect to her Irish heritage. With family roots in Galway and Cork, Caitlin is passionate about exploring Irish history and culture. She is eager to connect with the local Irish community and create events that celebrate and strengthen the ties between Ireland and Seattle.

Joseph Lane

Culture Chair

“I was born in Manhattan into an extended Irish-American family. All of my great grandparents were born in either Clare, Galway, Sligo, Mayo, or Waterford. I live in Redmond with my wife, Martha. Martha was the first non-Irish bride ever in my family but she immediately established her clan bona fides by giving birth to our first child on St. Patrick’s Day! We have raised three wonderful daughters who are now working in NYC, Salt Lake City, and Salem

I’ve had a deep, abiding interest in all things Irish since boyhood. Have made many trips to Ireland for both personal and business in my capacity as an international sales executive. I am a participant in the Glucksman Ireland House’s Diaspora Oral History Project at New York University. I am the co-author, with Danial Sullivan, of a college textbook on Small Business Management. I am CEO of the GovBizTeam, an advisory firm serving business enterprises wishing to sell products and services to government agencies.”

Kelly Mann

Strategy & Insights Chair

Kelly Mann is an Irish Citizen of foreign birth, and recently lived with her husband and twin sons in Ireland
after two years in Spain. When she’s not cheering for Team Éire at the Heritage Cup, Kelly leads
development strategy for Sotheby’s International Reality in the Northwest. Kelly is a land use lawyer and
advisor to developers, property owners, and investors to create great places in Washington State and
beyond. Kelly is honored to collaborate with and support the Irish diaspora on the Irish Network Seattle
board.

Additional Board Members:

Jackie Wade – Communications Chair

Judith Jacques – Community Chair

Quinn Bartlett – Membership Chair