PayPal's Ireland-based vice president of global operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa Louise Phelan has been awarded the Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Award by The Ireland Chamber of Commerce, United States (ICCUSA).
Phelan, who was successful earlier this year in securing a second operations centre and 1,000 new jobs for PayPal's growing European operations division, was presented with the award by Mr. Maurice Buckley, president, CEO, and Co-Founder of ICCUSA and Brian O'Dwyer, chairman of ICCUSA at the 24th Annual American Celtic Ball at The Pierre Hotel in New York City.
"I feel very honoured to have received such a prestigious award and to be following in the footsteps of so many great Irish business people. To be the first woman ever to receive the award makes it extra special. But I couldn't have done this without the support of my colleagues all around the world, particularly my team in Europe who all work so hard to make our European operations such a great success. This award is for them," said Phelan.
Maurice Buckley, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of ICCUSA, said: "Under Louise Phelan's leadership, PayPal is making an enormous contribution to Ireland's economy at a time when it is needed so badly. Huge efforts are being made internationally to attract jobs and investment to Ireland and PayPal has really stepped up to the plate in this regard. This award recognises that contribution and the hard work put in by Louise and her team. It also acknowledges the strong social contribution the company is making in the local communities in which it operates in Ireland. The ICCUSA has been very impressed by this and we are pleased to be able to acknowledge it with this award."
Also honoured on the night - themed 'women in leadership' - were former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and US Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley.
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