Iona University Alumna and Heineken USA CEO Maggie Timoney ’89, ’92mba, ’23h to serve as Grand Marshal of NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Iona University is pleased to congratulate Maggie Timoney ’89, ’92MBA, ’23H, CEO of HEINEKEN USA, on her selection as Grand Marshal of the 2024 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. On Saturday, March 16, she will become just the sixth woman to lead the historic parade in its 263-year history.
“Maggie was a leader during her time at Iona and she continues to pave the way not only for the Irish community, but for all who aspire to achieve success in both business and in life,” said Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. “It is always an honor for the Iona Gaels to march up Fifth Avenue. This year will be especially memorable as one of our own leads the way.”
As the first woman to serve as CEO of a major U.S. beer company, Timoney is widely recognized as a transformational, barrier-breaking leader.
A native of Ireland recruited to play basketball at Iona, Timoney earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies in 1989 and an MBA in organizational behavior in 1992. In 2001, she was inducted into Iona’s Goal Club Hall of Fame as one of the greatest women’s basketball players in the University’s history. At the time, she held the title for all-time leading scorer with 1,894 career points; she is currently third in the ranks.
Timoney has served on the Iona Board of Trustees since 2015 and regularly credits her time at Iona with helping to form and shape her leadership skills. In 2023, she delivered the keynote address at the University’s 79th annual Commencement ceremony.
LEGACY & TRADITION
Iona – hailed as “Irish America’s University” by the Irish Echo – has a proud Irish legacy that dates back centuries.
In 563 A.D., the Irish monk St. Columba established a monastery on the Isle of Iona off the coast of Scotland from which missionaries went forth to teach and evangelize. The monastery became a center of faith and learning that contributed significantly to the civilization and cultural development of Western Europe.
It was in the spirit of this heritage that another Irishman, Blessed Edmund Rice, founded the Congregation of Christian Brothers in the early 1800s. In 1940, the Christian Brothers established Iona in New Rochelle, N.Y., embodying opportunity, justice and the liberating power of education.
Connecting to this legacy, Iona looks forward to opening its new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, in May 2024, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate.
As is tradition, Iona’s award-winning Pipe Band will lead the Iona community up Fifth Avenue during the 2024 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, accompanied by the Irish dance team and members of the Iona community.
Alumni interested in joining the parade must register in advance online here.
Coverage of the 263rd New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on March 16 and can be viewed on NBC 4 New York, NBCNewYork.com or the NBC New York App.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.