SUPPORTING QUEEN'S MISSION IN AMERICA
The Friends of Queen’s University Belfast, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation founded in 1998 to support Queen’s University Belfast's mission in the United States. With a dedicated Board of Directors, the Friends promote philanthropic initiatives, enhance alumni engagement, and strengthen the University’s global presence.
Through their fundraising efforts, they provide essential support for scholarships, groundbreaking research, and innovative programs, ensuring that Queen’s continues to excel as a leader in education and research worldwide.
BOARD MEMBERS
President
MR JOHN O'DONOGHUE
John O'Donoghue graduated from Queen's University Belfast in 1981 with a BSc in Economics. As the Managing Director at Haight Capital in Washington, D.C., he brings extensive experience as a highly regarded executive in the financial industry.
John has actively fostered connections within the Irish diaspora in the United States, focusing on strengthening ties to Northern Ireland and Queen's University Belfast. Additionally, he is engaged in the private equity market, where he mentors young entrepreneurs to help them achieve their goals and supports various charitable initiatives, particularly those related to education and opportunity.
As President of the Friends of Queen’s University Belfast, Inc., John is crucial in advancing the University’s mission in North America by driving philanthropic initiatives, engaging alumni, and enhancing Queen’s global reputation.
MS ANDREA HAUGHIAN
Andrea Haughian graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1993 with a B.Sc. in Information Management and has completed postgraduate programs in San Francisco and Chicago.
As Head of Americas for Invest Northern Ireland, Andrea leads operations across the region, helping U.S. and Canadian companies establish successful nearshore operations in Northern Ireland. With a strong background in the Financial Services sector, she promotes Northern Ireland’s skilled workforce, cost advantages, and innovation ecosystem, driving economic growth through strategic partnerships and investment.
MR CONOR ALLEN
Conor Allen graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1996 with a BEng in Aeronautical Engineering. He is currently the Global Head of Enterprise Data Management Services at State Street, a leading American financial services and bank holding company with operations worldwide. Conor joined State Street in June 2017 as SVP in the Office of Architecture before assuming his current role.
Before his tenure at State Street, Conor served as SVP and Head of Market Technology at Rivada Networks. He has also held leadership roles at several prominent New York trading firms, including Cowen and Company. Earlier in his career, Conor worked at NYSE Technologies and Wombat Financial Software, gaining extensive expertise in financial technology. He began his career at Kainos, a Queen’s University Belfast spin-out company, where he built a strong foundation in technology and innovation.
With his extensive experience in financial technology and enterprise data management, Conor has become a recognised leader in his field, exemplifying the global impact of Queen’s alumni.
MR MARTIN GORHAM
Martin Gorham is Deputy General Counsel at Stifel Financial Corp., responsible for investment banking legal matters at its Keefe, Bruyette & Woods subsidiary. A Queen’s University Belfast alumnus, Martin earned his LLB (Law and Accounting) in 1993 before obtaining an LLM (Banking, Corporate & Finance Law) from Fordham University in 1999.
In addition to his time in private practice, Martin was lead counsel on Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) investment programs at the United States Department of the Treasury during the Global Financial Crisis.
MR GARETH KEANE
Gareth Keane is a Partner in the investment team at IQT, a not-for-profit global investment platform that accelerates the introduction of groundbreaking technologies to enhance the national security and prosperity of the United States and its allies.
Gareth’s career has spanned from engineering roles to venture capital investment. Before joining IQT, Gareth worked at Promus Ventures and Qualcomm Ventures. Before his time at Qualcomm Ventures, Gareth spent two years in the corporate development teams at National Semiconductor and Texas Instruments, focusing on strategic investments, corporate M&A, and corporate strategy. Previously, he worked at PMC-Sierra and several other technology firms in engineering and engineering management roles across Europe and North America's hardware and software domains.
Gareth holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management. He also possesses a PhD in Electronic Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast and a BE in Electronic Engineering from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Additionally, Gareth is a Kauffman Fellow and a member of Class 15.
MS KAREN MCMONAGLE
Karen McMonagle is a financial executive with over two decades of experience. She serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Corsair Capital, where she oversees strategic initiatives and financial operations.
Previously, she held leadership roles at The Carlyle Group for 12 years and was a director at KPMG, working in Dublin, Chicago, and Buenos Aires over 11 years. McMonagle holds an LLB in Law and Accounting from Queen’s University Belfast and a Diploma in Arbitration from University College Dublin. She is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a member of the Irish Tax Institute.
Karen was actively involved in community organisations and was a board member of the Ireland Network Chicago from 2006 to 2010 and the Irish Network DC from 2012 to 2016. She played a founding role in developing Ireland Network USA, the umbrella organisation for all Irish Networks across the US. She has been engaged with The American Ireland Funds since moving to the US and enjoys giving back to her Galway and Queen's community.
MR HUGH ARMSTRONG
Hugh Armstrong is a Denver-based accountant with a degree from Queen’s University Belfast. Before his recent retirement, Hugh was an assurance partner at PwC, providing accounting and advisory services to financial services organisations. Beyond his career, he and his wife, Jean, support local nonprofits like Clothes to Kids Denver, Escuela de Guadalupe School, and the Denver Ballet Guild, reflecting his commitment to finance, community service, and the arts.