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Celebrating ‘Irish Echo’ 40 Under 40 with strong Killarney Roots.

A New York woman with strong Killarney connections has been named as one of the ‘Irish Echo’ newspaper’s ‘40 under 40’people to watch in 2021

Maura Whelan Spiegel from Pearl River, New York, the daughter of Kathleen Kelly Whelan, and granddaughter of Maureen Moriarty Kelly (RIP) from Countess Road, Killarney and New York was honoured with an Irish Echo 40 Under 40 Award.

The award honours the up-and-coming leaders of Irish America across the country who work in a variety of fields and occupations.

The hugely popular event is a celebration of Irish and Irish Americans who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of work before reaching the age of forty.

Professionally, Maura is the Manager of Project Management and Portfolio Services at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, a Law 100 legal firm. As an Information Technology specialist, she has a keen understanding of how to translate technology into value for a variety of companies – from international legal and financial institutions to small, innovative start-ups. Civically, Maura is the President of Mill Pond Reserve Inc, a 500-acre preserve of undeveloped woodlands in Pennsylvania.

"I developed my love of the outdoors and of conservation from exploring and hiking in the National Park in Killarney," said Maura. "There I witnessed the result of protecting wildlife and promoting biodiversity, and I knew I wanted to play my part in preserving nature for future generations."

She is married to Kurt Spiegel and has two daughters, Maeve and Niamh.

A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science, Maura was a performer and business manager of the university’s award-winning Acapella group, called the Rusty Pipes. Under her leadership, the group recorded four CD's. When she was younger, Maura played the fiddle and competed twice in the Fleadh Cheoil. Her goal is to install an appreciation of her Irish heritage in her daughters by continuing the tradition of regular trips to Kerry, and to Waterford where her father, Pat Whelan is from. "Growing up we travelled yearly to Ireland to visit family and it always felt like home away from home for me," said Maura. "I can't wait for us all to travel to Killarney again soon.