NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Iona University is pleased to announce that HEINEKEN USA CEO Maggie Timoney ’89, ‘92MBA will deliver the keynote address at the 79th annual Commencement ceremony on May 19, 2023. It will be Iona’s first Commencement since it transitioned to a University in July 2022.
“Iona University is honored to have Maggie Timoney, a distinguished and widely celebrated leader in the world of business, as a member of our alumni community,” said President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. “Maggie consistently and generously gives of her time, wisdom and energy on behalf of her alma mater. Her keynote address is sure to inspire future generations of Gaels to go out into the world, lead and continue to be of service in their chosen professions. My gratitude to Maggie and congratulations to the Class of 2023.”
A native of Ireland recruited to play basketball at Iona, Timoney joined HEINEKEN USA in 1998 as a national sales manager. Since then, she has held leadership positions in the United States, The Netherlands, Canada and Ireland, including general manager of HEINEKEN Canada; senior vice president of human resources in the U.S.; and CEO of HEINEKEN Ireland. Prior to joining HEINEKEN, she worked for Gallo and an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler.
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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.
Timoney earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Iona 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.
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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. She remains an active and engaged member of the Iona community, from speaking with students and offering career advice to attending alumni gatherings and hosting networking events.
“Iona was a pivotal time that helped shape me into the person I am today. Reflecting on my time there, I would not change a thing,” Timoney said. “I am incredibly humbled and so honored to speak to this year’s graduates.”
Iona University will host its 79th annual Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 10 a.m. on Iona's New Rochelle campus. Media are invited but must RSVP to Diana Costello, senior director of communications, at dcostello@iona.edu.
