Assemblyman Matt Haney, leader of the Irish Caucus in the California State Legislature, is slated to speak at the inaugural Irish Roundtable in the Valley next month. The event, designed for the Irish expat and diaspora communities, will focus on the impact of AI on the world of work and will be held at Stanford University on May 9.
Haney, who represents San Francisco in the state capitol, is a prominent advocate for Ireland and the Irish peace process on the west coast. As a former Mitchell Scholar, he had a unique educational experience studying at both Galway University and Queen’s University Belfast in 2007.
American Irish Caucus (Credits: American Irish State Legislators)
During this time, he witnessed the historic alliance between Ian Paisley of the DUP and Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin, which played a crucial role in restoring the power-sharing executive at Stormont.
Reflecting on this transformative period, Haney expressed profound admiration, stating that witnessing the progress towards peace in Ireland had a lasting impact on him.
Returning to the State Legislature in a special election in April 2022, Haney has continued his advocacy work, now serving as Majority Whip in the State House and Chair of the influential Irish Caucus.
California’s Irish Caucus (Credits: Sky News)
In a recent podcast interview, he shared insights into his family background, highlighting his grandfather’s association with Martin Luther King and his mother’s influence on his strong sense of social justice.
The Irish Roundtable in the Valley marks a significant gathering, bringing together tech leaders from Ireland, North and South, along with Irish American peers in the Bay Area.
This event, the first of its kind in a decade, will facilitate discussions on technological advancements and collaboration opportunities between the Irish and Irish American tech communities.
Representatives from esteemed institutions like Galway University and Queen’s University Belfast will be joined by senior executives from Northern Irish tech companies, including Kainos, Options IT, and Unosquare, showcasing the breadth and depth of expertise present at the conference.
