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IBNI Extraordinary Meeting & Annual Ordinary Assembly

IBNI announces its new leadership for 2026.
📍Milan, December 11, 2025 – The IBNI, a non-profit organization promoting professional networking between Italian and Irish businesses, announces the election of its new Steering Committee, which will lead the organization’s activities in 2026.

✅Orla Ralph has been confirmed as President, supported by VP Alberto Rizzini.
✅The new Steering Committee also includes Maria Fitzpatrick as Treasurer and Mary O’Connor as Secretary.
✅Joining the new Steering Committee are: Deirdre Doyle, Elizabeth Francis, Michael McDonagh, Francesca Erba, Dony Horgan, Lucy Mulcahy, and Gavin Radford.
The renewal of positions comes at the end of a year marked by significant growth, with 70 members, including professionals and companies.
🔹Among ongoing projects, highlights include the establishment of the new Youth Membership Sub-Group, led by Lucy, aimed at attracting younger members, and 🔹the expansion of corporate partnerships, a strategic priority for the coming year.
🔹IBNI also plans nationwide networking events and closer collaboration with Irish diplomatic missions in Italy.

As 2025 has been a year of growth and consolidation for our network, the new Committee embodies professionalism, energy, and a strong spirit of collaboration.
We are ready to expand our presence in Italy and offer our members new opportunities for connection, training, and professional development.



































Orla Ralph

PRESIDENTE
Direttore di Kube Partners Italy

Manager con oltre 40 anni di esperienza, di cui 30 alla guida di filiali italiane di aziende internazionali di primo livello nei settori assicurativo, riassicurativo, dei servizi di emergenza e dei sistemi di pagamento, attualmente impegnato in soluzioni antifrode e rating di sostenibilità, con una forte passione per la comunicazione interculturale, l’etica, l’empowerment femminile e il networking.

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Alberto Rizzini

VICE PRESENIDENTE
Communication & Business Development Consultant

Ho vissuto all’estero per oltre 30 anni creando strategie ed innovando prodotti per Luxury Brand Internazionali. Tornato in Italia nel 2024, attualmente supporto le aziende Italiane ed Europee ad accelerare i processi di crescita.

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Maria Fitzpatrick

TESORIERE
Senior Program e Project Manager at Spindox SPA

Consulente IT senior con esperienza nel settore bancario e un forte interesse per l’Irlanda e il mondo del business, Maria è anche responsabile dell’Irish Club di Milano.

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Mary O'Connor

SEGRETARIO
Business Partnership Executive Tourism Ireland

Professionista irlandese esperto nel settore aziendale, con una solida esperienza nel marketing internazionale, nel turismo e nella gestione degli stakeholder, e oltre 20 anni di esperienza a livello multinazionale, supportata da titoli accademici in lingue e gestione del turismo.

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Antonia Marsaglia

ARBITRATOR
Avvocato

Antonia Marsaglia, con formazione anglo-italiana e abilitazione all’esercizio della professione forense a Milano dal 1980, dirige dal 1981 lo Studio Legale Marsaglia, specializzato nell’assistenza commerciale internazionale, con oltre 30 anni di esperienza in contrattualistica, operazioni societarie, contenzioso e arbitrato, operando in 24 Paesi grazie al network internazionale PLG da lei fondato

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John Roche

ARBITRATOR
Direttore Enterprise Ireland per l’Italia e la Grecia

Manager internazionale con esperienza in diversi contesti aziendali, specializzato in sviluppo delle risorse umane, relazioni pubbliche, comunicazione, sviluppo del business, strategie di ingresso nei mercati e finanziamento delle PMI, con un ampio bagaglio di esperienza maturato a Madrid, Stoccolma, Dublino e Milano.

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Vito Garofalo

ARBITRATOR
Business Development Advisor

Con oltre 40 anni di esperienza nello sviluppo del business internazionale, ho maturato competenze in ricerche di mercato, generazione di contatti commerciali, ricerca partner, gestione dei canali di vendita, project management ed organizzazione di eventi.

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Deirdre Doyle​

MEMBRO STEERING COMMITTEE
CEO, Property International

Sono di nazionalitĂ  irlandese, cresciuta in Tanzania e ora milanese; CEO di Property International, un’azienda immobiliare di successo a Milano specializzata nel mercato di nicchia per espatriati, banche, consolati e multinazionali, con uno staff multilingue ed esperienza pluridecennale, che punta su trasparenza, professionalitĂ  e discrezione in ogni tipo di proprietĂ .

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Elizabeth Francis

MEMBRO STEERING COMMITTEE
Architetto


Elizabeth Francis, architetta irlandese con base a Bologna e laureata con lode all’University College Dublin, dirige Atelier Francis Srl, promuovendo progetti culturali internazionali di architettura e design, con esperienza in importanti incarichi come Commissario del Padiglione Irlanda alla Biennale di Venezia e supervisore tecnico a Expo Milano 2015, ed è attiva in associazioni per la rigenerazione urbana sostenibile e il design industriale.

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Michael McDonagh

MEMBRO STEERING COMMITTEE

Architetto

Sales Manager esperto nel settore del packaging cartaceo, con competenze nella gestione clienti, sviluppo prodotti e gestione impianti, capace di creare relazioni durature e di lavorare efficacemente in team interculturali per raggiungere obiettivi comuni.

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Michael McDonagh

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER
Architect

Experienced sales manager in the paper packaging industry, with expertise in client management, product development and plant operations. Skilled at building sustainable client relationships and working effectively in multicultural teams to achieve shared goals.

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Elizabeth Francis

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER
Architect

Irish architect based in Bologna, graduated with honours from University College Dublin. Founder of Atelier Francis Srl, promoting international cultural architecture and design projects. Former Commissioner of the Ireland Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and technical supervisor at Expo Milano 2015. Active in associations dedicated to sustainable urban regeneration and industrial design.

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Deirdre Doyle​

STEERIN COMMITTEE MEMEBER
CEO, Property International

Irish by nationality, raised in Tanzania and now based in Milan. CEO of Property International, a successful Milan-based real estate agency specialised in the niche market for expatriates, banks, consulates and multinationals. The company relies on a multilingual team, long-standing expertise and a commitment to transparency, professionalism and discretion.

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Vito Garofalo

ARBITRATOR
Business Development Advisor

With over 40 years of experience in international business development, Vito has built expertise in market research, commercial lead generation, partner scouting, sales channel management, project management and event organization.

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John Roche

ARBITRATOR
Director, Enterprise Ireland for Italy and Greece

International manager experienced across multiple corporate environments, specialised in HR development, public relations, communication, business development, market entry strategies and SME financing, with significant experience in Madrid, Stockholm, Dublin and Milan.

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Antonia Marsaglia

ARBITRATOR
Lawyer

With Anglo-Italian training and active at the Bar of Milan since 1980, Antonia has led Marsaglia Law Firm since 1981, specialising in international commercial assistance. With over 30 years of experience in contracts, corporate transactions, litigation and arbitration, she operates in 24 countries through the international PLG network she founded.

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Mary O'Connor

SECRETARY
Business Partnership Executive, Tourism Ireland

Irish professional with a solid background in international marketing, tourism and stakeholder management, with over 20 years of multinational experience and academic training in languages and tourism management

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Maria Fitzpatrick

TREASURER
Senior Program & Project Manager, Spindox SPA

Senior IT consultant with banking-sector experience and a strong interest in Ireland and business. Maria also serves as head of the Irish Club in Milan.

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Alberto Rizzini

VICE PRESENIDENT
Communication & Business Development Consultant

Having lived abroad for over 30 years, developing strategies and innovating products for international luxury brands, returned to Italy in 2024. Currently supports Italian and European companies in accelerating their growth.

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Orla Ralph

PRESIDENT
Director at Kube Partners Italy

Senior manager with over 40 years of experience, including 30 years leading Italian branches of major international companies across insurance, reinsurance, emergency services and payment systems. Currently active in anti-fraud solutions and sustainability ratings, with a strong passion for intercultural communication, ethics, female empowerment and international networking.

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