Episode 65: Hayley Dunn
EP 65 with Hayley Dunn from January 25, 2024
Hayley Dunn is President of the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke, a 70-year non-profit organization that plans, promotes and presents the annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade which annually welcomes over 400,000 in-person spectators and more than 1 million who watch it through its television broadcast.
In 2018, she was honored as the Rohan Award recipient, an award given by the Committee to a member who has made significant contributions to the overall success of the Parade. Prior to becoming President, Hayley served as Committee Spokeswoman and served as one of the hosts of the Parade’s television broadcast.
Hayley is the Manager of Corporate Citizenship at Eversource Energy where she manages the Company’s philanthropy and volunteer activities and the Eversource Foundation. She is proud to work with a Team that creates opportunities for Eversource to make a positive difference in our communities.
A native of Western Massachusetts, Hayley is a graduate of Providence College with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and public service, and a Master’s degree in public administration from Suffolk University. Hayley is also a 2015 graduate of Leadership Pioneer Valley and was recognized as one of BusinessWest’s “40 Under 40” in 2018.
In her spare time, Hayley enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, skiing and traveling. Hayley and her husband, Frank, are the proud parents of Frankie, Charlotte, Eloise and Harry.
During this episode, we dive into:
- The history of the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke
- Why Holyoke is the chosen location of the parade and activities
- All of the activities that happen throughout the weekend in March each year
- The year-long planning that goes into putting together this weekend
- How the Committee sources new entertainment
- Ways that the weekend benefits the Western Mass economy
- How the Committee plans for an influx of people and traffic
- Advice for spectators and attendees who are planning on attending the events
- How the Committee decompresses after the events each year
- An overview of all of the subcommittees
- How people can get involved
And more. Tune into this episode as we talk about all things St. Patrick’s celebrations!
Access the full transcript here.
Watch the episode on YouTube here.
Do you want to be a guest on Right Here in Mass? Fill out our contact form.
2 Comments
Hayley, as I sit here in the warm climes of the Caribbean, I can’t help thinking back to the beginning of The Parade as a member of the first committee, and planning for a wonderful celebration, I am amazed at what has happened in the ensuing 70 years!
The original committee was composed of energetic Irishmen from the city of Holyoke, who sought a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, not only as a celebration of our Irish heritage, but also recognizing and celebrating our Catholic religion, our Country, and a love for our City!
These celebrations and recognitions are represented each year by the choice of a Parade Marshal , who must satisfy all of the requirements of the Purpose of The Parade, but also exhibit the qualities of a person who has reached the summit of his or her life’s work, in the tradition of and the purposes for The Parade.
This year‘s Marshal satisfies, all of the requirements and more, of the purpose of this celebration!
Your leadership has exhibited the hard work, and accomplishments of somebody needed to take on the responsibility of Parade President! And to this date you have followed in the footsteps of the great leaders! In addition, you have gone over and above every expectation in the world of THE PARADE!
There are so many new events and new purposes for the parade that the responsibility of a president has gone over and above anything that was known in past parades.
Congratulations, and best wishes for the best parade ever!
This is such a wonderful comment! Thanks for sharing, Maurice!