Emily Norton Ashinhurst

Executive Director

Emily has dedicated her career to the nonprofit world working for missions she treasures on a personal level. From helping children achieve their potential, to aiding women on the brink of homelessness, to consulting with nonprofits on strategies for organizational growth and success, Emily feels fortunate to have made a difference in profound ways. She has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience in operations, development, marketing, and programming and has managed budgets from small to large. Emily’s family spent summers in County Kildare and is proud to be working with an organization that connects her Irish roots with her passion for the nonprofit world.

Una McDaid

Director of Community Engagement and Organizing

Una was born in Donegal, Ireland, but now resides in Havertown with her husband John and four children.

Una has a deep passion for her heritage, the Irish community, and the mission of the Irish Diaspora Center. She has served many years volunteering with many Irish fundraisers. Una co-chaired the successful Dancing Like a Star event for the Delaware County Gaels Youth Club and other local fundraising events. 

Una is proud to have been involved in bringing the "Darkness into Light" walk for suicide awareness to Philadelphia under the leadership of Leslie Alcock. Una chaired the committee and helped with the organizing of the walk. She also had the honor of communicating and working directly with Irish Senator Joan Freeman. The Darkness into Light walk committee evolved to form CHAT (Community Help Awareness and Trust), providing counseling services and support to our community members through the Irish Diaspora Center. 
 
Una is well known as an early childhood educator and has taught in the early childhood field for over thirty years. Her roles include lead teacher at The Haverford Center, Ardmore United Methodist Preschool, Educational Director of The Little Explorers Program at the Haverford Township Department, and Director of TLC Childcare Havertown. 

Una helped develop programs by bringing innovative ideas, establishing policies, and implementing changes. Her strong communication skills and leadership qualities have achieved much success and support from the community. Una has helped organize food drives for local charities, led youth groups, and planned events and youth choirs for the Irish community church services. Una co-founded Act One, a summer camp encouraging children to explore their talent and gain confidence by singing and performing in a natural, fun environment. 

Una studied Early Childhood Education at North West Institute of Further and Higher Education, Co. Derry, Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Studies IICP College, Tallaght, Dublin. Una received a diploma in counseling skills, coach approach to adaptive leadership training, youth mental health training, life coach training, First Aid, and CPR-trained Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance training for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect alongside over twenty years of teaching in the early childhood education field receiving specialized training from NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) 

Una received recognition by being named one of the top 100 women in the Irish community. 

As a dual citizen of Ireland and the United States, Una thrives on keeping traditions and relationships alive within the community and on both sides of the pond by offering a warm welcome listening ear and a cuppa!

"Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much." Helen Keller

Alanna M. Barry

Director of Community Programs and Communications

Originally from Havertown, Alanna has been a volunteer for the Irish Immigration Center (and now IDC) for many years and is thrilled to officially join the team.

In addition to her work at the Center, Alanna is the Executive Director for the Irish American Business Chamber & Network in Philadelphia. The Irish Chamber is a non-partisan business organization promoting the development of economic and educational relationships between the US and the Island of Ireland. Alanna serves on the board of directors of the Commodore John Barry Arts & Cultural Society and the Delaware County Gaels, and is a member of the Society of the Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick in Philadelphia.

Alanna spent many summers in County Antrim with her Granny, aunts, uncles, and cousins. After graduating from Bishop Shanahan High School, Alanna earned a bachelor’s degree in food marketing from Saint Joseph’s University.