Cork City native Ruairi Twomey is vice president of marketing and innovation for the United States arm of Diageo Guinness, a role he has held since 2012. Ruairi has been with the Guinness company since starting out at the famed St. James Gate Brewery 13 years ago. In 2003, he became the marketing director for Guinness Canada and moved to Toronto. From there he progressed to Guinness Nigeria in Lagos, where he served as the vice president of marketing, until making the move to the New York City-based U.S. branch.

Ruairi says it has always meant a lot to him to be Irish throughout his travels and various global positions because he represents a portfolio that includes Irish brands – Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s and Kilkenny – in addition to other famous trademarks, such as Smirnoff Ice, Red Stripe and Parrot Bay. He credits his early days working at Dunnes Stores in Ireland with teaching him the work ethic and business ethos he’s carried with him across three continents.