Texas trailblazers: 4 Irish women in business in the Lone Star state
The Irish-American connection is built off the backs of generations of trailblazers who, over centuries, have paved paths for strong bonds between our two nations.
In Texas, that legacy can be traced back to Margaret Borland, an Irish immigrant and pioneering rancher, who famously drove her own herd of cattle up the Chisholm Trail and managed a vast ranching operation as a widow and mother. Borland is the only known woman in the history of the United States to run her own cattle drive.
Today, Irish women in Texas continue to embody this drive, through leadership in business and innovation, contributions to the arts and academia, and service to their communities, they are forging modern links between Ireland and Texas.
Meet some of the Irish women who are making their mark in the Lone Star state
Co-founder, Foxes Bow Irish Whiskey
Alice Carroll
Born and raised in County Limerick and now based in Austin, Alice Carroll is the co-founder of Foxes Bow Irish Whiskey, a brand that celebrates the modern, vibrant, contemporary Ireland of today.
Carroll chose Texas to launch her business into the US, drawn to the shared values she sees between Ireland and Texas - warmth, hospitality, and openness. She brings a distinctly Irish sense of connection, community and hospitality to her work and her life in Texas.
Inspired by boundary-breaking Irish women such as Dolores O’Riordan, who challenged expectations and defied industry norms, and by St Brigid as a lasting symbol of a powerful feminist icon.
To learn more visit Foxes Bow Irish whiskey
Project Executive at ExxonMobil and co-founder of Irish Women in Energy
Pamela Kearney Skaufel
Hailing from County Limerick, Pamela Kearney Skaufel came to Texas through her work, building a 28-year career with ExxonMobil. Now based in Houston and raising two daughters, she carries her Irish identity deeply into her professional and personal life, valuing the Irish qualities of connection and authentic leadership.
Kearney Skaufel is a co-founder of the Irish Women in Energy, an organisation that highlights the vital role Irish women play as scientists, engineers, and leaders in the sector.
She draws inspiration from figures such as Gráinne Ní Mháille, whose fearless leadership and independence as a 16th-century chieftain and early businesswoman, stood out in an era when female role models were rare.
To learn more visit Irish Women in Energy on LinkedIn.
Music therapist and musician
Niamh Fahy
Born and raised in County Meath, Niamh Fahy has called Austin home for the past 12 years. Fahy works as a music therapist and fiddle player with Irish trad band ‘The Here and Now’. Deeply embedded in the arts, she works with all ages through music therapy, performs across genres (from traditional to rock), and records strings for other musicians.
Texas is home to a vibrant Irish traditional music scene, and Fahy has found a strong sense of community and connection through the shared love of Irish music. Storytelling and listening are central to Irish culture, and Niamh sees these qualities reflected in her practice as a therapist.
She is inspired by the strong women in her family, particularly her grandmother and mother. Their creativity, resilience, and belief that anything was possible instilled in her a deep sense of feminine strength.
To learn more visit Integrative Music Therapy and The Here & Now
Director of Women’s and NICU Services at Baylor Scott and White Round Rock
Deirdre Martin-Ross
Originally from County Cork, Deirdre Martin-Ross has called Texas home for over 20 years and now serves as Director of Women’s and NICU Services at Baylor Scott and White Round Rock.
Training as a nurse and midwife in Ireland and gaining an internationally recognised education meant that her leadership is deeply rooted in the training, values, and work ethic she received in Ireland. That rigorous education instilled a resilience and adaptability that proved especially vital during the global pandemic, when steady leadership and unwavering commitment to patients and staff were paramount.
Coming from a long line of caregivers, Deirdre’s commitment to service reflects a family legacy of care and generosity that continues to influence both her professional life and her role at home. She draws particular inspiration from her mother, a kind and principled woman who shaped her understanding of service and leadership.
From healthcare and energy to the arts and entrepreneurship, these Irish women in Texas are carrying forward a tradition of leadership, care, and connection that continues to strengthen the ties between Ireland and the Lone Star State.
