The tribal leader in ancient Ireland was chosen for his wisdom and compassion as well as for his courage and leadership. As the Catholic Church was persecuted in Ireland, so too was the Chief Brehon. As early as the 14th century the Chief Brehon was outlawed where the English held sway. Neither the faith nor the leadership of the Brehon, however, could be eradicated. The Great Irish Fair honors one who exemplifies and carries on the tradition of the Chief Brehon – the tradition of courage and compassion, leadership and wisdom.

For his service to community, culture and education, Brian Ruane is receiving the Chief Brehon Award.

Ruane is the CEO of BNY Mellon’s broker dealer services business, the leading provider of U.S. government securities clearance and collateral management services.

He also leads two BNY Mellon’s strategic enterprise client segments: bank’s and alternative asset managers.

He is a member of the global operating committee of BNY Mellon, a global investments company dedicated to helping institutions, corporations and institutional investors manage and service financial assets.

BNY Mellon has significant business presence in Brooklyn, and is a corporate sponsor of a number of community and philanthropic organizations including Brooklyn Hospital, Futures in Education and The Brooklyn Museum of Art.

Ruane attended Coláiste Éanna School, Dublin, before studying for admission to the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from The Zarb School of Business, New York.

In 1993, he joined BNY Mellon’s management trainee program, and has held leadership positions in BNY Mellon’s global businesses including alternative investment services, prime services, global client management, derivatives clearing, broker dealer services and pershing.

Throughout his career, he has been involved in industry initiatives designed to improve the safety and soundness of the global financial markets. He has served on industry committees focused on strengthening the resiliency of the U.S. government securities and tri-party repo market.

He is a member of the board of directors of Promontory Interfinancial Network, a Washington, D.C.-based financial technology company. He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Boards of The UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business, Dublin, and The Zarb School of Business.

In 2012, he co-chaired the American Ireland Fund, Promising Ireland Campaign honoring President Michael D. Higgins. Two years later, he served on the dinner committee for the American Irish Historical Society Annual Dinner honoring Wilbur L. Ross Jr. In 2015 he was a co-chair of the Archdiocese of New York’s Catholic Charities Gala.

Ruane and his wife, Anna, are involved in supporting children’s education including the Brooklyn Diocese’s Futures in Education.

Brian and Anna have four children, Sarah, Emma, Jack and Ellie, and are members of St Aidan’s parish, Williston Park, L.I.