Jilleen Barrett
Where do you live? Long Island, NY.
Current company and position? Director of Communications and Marketing for the Bronx Economic Development Corporation.
First job and what it taught me? My current position at the Bronx Economic Development Corporation is my first full-time job. I have learned a lot after being in the role for just under a year, especially since I have been directing the marketing and communications for the BXEDC as well as the Business Initiative Corporation of New York and The Bronx Tourism Council.
While working in the small business lending and tourism industries, I have learned how to collaborate with external teams, use my writing skills to benefit both companies, and garner attention on social media for our events so they can be successful. I have also grown more confident in my ability to complete quality assignments for each company every day.
How do you embrace your Irish heritage? I am very proud of my Irish heritage! I love learning about Irish history, as well as my family's history. My brother has done a lot of research on this, and I enjoy looking at his findings to see our ancestor's journey from Ireland to the United States.
I have also been lucky enough to visit Ireland twice. My family and I have been to Dublin, Dingle, County Donegal, and Galway. I felt most proud of our heritage when we climbed the Cliffs of Sligo and visited Moneymore, where my mother's side of the family once lived.
Something people would be surprised to know about me... People are usually surprised to find out that I am from a big family! I have four brothers and sisters, plus their significant others. Some of them also have kids. In total, we are a family of 13!
Biography: Jilleen Barrett is the Director of Communications and Marketing at the Bronx Economic Development Corporation. She is a 2023 graduate of Manhattan College, where she got her degree in Communication with a concentration in journalism. Jilleen was an intern with the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME), the top magazine journalism internship in the country. She also interned with Bustle Digital Group for six months after graduation. Now, working in marketing, she feels she has been challenged her to use her writing skills in a new way. Jilleen is grateful to be part of Irish Echo's 40 Under 40!
