PARADE OFFICERS
Cathleen Patricia Steinau
2025 Grand Marshal
Read more about the history of our Grand Marshals by visiting the Grand Marshals page.
Fiona Stewart-Jimenez
Chairwoman
Fiona is a first-generation Irish American and has been a part of the Irish community here in the States for a long time. Growing up, she danced with the O'Keefe School of Irish Dance along with her sister, Sinead (2001 Parade Queen). Fiona followed in her sister's footsteps twelve years later and was crowned the 2013 New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Queen. Fiona and her family are members of the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club, where she helped co-chair the New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Queen Committee for several years.
As Parade Queen, Fiona joined the parade committee and was hooked! She went on to chair events such as the Bed Race, lent her voice to singing the national anthems at many events, co-chaired Social Media, and for several years was the Broadcast Chair. She worked with WTNH and their team to produce “All Things Irish” through countless interviews, features, and most importantly the live broadcast of several parades and two in-studio "Celebrating Irish Heritage" shows.
Fiona is currently employed as a Senior Manager in Investments at the Connecticut Green Bank and as a cantor for her church, Our Lady Queen of Angels in Meriden. She enjoys singing, playing the piano, cooking and baking, painting, and spending time with her family. She lives in West Hartford with her husband, Manny and son, Tomás.
Michael dePascale
Secretary
Michael dePascale is a second-generation Irish American who is deeply involved in the Irish community of New Haven. He and his family are dedicated members of the Knights of St. Patrick, with Mike serving on the Board of Directors and heading the Membership committee.
In 2017, Mike was elected President of the Knights of Saint Patrick, marking his entry into the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee. He continued his involvement, serving as Corporate Chair and overseeing parade events such as the Parade Awards and Shamrock Open Golf Tournament.
Professionally, Mike holds the role of Delivery Lead at MassMutual. Outside of work, he enjoys volunteering, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He resides in Milford.
Catherine Hopkins Zaneski
Chief of Staff
Catherine Mary Hopkins Zaneski is a fourth generation Irish- American who has been active in the Irish American community all of her life. She grew up as the 4th of 5 children in a Irish Catholic home, spending a lot of time at the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club. She was honored to be Crowned St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen in 1998. She then chaired and co-chaired the New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen Committee for many years.
As Parade Queen, Catherine Joined the St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and has been an active member ever since. She loves being on the committee and honoring her heritage; keeping the traditions alive. In 2023, Catherine started and chaired the Inaugural Frosty Shamrocks Plunge for the Parade, served as Corporate Co- Chair in 2024, and has chaired the Woodlawn DuckPin Bowling event, as well as volunteering on numerous other committees.
Catherine is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who has been working at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System since February 2003 in outpatient psychiatry She lives in Madison with her Husband, Dan, her two children, Madison and Connor, chocolate lab, Captain and Bunny, Caramel. They love being outdoors and spend a lot of time at the beach and her children’s sporting events. Catherine is an advocate for healthy lifestyles and loves to run, workout and practice yoga.
She is honored to be the 2024 Chief of Staff.
Jim McGovern
Executive Chair
Jim McGovern joined the New Haven Saint Patrick's Day Parade in 1995 after becoming an officer of the Knights of Saint Patrick where he served as President in 1997/98. Recruited to the Parade Committee by past Grand Marshal, the late Kevin J. Smith, he was asked to serve as club Marshal for the Knights and was instantly hooked.
Jim was asked to chair the Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner in 2005 with 2020-2003 Grand Marshal, Seamus Bohan and they still chair the event to this day. Jim chaired the annual golf tournament, the Shamrock Open, in 2005 and for several years following. He continues to work on this event each year.
Jim was elected to the position of Chief of Staff by the Parade Executive Committee in 2007 and was honored to be named the Grand Marshal of the New Haven Saint Patrick's Day Parade in 2010. Jim served as the Executive Secretary for the Parade Committee from 2019-2023.
Jim is a Senior Security Consultant for Securitas Technology Inc. He resides in North Haven with his wife Trish and their three children Grace, Molly and Jack.
Bernadette Smyth LaFrance
Executive Secretary
Bernadette Smyth LaFrance's upbringing as a first-generation Irish American deeply influenced her calling to become an active leader in the Irish community. For the past 30 years, she has demonstrated unwavering passion, dedication, and commitment to promoting Irish culture and heritage, following in the footsteps of her family, who have been integral to the New Haven Gaelic Football & Hurling Club/Irish American Community Center, Knights of St. Patrick, and the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for over six decades.
Bernadette’s journey in the Irish community is marked by significant achievements. She was crowned Queen of the 1994 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and served as Grand Marshal in 2008. In 2015, she became the second woman to earn the Knight of the Year honor and the first to be awarded the traditional Green Jacket by the Knights of St. Patrick. In 2018, she was honored with the inaugural Kevin J. Smith Award for Excellence in Executive Leadership by the Parade Committee’s Executive Board of Directors. Her historic election in June 2019 as the first-ever female Executive Chairman of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade, an event with a legacy dating back to 1842, is a testament to her pioneering spirit. In 2024, Bernadette was elected Vice President of the Knights of St. Patrick, the first-ever female officer of the club since it began in 1878.
With extensive experience in executive leadership and revenue-generating fundraising, Bernadette has significantly contributed to the financial sustainability of the parade through her role as co-founder of the Corporate Fundraising Committee. Her leadership secured hundreds of thousands in corporate contributions, ensuring the parade’s future. Bernadette secured a multi-year partnership with WTNH News 8, which broadcasts the parade live and promotes Irish culture year-round.
Bernadette resides in Guilford with her husband Rob and their three sons, John, Joseph, and James. Despite her many historic and prestigious titles within the Irish community, her most proud, fulfilling, and rewarding role remains that of “Mom.”
Ann Cotter Ballard
Treasurer
Ann Cotter Ballard has been an active member of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee since 2004. She has chaired several parade events including the initial Shamrock Open Golf Tournament, Wine Tasting @ Anthony's Ocean View, and Emerald Isle Fashion Show. Prior to being elected to Parade Treasurer, Ann held the position of Corporate Chairwoman.
Through her involvement in the Greater New Haven Irish community, Ann hopes to pass along her love of being Irish to her three daughters and granddaughter Briella, who has marched with the Parade Committee in many Mystic St. Patrick's Day Parades. Ann is employed as a Principal Sales Engineer with Frontier; she is celebrating forty years in the Communications industry in 2024. When not involved in parade activities, Ann's Passions include golfing, vacationing in Florida and Cape Cod and hanging with her rescue tomboy cat, Stormy.
Patrick J. Smith
Parade Coordinator
Patrick J. Smith has been on the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee for many years. He grew up in New Haven and has contributed to the Irish community throughout his lifetime. He is a member of the Knights of St. Patrick, where he had the honor of serving as a President twice. Throughout his time on the parade committee, he served in various roles and was proudly named the Grand Marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2018. In 2022, Patrick added a new role to his top hat with Parade Coordinator.
DONATE
The Associated Irish Societies is an IRS recognized non-profit with 501(c) (3) status. All donations are tax-deductible. Donations are payable to the Associated Irish Societies.
ABOUT
The Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Connecticut’s largest single day spectator event attracting more than 325,000 people to the streets New Haven each year. The Parade is a longstanding tradition in the New Haven community, and the members of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee volunteer to ensure the tradition continues.
© 2024 Associated Irish Societies, Inc.