Paddy Mullen (’80): Purpose, Passion, and Philanthropy
October 4, 2024
Paddy Mullen’s (’80) connection to Notre Dame runs deep, spanning decades and driven by a passion for making a lasting impact. As a strong advocate and Chair of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies Advisory Council, Mullen has worked hard to elevate, advance, and celebrate the Institute’s mission to resolve conflicts, promote peace, and be a force for good in the world.
As Paddy explains, “It’s a privilege to be asked to be on the advisory board, and I’m very grateful to be a part of the process.”
Mullen’s ties to Notre Dame and the Kroc Institute stem from her father, whose international work with Johnson & Johnson exposed Mullen to a global perspective from an early age. “We didn’t have the internet back in my day, so my dad’s travels truly brought the world home to us,” Mullen remembers. “Father Hesburgh called my dad to help him start the Kroc Institute that was originally created and supported by Joan Kroc and family, and as you know, it’s pretty hard to say no to Father Hesburgh.”
The partnership between Father Hesburgh and her father and her brother’s enrollment at Notre Dame piqued Mullen’s interest in attending the University. A proud graduate of one of the first classes of women at Notre Dame, Mullen has always been at the forefront of breaking new ground. “The women in my class were powerful, inspiring, and determined,” Mullen reflects. “It was a privilege to be part of that group, and it prepared me for the male-dominated environments I later encountered in my career.”
In her professional life, Mullen is currently the Chief Executive Officer of The BRANY Group, a biomedical research group based in New York. Throughout her career, she has navigated leadership roles where she was often the only woman in the room; but Mullen has always maintained that leadership is about teamwork and dialogue. “I’ve never focused on being a woman; I just focused on being an individual who is the best at what I do and leading with a collaborative spirit,” she says. “I also made it a point to be excited when another woman joined our team; it’s not a coveted spot to be the only woman. Now my COO and CFO are also women.”
As Chair of the Kroc Institute’s Advisory Board, her leadership skills ensure that the program her father helped create with Father Hesburgh can grow its commitment to Notre Dame’s global peace efforts. Under her leadership, the Institute has seen remarkable growth, including recently establishing a Ph.D. program in peace studies.
Mullen’s vision for the Institute’s future is clear: to grow its influence both on campus and around the world. She is passionate about expanding the Kroc Institute’s ability to work in countries affected by conflict, emphasizing the importance and great work of the Peace Accord Matrix (PAM).
“At no other University in the world can you find a matrix of international peace accords that not only allows you to study how they were created and if they worked but how we can implement the policies that do work into new peace accords,” Mullen explains.
“I think it’s important to remember that the Kroc Institute isn’t just studying conflict; we are on the ground negotiating, creating peace accords, and then being the third-party administrator of those agreements. It’s being the hands and feet of Jesus rather than studying from afar,” she shares.
When asked what advice she has for the next generation of women leaders, Mullen says, “Believe in yourself. Don’t second guess your abilities; always advocate for yourself gracefully. You don’t have to be an expert in everything to make a difference—you just have to care deeply about your work.”
That advice still guides Mullen today as she works with Notre Dame leaders and her fellow advisory board members. “I don’t know everything about conflict and peace, but my passion for the project and ensuring that Notre Dame is leading the way guides me to all the right people who can change the world,” she explains. “And I get a front-row seat to helping them achieve our shared goals.”
