Allianz.com: How did you feel when you saw the Arena lit up in green for the first time?
Sinéad Browne: Above all, I felt humble as the ‘greening initiative’ has become such a huge event around the globe. For my company to become part of it, and to be there personally when the Allianz Arena suddenly turned green – just like the Sydney Opera House, Niagara Falls or the Great Wall of China – was truly exciting.
How did it happen?
Ireland and Germany have close economic ties. I happen to be a member of the Irish-German business network and got approached by the Irish Tourism Board, if the Allianz Arena would become part of the initiative. I immediately encountered a lot of enthusiasm, both internally – Allianz holds the stadium’s naming rights – and externally by the owner of the Arena, München Stadion GmbH. Within just a few weeks we were ready to welcome the Irish ambassador to celebrate the first greening of the Arena together. That was on March 17, 2013. I’m quite proud that this has since become a tradition for Munich and for us at Allianz.
Living as an expat in Germany, what does St. Patrick’s Day represent to you?
Coming to Munich for Allianz over ten years ago was a wonderful opportunity. I love the city and my career options here at such a global company. Yet, Ireland will always be my home. I guess, I am just being very Irish: the longer I am away from my country, the more I feel proud about my roots and the more I am conscious of the unique heritage we Irish share. On St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrate our culture at home and abroad. We are a small country, but with a huge diaspora, and we like to celebrate with other nationalities. It’s wonderful that everybody wants to be part of it, such as of the greening initiative which people consider ‘cool and quirky’. I can’t think of any other nation celebrating that widely.
