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According to a report by The Guardian on the 30th, Cathy Kearney is an accountant based in Cork, Ireland, living a seemingly simple and conservative life. She graduated from a local university in her early years and lived on a dairy farm for 15 years, located a short drive outside a seaside town called Youghal.
This 49-year-old woman lives in a modest farmhouse with her husband and children. Outside of work, she frequently participates in local church activities. She is also a behind-the-scenes strategist at Apple, driving many of the company's recent global successes.
As the top representative for the Silicon Valley tech giant in Ireland, Kearney oversees Apple's operations in Cork and is responsible for the sales of Apple tablets, iPhones, and MacBooks across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Two years ago, Kearney was named one of the 20 most influential women in Ireland. Many attribute much of Apple's global success to her wise guidance and decision-making. On the other hand, Kearney is known as a very low-profile woman who refuses to write an autobiography or even show her face to the public.
A spokesperson stated, "We focus more on the products themselves rather than individuals, and we are happy to recognize the team efforts within Apple."
In 2011 alone, the Cork branch where Kearney works generated no less than $22 billion in revenue for Apple, accounting for two-thirds of Apple's total revenue that year. Back in the United States, Apple CEO Tim Cook described this WorldWay achievement as unprecedented.
Last month, Kearney accepted an interview, though it was a private meeting with U.S. congressional officials. There have been rumors that Apple's Irish branch is significantly shifting its profit distribution points across the globe, particularly regarding the United States, with the goal of reducing tax liabilities.
This accountant at the Cork branch is indeed a remarkable woman, managing 4,000 employees within the company, while simultaneously helping Apple reduce its tax burden by billions.
