Mayor Giuliani appointed Mrs. Halligan to be Commissioner and Chief of Protocol in March 1994 and as Commissioner of the New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol in July 1997 when he combined the two agencies, a position she held until February 15, 2002.  In addition to working closely with the State Department, she welcomed all foreign and domestic dignitaries and participated in their private meetings with the Mayor at City Hall and Gracie Mansion, and represented the mayor at designated events. 

Mrs. Halligan’s office was directly responsible for coordinating official visits to the World Trade Center location following the terrorist attack of September 11, 200l and she personally escorted heads of state, prime ministers, foreign and defense ministers to the site.

A lifelong resident of New York City, Mrs. Halligan’s background includes extensive media experience as creative and production associate with NBC as well as independent television syndicators.  She was also Director of Public Relations and Advertising for a small national bank.

Mrs. Halligan is active in several social service agencies and civic enterprises such as:  Former President of Interfaith Neighbors, a charity devoted to assisting adolescent children at risk; Advisory Board Member of Creative Alternatives of New York, a program of theater workshops for the disabled and disadvantaged; Board Member of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines & Airmen’s Club, a facility serving U.S. armed forces members, reserves, and veterans;  Board Member of America’s Camp Foundation, a camp program for children who lost a parent or sibling in the September 11^th attack;  Board Member of The Drama League, an association dedicated to building artists and audiences for the American theatre;  Board Member of Sutton Area Community Inc., an organization committed to maintaining and improving neighborhood quality of life;  Board Member of the West Point Society of New York, and Board Member of The Gracie Mansion Conservancy.

In addition to her current and previous service as First Vice Chairman of the New York Republican County Committee, she also served as President of the Women’s National Republican Club from 1985 to 1989, as a New York Delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1984 in Dallas, 1988 in New Orleans, 1992 in Houston, and 2004 in New York City, and as Hostess during three RNC Site Search Committee visits to NYC.