幸いなことに => fortunately; luckily; thankfully ~ N2
に先立って => before; prior to ~ N2
に[先立「さきだ」]って/に[先立「さきだ」]ち/に[先立「さきだ」]つ => Before A occurs/takes place N2
Time, Situation
に先駆けて => prior to; to be the first (pioneer); being ahead of ~ N1
に[先駆「さきが」]けて => The earliest, very first in A; Ahead of A, in advance of A N1
Time, Situation