Meet the Team

Declan Pyne

Project Coordinator West

MSc in Organic farming from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Aberdeen

Declan has over 12 years’ experience working within the organic and agriculture sectors, with experience across a wide variety of roles. Over the last 7 years Declan has worked as an organic inspector with Organic Trust and as an Organic Advisor working predominately with organic beef and sheep farms in the west.

Based in County Clare, Declan has an organic farm and trades under ‘Pyne’s Organics’. The farm has a suckler to beef enterprise and specialises in organic potatoes, with all produce sold direct to organic customers. Declan is your direct O.B.L.I.G contact on the West of the Country.

Julian Pawlowski

Project Coordinator East

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Environmental Science, UCD

Email: East@Oblig.ie

Julian has over 10 years of experience in the organic sector in Ireland, where he currently serves as an organic specialist and organic inspector, advising farmers and advisors, on transitioning to organics and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). Previously, Julian worked in the area of organic certification, as well as managing certified organic farms. His extensive expertise in the organic sector enables him to talk to all areas of organics. Having dedicated his career to the organic sector in Ireland, Julian is well placed to enable its growth in the future.

Maura O’Callaghan

Project Manager OBLIG

IPMA, MSc in Food Business (UCC), Higher Dip Co-operative Organisations, Food Marketing & Rural Development UCC

Maura has over 20 years of experience working in food, retail, and FMCG across both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining ifac, she held senior management roles in P&G Plc and Unilever Plc, managing accounts and business development teams. She also worked as a Market Analyst in the Corporate Affairs division of Ornua and in Strategy and Performance Improvement with PwC Advisory Services.

Her expertise spans Strategic Growth Planning, Project Management, National Account Management, Negotiations, Supply Chain, Forecast Management, and Trade and Shopper Marketing. Coming from a farming background, Maura is passionate about food and agribusiness, with a strong focus on developing businesses and brands in a sustainable manner.

Karol Kissane, FCA

OBLIG Chairperson

FCA – Chartered Accountants Ireland; CTA – Irish Tax Institute; Bachelor of Business Studies, CIT

Karol has over 20 years’ experience working in leading organisations in Ireland and the UK. He has held senior positions and is experienced in leading high-performance teams, often during times of significant change. With a strong background in accountancy, taxation, and finance, he is highly skilled in identifying problems, proposing solutions, and driving implementation.

He is actively engaged at both national and international levels on agri policy and is a member of the Private Sector Mechanism to the United Nations Committee on World Food Security, where he frequently attends and speaks at UN FAO in Rome. In addition, Karol is a dairy farmer in his native Kerry and a 2018 Nuffield Scholar.

Joe Kelleher

Organics Specialist, Teagasc Organics Unit

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science, UCD

Joe has over 23 years of experience at Teagasc, where he currently serves as an Organic Specialist, advising farmers on transitioning to organics and supporting a nationwide team of advisors. Previously, he worked as a Business & Technology Dairy Advisor, helping clients improve farm efficiency and profitability.

Earlier in his career, he held roles as a Rural Environment Scheme Planner and Quality Control Manager at Crecora Mills, demonstrating his broad expertise in agriculture and sustainability. Joe’s background in agricultural advisory services has made him a key resource for farmers implementing sustainable practices. His expertise spans both environmental management and farm business development, making him a well-rounded advisor in the sector.

Elaine Leavy

Organic Specialist, Teagasc Organics Unit

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science, UCD; MSc / PGDip in Organic Farming, University of Glasgow

Elaine has worked with Teagasc for 26 years, including 17 years as an Organic Specialist. In her role, she increases and strengthens the knowledge base of organic producers and those interested in converting to organic farming, while promoting best practices across the sector. She also provides ongoing support for the Teagasc organic advisory team.

Elaine collaborates closely with stakeholders and represents Teagasc on the National Organic Strategy Forum. She actively contributes to the development and implementation of organic farming policies and initiatives, ensuring alignment with national sustainability goals. In addition, she delivers training and educational resources designed to enhance the skills and expertise of both current and aspiring organic farmers.

John Brennan

Manager, Leitrim Organic Co-Op

MSc in Organic Farming, University of Glasgow

John has been the Manager at Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-Op for over 24 years, focusing on sustainable agriculture and organic farming initiatives. Prior to this role, he worked at Newmarket Information Ltd. for more than seven years as Manager of Software Sales and Support, where he oversaw client relations and software solutions.

Passionate about environmental stewardship, John advocates for environmentally friendly farming practices and community-driven sustainability projects. His extensive experience in both agriculture and technology enables him to combine traditional farming methods with modern innovations, creating sustainable solutions for the future.

John Noonan

Business and Technology Advisor, Teagasc | Chairman, Mayo Blackface Group

BAgrSc Rural Development, UCD; MScAgr in Environmental Conservation, University of Dublin

John has been a Business and Technology Advisor at Teagasc for nearly 32 years. With a strong foundation in rural development and hands-on teaching, he has led innovative initiatives in drystock, dairy, and sheep farming, including the establishment of successful breeding groups and regional agricultural programs.

His expertise spans advisory roles, group development, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices, significantly boosting farmer incomes and advancing regional agriculture. John has also played an influential role in mentoring farmers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape. His dedication to innovation and sustainability continues to shape the future of farming in Ireland.

Seán McGloin

Network Manager, National Organic Training Skillnet (N.O.T.S.)

MSc in Organic Farming, University of Glasgow

Seán has been the Network Manager at the National Organic Training Skillnet (N.O.T.S.) for over 19 years. Based in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, he specialises in organising affordable, tailored training programmes for food producers and businesses in the organic and agri-food sectors, fostering industry growth and collaboration.

With extensive experience in organic farming, Seán has built strong relationships with industry stakeholders, ensuring the continuous evolution of sustainable practices. His leadership in N.O.T.S. has played a key role in shaping the future of organic agriculture in Ireland.