Thierry de l’Escaille, Secretary General – CEO of European Landowners’ Organization until 2023, is a multifaceted leader. Co-founder of RISE Foundation, Secretary General of Friends of the Countryside, Vice PDT and founder of Landelijk Vlaanderen, and more. With over 24 years on the board of Belgian Royal Forestry society, he co-founded the Forum for the Future for Agriculture and chairs the Wildlife Estate initiative. A lawyer, farmer, and forester, he champions regenerative agriculture and renaturalization projects for ecological balance.

Jurgen Tack has been the Secretary General – CEO of the European Landowners’ Organization since June 2023. He previously held the role of Scientific Director at ELO and served as CEO of Landelijk Vlaanderen and CEO of the Aanspreekpunt Privaat Beheer Natuur en Bos in 2016. Additionally, he was President of the International Riverine Commission River Maas/Meuse, a member of the European Commission’s Expert Group on Nature Based Solutions, and chaired the board of directors of the Botanical Garden Meise. He earned his PhD in Sciences after studying biology (marine ecology) at Brussels Free University.

Pierre-Olivier Drège serves as the President of the European Landowners’ Organization and is also the President of the forest cooperative Nord Seine Forêt 2a (NSF2a). He previously held the position of Director General at the National Forestry Office (ONF) and is an alumnus of the École Polytechnique, with a background in rural engineering, water management, and forestry.

Delphine, a dedicated member of the ELO team for over 15 years, currently holds the position of Director of European Affairs. Her primary focus is on advocating for the crucial role of landowners in nature conservation, promoting sustainable management practices, and crafting solutions to tackle global biodiversity challenges. Delphine earned her degree in European law from the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands, complemented by a master's in International Public Law from Sorbonne University in Paris.

Anne made her entry into ELO in 2016, transitioning from the realm of institutional communications. Over the years, she has cultivated a genuine passion for the subjects and individuals central to ELO's network. Finding common ground, sharing a narrative between organizations is still at the heart of what she enjoys doing . In addition, she adeptly manages the operational and administrative aspects of ELO and its affiliated entities.

Emmanuelle, with her legal background and a Master of Arts from the College of Europe (Natolin), has been an invaluable member of ELO since 2005. She serves as ELO's advisor, specializing in property rights and holds the role of Editor-in-Chief of the "Countryside Magazine." As Deputy Director of the 'Forum for the Future of Agriculture,' she is a dedicated expert with international experience, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.

Ana Rocha serves as our Director specializing in EU's Agri & Forestry-related policies. With a background in Agricultural Engineering, she brings over a decade of professional experience in EU lobbying, advocating for the interests of landowners and land managers. Despite her work and academic pursuits taking her to various European countries, including recent stays in Brussels and London, Ana maintains deep connections to the Portuguese countryside where her roots are firmly planted.

Jehanne joined the European Landowners’ Organization and Friends of the Countryside in 2005 to spearhead the first European communication campaign on Natura 2000. Since then, she has been actively involved in all European countries, coordinating meetings, mobilizing networks, and organizing exclusive events and field visits to facilitate knowledge sharing among land managers. Jehanne has been part of the Forum for the Future of Agriculture from its inception.

Throughout her career, Sonsoles has been deeply engaged in the entertainment industry, leading talent strategies, overseeing concert tours, and managing large-scale events. In 2020, she expanded my professional focus to include humanitarian work, collaborating with various NGOs on aid and development initiatives. During this time, she also worked at a Spanish consultancy specializing in the  implementation of EU-funded projects, further broadening her experience in international cooperation before joining ELO.

Leonor César das Neves is German-Portuguese and grew up in the EU world in Brussels, Belgium. Her academic background is in international development & public policy (Nova SBE, PT) and rural land management (Royal Agricultural University, UK), with experience in various sectors, including auditing, lobbying, and hydroponics. In addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors of Young Friends of the Countryside, an association representing young landowners at the EU level. Leonor has been an intern at the ELO in 2018 and 2019. Nowadays, she works on our Biodiversity Projects and Policy.

I am from Rabat, I hold a masters degree in  Agro and ecosystem engineering with a specialty in Agricultural and Resource Economics. I have experience with international development projects, as I participated in a research project on Tropical Agriculture and Ecosystems in Kenya during my Masters. I first lived in Brussels before moving to Leuven where I surprisingly discovered that I like more calm and  small cities close to nature. On a personal level I am happy when I help others and on a professional level I would like to help those who believe that change is possible. I like to see direct impact or see that my work is meaningful and has concrete direct results.

Beatrice holds a Master Degree in Law from Pavia University and during that period she had a working experience at the UN in the United States. She grew up in the heart of the Northern Italian countryside and this motivated her to pursue a career related to the agriculture sector and sustainability. For this reason she also obtained the Sole24 Ore Professional Master Degree in Sustainable Finance and she matured experience by working in agricultural, bio-energy and circular economy businesses.
At ELO she is working on carbon credits as well as biodiversity projects and policy.
Among the many things she likes, she enjoys skiing, diving, photography and going on adventures all over the world.

With a background in law and entrepreneurship, Gaspard recently joined ELO as a trainee. Rurality enthusiast, he is taking a training course in agriculture, which further deepens his knowledge of the agricultural sector and sustainability issues in the EU. As part of this training, he completed two practical placements on host farms run by ELO members. Next to his academic and professional interests, Gaspard is also passionate about languages, history, and music.

Dagmar, a mathematics graduate, initiated her career as a software analyst and project manager, overseeing the creation of a system for managing EU Structural Funds subsidy applications in the Czech Republic, which eventually led her to Brussels, where she also served in the European Parliament. Currently, her role within the ELO project team involves the coordination of multiple Erasmus+ projects.

At ELO, Adriana adeptly oversees the organization's administrative processes, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. Her expertise bridges academia and practical management, making her a valuable asset to the team.

She is a dynamic professor of Modern Foreign Languages, with a specialization in Applied Linguistics and Social Semiotics. Hailing from Argentina, she has a rich background in teaching language courses and coordinating pedagogy.

Lodovica is an environmental researcher with a solid foundation in both ecology and agriculture. With hands-on experience across Europe and Latin America, she has contributed to biodiversity research in the Peruvian Amazon, worked on sustainable cattle farming in Mexico, and supported regenerative agricultural practices in Italy, Spain, and Germany. From managing organic farms to coordinating conservation projects, Lodovica is deeply committed to bridging scientific research and practical knowledge to drive sustainable solutions in agriculture.

Alexandra holds a master's degree in Wildlife Management Engineering and is currently working on a PhD in Large Carnivore management and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. She has proven expertise in international conservation 
management and environmental governance.Alexandra has actively managed multilateral policy 
collaborations and has led scientific projects addressing emerging conservation challenges. Alexandra is passionate about advancing sustainable conservation practices, engaging youth 
in conservation policy, and driving global biodiversity solutions. 

Coming from a family background within Romanian Agriculture and recent experience within the European Parliament Kyia has joined ELO and the Forum for the Future of Agriculture as a trainee. He offers a global outlook shaped by his experiences studying and working across various countries. With a passion for both innovation and coffee Kyia aims to promote innovation in agriculture by encouraging collaboration between stakeholders and adopting cutting-edge practices to meet future challenges.

Sylwia became part of ELO in 2022 as the HR and Office Manager. With more than 18 years of experience in international and multicultural settings, she brings a wealth of expertise. A central focus of her work is seamlessly merging financial strategy, HR strategy, organizational values, and culture to align with business objectives. Sylwia's adaptable approach stems from her extensive experience in diverse multicultural environments.

Marie, who holds a Master's degree in European Affairs and Public Relations, now leads the communications efforts at ELO. She has been part of the ELO team since 2018 and has actively contributed to various projects, including Heritage Houses for Europe, Forum For Ag, LIFE ENPLC, EUKI, and SoilValues. Her primary aim is to amplify both ELO's and landowners' voices. Marie is enthusiastic about taking on new challenges and is a passionate Yoga enthusiast.

With a Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in European and International Affairs, Sergio has been living in Brussels since January 2022. Within ELO's projects team, he takes charge of communications and project management for ERASMUS+ projects STAY and TRANSFARM. He also provides support for the Horizon Europe projects PATHFINDER and Small4Good. Outside of work, his passions span geopolitics, history, literature, and, notably, he's an avid Eurovision enthusiast!

Eleonore Raynal-Pečený, a former trainee at the European Parliament, is drawn to sustainability and environmental issues. After earning a Master’s in Social and Cultural Ecology at Charles University in Prague, she set her sights on the intersection of policy and communication. When she is not fine-tuning press releases or creating visuals on Canva, you might find her writing stories, meditating, shopping for overpriced niche vinyls, and exploring Brussels on a Villo bike in the search of the perfect balance between urban life and nature.

Alain SCRIBAN currently serves as a special advisor to ELO. Prior to this role, he had a distinguished career, retiring as a senior official from the European Commission and having served earlier as an official at the Ministry of Agriculture in France. In France, he holds the title of "Ingénieur honoraire des Ponts, des Eaux et des Forêts." Alain is notably active in the "Agrilife" initiative.

Pietro Taschini holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs, specializing in Global Politics and Security.

In 2023, he moved to Dublin to work in the tech policy sector. After a year, driven by a desire to reconnect with his family’s agricultural heritage and his passion for sustainability, he joined ELO as a Project Officer trainee. Outside of work, Pietro enjoys staying active by playing football, exploring new recipes in the kitchen, and travelling to discover different cultures and cuisines.

Laura Țicoiu, as a Policy Officer at ELO, channels her efforts towards policies concerning Farm to Fork, Trade, and Innovation, with a mission to advance sustainable land management and rural development throughout Europe. Armed with a background in European policy, she has a keen interest in agricultural and environmental matters. Laura collaborates with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, including policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society groups, to craft solutions for the pressing challenges faced within the agricultural sector.

With a background in public relations and general admin handywork, Jean-Yves has had experience in both large and small corporate structures. Having joined ELO as Administrative Coordinator in April 2025, he has been supporting the financial aspects of everyday company life. On his own time, he enjoys reading up on world folklore, storytelling and medieval archery.

Alec van Havre, one of the Project Officers at the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO), champions the synergy of science and rural expertise in conservation. He leads the charge in promoting best wildlife management practices via ELO's Wildlife Estates Label. Alec's visionary outlook emphasizes the vital connection between liberty and responsibility in integrated countryside management, fostering stewardship for a sustainable future.

Wallerand recently joined ELO and the Forum for the Future of Agriculture. With a background in EU enlargement policies and experience in both public institutions and private companies, he brings an international perspective shaped by living and studying in multiple countries. Passionate about politics, languages, and sustainability, his work focuses on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, leveraging his ability to engage with diverse stakeholders to address shared challenges.