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.

Five years ago Enrico Breveglieri, Communication Officer at ELO, was not expecting to find himself dealing with agriculture-related topics. But after majoring in Japanese at Bologna University and obtaining a Master Degree in Area and Global Studies for International Cooperation at Turin University he embraced the challenges of working in the field of communication applied to trade organizations.
When he is not in the office you will find him somewhere in parks birdwatching but mostly in the gym, practicing the art of brazilian jiujitsu (or, as he likes to call it, involuntary yoga)

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.

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.

Paulo Ferro holds a degree in Languages, Literature, and Culture, specializing in English, French, and Italian. In 2019, he embarked on a new adventure with a communication internship in Brussels, where he has been based since. His academic journey continued with a master’s degree in Multilingual Business Communication at UCLouvain. With nearly two years of internship experience and a rich background in Acrobatic Gymnastics, a sport he dedicated 12 years to, he brings a unique blend of discipline and creativity to his professional endeavors. Outside of work, he’s a movie enthusiast, he loves to cook, and hiking.

Martin, armed with an academic degree in sustainability science and a multicultural journey across three continents, takes care of the communication and dissemination for ELO's EU-funded projects. With a fervent commitment to science communication, he now channels his expertise into ELO's forestry initiatives. Beyond work, Martin's urban spirit thrives in Brussels, where he's a fixture at trendy cafes and a surprising enthusiast at the city's axe-throwing range.

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.

Mikael joined the ELO as a Forest Policy Officer following a peculiar path of economics, investing and publishing. What has remained constant is the interest in society and how it is shaped, as well as the love of nature – likely stemming from his background on the coast near Helsinki, Finland. Having arrived in Brussels, he is keen to discover how the EU really operates, and how ideas turn into concrete policies. When not working he is most likely to be found with a book in hand enjoying a coffee or a local beer, or working out.

Caroline has been a vibrant part of ELO since 2009, and is a Senior Project Manager active on SoilValues EU Horizon Project for Communication and Dissemination. Caroline draws inspiration from ELO members and their long-term vision. Her diverse work experience includes stints in Africa, India, and Asia. She holds an MSC in human sciences with a focus on history and political sciences.

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!

Pauline brings a wealth of expertise in forest politics and EU operations from her academic research roles. She joined ELO in 2021 and plays a pivotal role in managing the interactions between the Commission & the ELO members. Her policy acumen shines through in EU-funded forest-related projects like PathFinder. During her leisure time, she indulges in the multifaceted wonders of nature through gardening and exploring the Soignes forest with her horse.

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.

Odilia grew up in northeastern Netherlands, enjoying hiking, horseback riding, and swimming. She studied International Teaching, leading her to Cambodia, Greece, and Italy, where she gained insights into international communities.

After returning, she worked at an international school and chaired the Jongerenplatform Grondbezit (JPG), collaborating with the Federatie Particulier Grondbezit (FPG) on land management and conservation events. Currently, she is interning at the European Landowners' Organization (ELO) to further her expertise and support conservation in the Netherlands.

Sophy joined the ELO office in 2016, where she serves as a dedicated Event Coordinator, meticulously planning, organizing, and executing events to ensure their success, from logistics to attendee experience, while also balancing her role with the Friends of the Countryside, the Young Friends of the Countryside, and the Welcoming Estates Website; with an international background, she is a proud mother of four and nurtures interests in Renaissance culture, biking, and the thrill of discovery.

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.

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.