Michael O’Leary - Founder & International CEO

Michael O’Leary, a young Australian surfer, first visited Bali on a surfing adventure in 1979. Intrigued by the Balinese craft traditions, he settled on the Island and began producing jewelry with local artisans by opening his first jewelry factory in. Over the years through his company the MOD Group, not only did Mike employ and train hundreds of local staff, but he also helped set up a network of trusted suppliers, distributors, wholesaler, retailers and manufacturers of silver and gold jewelry. The MOD Group also had offices in the USA, Japan and Australia.

In 2001 the MOD Group became the official global licensee to Harley-Davidson for their Silver Jewelry. In 2003 the MOD Group became the Jewelers to the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) for the Championship Ring and Medallions program for the World Champions Tour.
From the beginning, Mike’s approach to business has been about making jewelry while being enormously respectful to Bali's land, its environment, its people, and its culture.
The things he personally cares about which include ecology, preservation of local culture and social responsibility have manifested themselves as the MOD group’s mantra. The principles of sustainability have guided the group's environmental, social and economic business practices since its inception.

In June 2006, Mike sold his beloved MOD Group of companies.
In April 2007, Mike established R.O.L.E. Foundation.

Over the last 29 years, Mike has ridden the many ups and downs in the region and has witnessed first hand, the accelerated destruction of the environment and the ever growing pool of poor and disadvantaged.