Founder: Michael O’Leary
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 Kuta. Through his company, the MOD (Michael O’Leary Designs) Group, Mike employed and trained hundreds of local staff, while setting up a network of trusted suppliers, distributors, retailers and manufacturers.
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 principles of sustainability guided the group’s environmental, social and economic business practices since its inception. In 2001 the MOD Group became the official global licensee to Harley-Davidson for their Silver Jewelry. In 2003 the MOD Group became jewelers to the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) for their World Champion ring and medallion program.
In June 2006, Mike sold the MOD Group of companies.
In April 2007, Mike established the ROLE Foundation.
ROLE Foundation has a five-member Board of Directors
President of the Board of Directors: Mangku Ariawan SST.Par, MBA
Mangku Ariawan is very active in Bali provincial politics and a leader among local Hindus. In addition to his work with the ROLE Foundation, Mangku is chairman of the Democratic Insan DPD Bali and a coordinator in the district area parliament. Mangku dreams of a cleaner, safer and united Bali and believes everyone is entitled to a high quality education.
Chairman of the Board of Director: Charles Orchard
Charles Orchard was born in England and has lived in Bali for the past 9 years. For the past 18 years he has lived and worked throughout Asia designing and manufacturing furniture and accessories and sourcing artwork for the international hotel industry. In 2000, Charles launched iBal Designs to specialize in supplying full turn-key hotel furniture, accessories and artwork for the UK and rapidly expanding Asian market. In 2006 IBal Designs partnered with Coast to Coast Designs (USA) to form a multinational hotel manufacturing and design company with offices in Miami, Bali, Dubai, Singapore, and New Delhi. iBal Designs is an environmentally conscious company and will only use wood sourced from sustainable forestry.
