Vets Without Borders Team

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Mike Burke,
CEO

Mike graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) in 1989 and has specialized in pig medicine for over 30 years. Mike joined Vets Without Borders Ireland as a volunteer in 2004...

delivering pig husbandry courses to farmers in Malawi and Kosovo. Inspired by the positive impact on these communities, Mike has been deeply involved with Vets Without Borders Ireland over the years, taking on increasing responsibility to grow the impact of the organisation through collaborative projects with NGO's.

An enthusiastic cyclist, Mike has led an annual fundraising cycle in aid of Vets Without Borders since 2005, helping raise over €300,000 for various projects. He currently serves as the CEO of Vets Without Borders, Ireland and continues to drive the organization's mission forward.

Rebecca Reynolds,
Head of Strategic Development

Rebecca has over twenty years’ experience working across the SME, Multinational and Not- for-Profit sectors and is skilled in strategic management, project management, team management, fundraising, marketing, communications and development.

Prior to joining Vets Without Borders Ireland, Rebecca was Development and Marketing Director at Butler Gallery, a leading contemporary Arts organisation in Ireland and a former Senior Manager with Focus Ireland, Ireland’s leading Homeless Charity. Rebecca has expertise in Change Management, CSR and Corporate expertise. Rebecca has an MA in Arts & Heritage Management from Waterford Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Marketing & Strategic Management from Dublin Institute of Technology and Trinity College.

BOARD MEMBERS

Eamonn O’Sullivan, appointed Chair 2026.
Eamonn O’Sullivan joined the board of Vets Without Borders Ireland in 2024 and was appointed as Chairperson in March 2026. Eamonn is a Key Account Manager for Zoetis, a world leading animal health company.

His work brings him to Vets and Veterinary practices all over Ireland and he adds a wealth of industry expertise and knowledge to Vets Without Borders Ireland. Eamonn is a keen outdoor and nature enthusiast and passionate about helping developing communities improve their circumstances through better animal care.

Seamus Hoey, appointed 2023.
Séamus Hoey is a board-certified veterinary radiologist. He graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2007. After an equine internship at a small animal practice in Australia he undertook a four-year combined American and European residency at the University of Wisconsin.

After spending two years at the University of Zurich, he returned to UCD and is now an Associated Professor, as well as being a teleradiologist for VetCT. Séamus is passionate about teaching and helping graduates to be as prepared as they can for their first day in clinical practice.

In Vets without Borders Ireland, Séamus is committed to advancing teaching and learning initiatives that support small-scale farmers in the daily care and management of their animals, with the aim of improving both animal welfare and farmers' livelihoods.

Ian Farrell, appointed 2026.
Ian Farrell is a native of County Longford with a lifelong interest in farming deriving from his upbringing on a beef farm. Having graduated from NUI Galway, Ian worked at EY and BDO, where he served as an Audit Manager on engagements for mid‑market and large organizations.

A Chartered Accountant and senior finance leader with over a decade of experience across audit, financial control, and governance. He currently serves as Director of Finance at BrightPath Early Learning & Child Care, where he has contributed to strengthening financial controls, enhancing reporting capabilities, and supporting organizational growth.

Lauren Murphy, appointed 2026.
Lauren is an experienced communications, policy and public affairs practitioner with 15 years’ experience working with inter-governmental organisations, membership associations, semi-state bodies, government departments, and consultancy.

A graduate in French & European Studies (BA Hons) from the University of the West of England in the UK, she started out her career in Brussels, where she lived and worked for 5 years with policy and administration roles in the European Parliament and the Council of European Energy Reglators.

Since 2015, Lauren has called Dublin home continuing her work in policy, communications and political environments at the British Embassy, EirGrid, PR360 and now as Public Affairs Manager at Uisce Eireann.

Charles Chavasse, appointed 2026.
Charles graduated as a vet from Glasgow over 40 years ago. He worked in mixed rural practices in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and finally came home to run his own practice in Dungarvan in 1998. He joined Zoetis in 2010 and offered technical support to the sales team, veterinary practitioners and farmers in Munster and Leinster.

He took early retirement from Zoetis in August 2024 and is now a co-host on The VetPod podcast and offers a consultancy service to vets and farmers. In the early 1990s he spent 3 years driving overland trucks across Africa, taking young people on “holiday”.

He is married with 2 grown up children and lives on a farm with a small flock of sheep and some commercial forestry. In his spare time he enjoys sailing, hill walking and wood turning.

Our Team

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