Meet the Team

Leah Fletcher is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Dunbar Pharmaceuticals, an experienced leader dedicated to patient safety and the rigorous compliance standards required in cannabinoid-based therapeutics. With extensive expertise in pharmaceutical innovation and global cannabinoids regulations, Leah drives Dunbar’s commitment to producing consistently high-quality active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at its state-of-the-art facility in Athlone, Ireland.

Leah’s leadership is defined by her deep understanding of and proactive engagement with the nuanced and evolving global regulatory landscape for cannabis derived medicines. She is recognised for her meticulous approach to quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and her relentless advocacy for patient-centric cannabinoid therapies.

Prior to Dunbar, Leah founded deDANÚ, an award-winning Irish research company specialising in cannabinoid applications and plant-based technologies for skincare. She also served as Managing Director of the Arbutus Innovation Centre, an incubator supporting biotech and cosmeceutical ventures with a focus on plant-based cannabinoid innovation and green-tech solutions. Leah holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership, Governance & Policy from Ulster University, a Bachelor of Education from Dublin City University.

James DeMello, CPA, CA, serves as Chief Financial Officer and Co-Founder of Dunbar Pharmaceuticals, bringing strategic financial oversight and extensive expertise in taxation, accounting, and fiscal compliance to the leadership team. A Chartered Professional Accountant with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Victoria, Canada, James has been deeply involved in the medical cannabis industry since 2016, providing specialised financial guidance and tax strategies to cannabis enterprises in Canada.

Before co-founding Dunbar, James was a prominent Tax Partner at Loen and Company, where he managed complex fiscal strategies, compliance, and financial operations tailored specifically to the emerging medical cannabis sector. His career also includes positions as Director of Taxation and Finance at AppBridge, and roles at Unilever and Catalyst Trading Inc.

His comprehensive knowledge of international and domestic taxation, regulatory frameworks, and financial structuring underpins Dunbar Pharmaceuticals’ robust financial foundation and growth trajectory.

John Kiernan serves as the Director of Operations at Dunbar Pharmaceuticals, bringing over 20 years of specialised engineering and operational expertise in the pharmaceutical sector. His extensive experience includes leading complex process automation and engineering operations, with a proven track record in enhancing manufacturing efficiency, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

Previously, John held significant leadership roles at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, in Ireland, where he managed process automation, lean manufacturing initiatives, and cross-functional teams dedicated to biologics manufacturing. John is recognised for cultivating continuous improvement cultures and streamlining operational workflows to ensure high quality, reliable production outcomes.

Siobhan Corroon is the Director of Quality at Dunbar Pharmaceuticals, offering over 20 years of comprehensive experience in GMP quality assurance, quality control, and regulatory compliance within the pharmaceutical industry. Siobhan has extensive expertise as a Qualified Person (QP) and has successfully guided multiple pharmaceutical start-ups, ensuring rigorous compliance with European and U.S. regulatory standards.

Prior to joining Dunbar, Siobhan served as Associate Director of QA & QP at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, where she led quality operations, managed Quality Management Systems (QMS), oversaw regulatory audits, and ensured seamless product certification for global markets. She holds a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Systems from University College Cork and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry, reflecting her deep technical proficiency and dedication to pharmaceutical excellence.

James Igoe serves as the Head of Quality Control at Dunbar Pharmaceuticals, bringing over 20 years of extensive expertise in quality control, analytical chemistry, and laboratory management. He has successfully established and fully equipped Dunbar’s analytical laboratory, ensuring compliance with rigorous GMP standards. James leads the day to day running of the laboratories as well as the development and validation of analytical methods, while effectively training and overseeing the Quality Control team.

Collaborating closely with Quality Assurance and Operations, James ensures seamless integration of analytical processes within the broader manufacturing framework. His deep expertise includes method transfer and validation, vendor management, instrument maintenance, and conducting comprehensive audits. Prior to joining Dunbar, James held several progressive leadership roles at the Almac Group, where he fostered innovation and built high-performing teams. James holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Chemistry, a Diploma in Analytical Chemistry, and other qualifications in Chemistry with Computing.

Paul Fletcher is the Head of Facilities at Dunbar Pharmaceuticals, bringing three decades of hands-on experience in electrical contracting, engineering systems, and GMP facility operations. A certified electrician and former owner of a successful, long-standing electrical contracting business, Paul has a proven track record in constructing, refurbishing, and managing pharmaceutical-grade environments.

At Dunbar, Paul has been instrumental in the complete setup of the company’s state-of-the-art facility, overseeing the installation of all equipment and utilities to meet GMP requirements. His expertise lies in orchestrating complex engineering projects, from initial design through to operational readiness, including the implementation of critical systems such as HVAC, cleanroom environments, and utility infrastructures. Prior to his role at Dunbar, Paul held senior positions in various high-profile projects within the pharmaceutical sites, including Alkermes, KCI, Medtronic and others, where he was responsible for overseeing large-scale installations and ensuring seamless integration of electrical and engineering solutions. His hands-on approach and deep understanding of facility requirements have been instrumental in supporting Dunbar’s commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical research manufacturing.