Team
The Earth Embassy is a design, construction, planning and consultancy team that specializes in providing clients with high level networking solutions, sustainable project design and progressive business strategies.
Jacob Reiner
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Jacob (Cornell '93) has 20 years global experience in project planning, team establishment, branding, market entry and investment management. Specializing in real estate development, sustainable architecture, community design, agricultural development, process establishment and bringing projects to profitability in challenging environments. He is effective at directing PR, outreach to regional governments, consensus building across teams, and inclusion of local resources and economic incubation.
Daishiro Okada
Business Development
Okada-san is a business development expert, specializing in rural community connectivity and digitalization. With years of international experience as President (COO) of Square Enix, a Director at Deutsche Bank (London), and a banker at Industrial Bank of of Japan (Mizuho), Daishiro brings cross-cultural understanding and deep connections throughout the Japanese business world. In 2019, he founded HLD Lab (Happy Life Design Lab) and currently advises numerous government boards and initiatives.
Byron Nagy
Project Management
Byron is a skilled business developer, a serial entrepreneur, and a respected leader in sustainable construction and agricultural development. He is the founder of Sekaibito Recruiting, Chiki Chicken and the OMG baby leaf company. Previously he worked as a consultant and project manager at Pasona and Michael Page International. He holds an MS from the United Nations University; a BA from Manhattan College, and a Certificate of Human Resources Management from Temple University Japan.
Keith Little
Architecture & Engineering
Keith is an experienced architectural engineer and a licensed architect in Japan and has held positions at Nikken Sekei and Toda Corporation. He has worked globally on projects across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. He holds a Master of Engineering and Architecture from Tokyo Institute of Technology.
TEAM
The Earth Embassy is a design, construction, planning and consultancy team that specializes in providing clients with high level networking solutions, sustainable project design and progressive business strategies.
Jacob Reiner
Director of Architecture and Sustainable Design
Jacob (Cornell '93) has 20 years global experience in project planning, team establishment, branding, market entry and investment management. Specializing in real estate development, sustainable architecture, community design, agricultural development, process establishment and bringing projects to profitability in challenging environments. He is effective at directing PR, outreach to regional governments, consensus building across teams, and inclusion of local resources and economic incubation.
Byron Nagy
Director of Agriculture
Byron is a leader in connecting sustainable agricultural projects with business acumen and community development. He is the founder of Sekaibito, Chiki Chicken and the OMG baby leaf company. Byron is native New Yorker with 10 years experience in Japan B2B sales, business development, recruitment consulting and marketing strategy with clients including Pasona and Michael Page International. He holds an MS from the United Nations University; a BA from Manhattan College; and a HR Management Certificate from Temple University Japan.
Alex Feldman
CEA and AI Specialist
Alex has a Masters in Applied Biosciences and specializes in Controlled Environment Agriculture and Applied Instrumentation of AI sensors and feedback systems for optimizing plant growth. He is a researcher and programmer working with 3D modeling for phenotyping at the University of Tokyo and has held positions at Japan Plant Factory Association at Chiba University, the Kacira Lab at University of Arizona, and ASU.
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Emilie McGlone
Global Outreach
Emilie is the Director of Peace Boat US in the United Nations Plaza, an international NGO that works to create a culture of peace and sustainability through global voyages onboard a ship rounding the world on Peace Voyages, visiting more than 100 countries per year. She is also founder of Parties4Peace, a non-profit production team that organizes creative events to promote peace through dance and music.
Keith Little
Architecture & Engineering
Keith is an experienced architectural engineer and a licensed architect in Japan. He has worked globally on projects across Asia, Australia and the Middle East and help positions at Nikken Sekei and Toda Corporation. He holds a Master of Engineering and Architecture from Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Jurika Wada
Team Development
Jurika oversees team organizational development, HR management, as well as project legal and safety compliance issues. Her previous professional experience is in marketing and Japan account management for an international environmental safety company. She is also an experienced environmental educator, outdoor adventure guide, kayak tour leader and has climbed Mt Fuji more than 40 times.
Stefan Bekker, MBA
Senior Project Manager
Stefan has managed design teams ranging from 10 to 146 professionals, including construction teams, interior designers, CAD operators and architects. He has been the lead project manager for technical teams including electrical, structural and mechanical engineers (M&E) in projects ranging from £10- to £150 million.
Paul D. Hirsch, PhD
Community Development
Paul's work involves developing stakeholder cooperation across complex conservation issues in a social milieu characterized by structural inequalities while optimizing fair use of biodiversity, ecosystem services, natural resources and natural capital. Paul did his undergraduate work at Cornell University and holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and a Masters in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development from the Georgia Institute of Technology
Hanada Takuya
Strategic Planning
Hanada-san is a network specialist across agriculture, renewable energy, environmental technology, IoT, AI, DLT, research, strategy planning, business development and marketing support. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Economics at Gakushuin University and founded Sotokoto Research Institute of Social Business think tank with former Japan House of Representatives congressman Seiichi Mizuno. Clients include: Saison Group (PISA ), Japan Life Design Systems, FlontLine.JP, D4DR, METI IT&IP , ZE Energy Biomass, Neo Sports Co Ltd, M-Log, Sky Agri resources Inc. Director of a joint venture between ZEN Holdings and Chiba Nousan, Farmland owned qualified corporation Chiba nourinsuisan.
Dylan Licopoli
Front Yard Farms
Dylan has 25 years experience in construction, landscaping, organic agriculture and "Front Yard Farming". He is the founder of HOGS Home Organic Gardening Service and has designed and installed more than 100 gardens, composting systems, hoop houses, and water management systems.He holds a Master Gardener certification through Cornell and a Permaculture Design certification through the Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living and Education.
Hiroko Kashiwada
Real Estate Advisor
Hiroko-san is an experienced developer, founding CEO of Fujiya Properties and a long time member of the Fujiyoshida Rotary Club. She is also a highly regarded chef and key director for our food product development and branding teams.
Suzuki Shoko
Director of Educational Development
Shoko is an educational specialist and our cultural liaison. She is the founder of PelanPelan, an outdoor tour company specializing in unique and profound experience production. Her work with corporate training and outreach is key to our foundation of education and resident empowerment.