Robin wears many hats: social entrepreneur, educator, podcast host, and first-time father learning the ropes 🍼👶

Based in Japan, he is the Co-founder of mymizu, a platform that reduces plastic waste through the power of technology and community.

Robin is also the Co-CEO of Social Innovation Japan, an organisation empowering people across all parts of society to take social and environmental action.

He is a guest lecturer at several universities (including the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy during the fall semester), and regularly gives talks and workshops on social impact, sustainability, and social innovation, as well as designing and facilitating creative training programs.

For 14+ years, Robin has worked with social enterprises, NGOs, and inter-governmental organisations (e.g. World Bank), and has managed sustainable development and disaster relief projects in countries including Haiti, Vanuatu, and Mozambique.

In 2017, he created the Michinoku Trail Walker project, walking 1,000+ kms along Japan’s coastline to promote adventure tourism to the disaster-affected Tohoku region and developing a free trail guide that has helped thousands of people make the journey themselves 🥾

Robin is also the co-host of Coffee with Changemakers, a podcast exploring the stories of changemakers taking on some of today’s biggest social and environmental challenges 🎙️

Robin is a regular speaker at events, companies, and conferences, and graduated with an M.A. in International Business from the University of Edinburgh. He is currently experimenting with making homemade natto (fermented soy beans) and enjoys going for daily walks with his daughter 👣👶

Prizes & Awards

  • MIT Technology Review, ‘Innovators Under-35’ Award

  • Business Insider Japan “BEYOND MILLENNIALS 2022” Award

  • Japan Minister of Environment Award 2020 (Zero Ocean Waste Award)

  • Japan Minister of Environment Award 2020 (Good Life Award)

  • NIKKEI ‘100 Businesses Building the Future of Japan’

  • Chivas Venture 2020, Japan Winner

  • iF World Design Guide, Social Impact Prize 2019 (1st Japan-based winner)

  • UNDP Social Innovation Challenge, 2019 Winner Japan

Board Of Directors

  • Social Innovation Japan G.I.A.

  • Shibuya QWS Innovation Council

  • Youth4Nature

Leadership Affiliations & Fellowships

  • Obama Leaders Asia-Pacific 2024 (Obama Foundation)

  • Indo-Pacific Leadership Lab Fellow 2024 (East-West Center)

  • One Young World Ambassador (One Young World)

  • Asia-Europe Foundation Young Leader (Asia-Europe Foundation)

  • HANDs! Disaster Education Fellow (Japan Foundation)

Advisor, Mentor & Judge

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