Esteban de Jesús
Regenerative Land Development & Immersive Experience Design

Dan is a regenerative land steward and immersive experience designer within the 5D Ventures ecosystem, where he brings a deeply integrated approach to cultivating living systems that nourish both people and place. His work centres on designing and tending landscapes that regenerate soil, support biodiversity, and create resilient, self-sustaining ecosystems.

At Mama Montana, Dan leads the development of the Forest of Abundance — a thriving, multi-layered environment where food, medicine, and habitat coexist in dynamic balance. Through thoughtful stewardship, he cultivates spaces that welcome both humans and wildlife, fostering ecosystems rooted in reciprocity, beauty, and long-term ecological health.

Drawing on a 26-year background as a chef, Dan maintains a strong connection between land and table. He works to ensure that what is grown is experienced in ways that honour seasonality, locality, and the intelligence of natural systems — translating the vitality of the land into meaningful, place-based experiences.

Earlier in his career, Dan’s work in the culinary world took him across continents, from remote mountain regions to luxury sailing yachts and Michelin-starred kitchens. He cooked for globally recognized figures including George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe, Larry Page, Larry Ellison, Richard Branson, and Barack Obama.

His transition into land stewardship began while working on Necker Island, where he led regenerative initiatives focused on reducing waste, implementing composting systems, improving energy efficiency, and supporting local growers. This experience marked a turning point — expanding his understanding of food as not only an expression of culture, but a powerful tool for restoration.

Today, Dan’s work reflects a fundamental shift: from feeding individuals to stewarding the conditions that sustain life itself.