Our People
We believe in using carbon for good
By embracing natural principles, we’ve created decarbonization solutions that enable people and planet to profit and thrive.
Julia Cartwright,
CPO, Rain Cage Carbon
Collaboration. Innovation. Kindness.
These are the cornerstones of our engagements.
We choose our teammates deliberately
The Rain Cage Carbon team is purpose-built and passionate. We have an appetite for changing the world and a shared belief that we are building something bigger than ourselves.
We choose our clients deliberately
Every company entity brings new value and expertise to corporate, social, and environmental goals. A willingness to collaborate and a strong sense of purpose set our clients apart.
The Rain Cage Carbon Team
Blair Aiken
Chairman of the Board
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Fun Fact
Blair has studied and lived in over 11 cities around the globe but chose to settle down in Calgary because of its “abundance of kindness and opportunity.”
When he’s not changing the world for the better, Blair spends his time with his four children. As an accomplished artist, Blair finds inspiration for his scientific process while painting fine art.
Blair Aiken
Chairman of the Board
As Chairman and Co-founder of Rain Cage Carbon, Blair Aiken divides his time between Board management and directing RCC’s extensive R&D activities.
He aims to take climate change from the impossible to something we discuss as a distant memory. As a serial entrepreneur and inventor, Blair challenges the usual approach to business and the environment as his focus is on finding new and effective ways to make a positive and lasting impact on energy solutions and society.
Blair has over 35 years of experience focusing on complex technologies. Early in his career, he was recruited for confidential research programs on global energy infrastructure and economic interdependencies and chemical and aerospace reverse engineering projects, where he spent many years gaining unique experience.
His reputation for developing strong, influential relationships and innovative technologies led him to enter private life working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, and major companies such as ConocoPhillips and Proctor and Gamble, Statoil, etc., and as a contributor to CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies).
Before co-founding Rain Cage Carbon, Blair also co-founded several companies, including Calgary-based Kara Technologies, a cleantech company dedicated to developing the next generation of technology for the economical production of low-emission fuels and petrochemicals.
Fun Fact
Blair has studied and lived in over 11 cities around the globe but chose to settle down in Calgary because of its “abundance of kindness and opportunity.”
When he’s not changing the world for the better, Blair spends his time with his four children. As an accomplished artist, Blair finds inspiration for his scientific process while painting fine art.
Julia Cartwright
People
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Fun Fact
When she’s not being the people person at Rain Cage Carbon, she can be found at the basketball court or soccer pitch cheering on her two athletic boys. She loves to escape the bustle of city life in Toronto by taking her trailer on the road with her family and dog, Sloane. Julia is inspired by rich conversation, overcoming challenges, lifting weights and enjoying wine of all colours and regions.
Julia Cartwright
People
As the caretaker of all things related to the people of Rain Cage Carbon, Julia Cartwright is responsible for building an inimitable culture that can scale globally while owning the entire Human Capital Management function at Rain Cage Carbon.
Julia has more than 20 years of experience in HR, communications, marketing and coaching in a variety of corporate, agency and startup environments. She is a true business partner, culture crusader, truth seeker and transparent communicator who loves taking companies and their cultures from early start up to new and exciting heights. In her various HR leadership roles, her brand and expertise lie in the areas of business strategy, process implementation, leadership development, organizational transformation and creating highly engaged workforces.
Julia holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology and is also an Adler Certified Coach (ACC). With her “business led, HR architected ” business motto, combined with her desire to improve any environment she’s in makes her an asset to the Rain Cage team.
Fun Fact
When she’s not being the people person at Rain Cage Carbon, she can be found at the basketball court or soccer pitch cheering on her two athletic boys. She loves to escape the bustle of city life in Toronto by taking her trailer on the road with her family and dog, Sloane. Julia is inspired by rich conversation, overcoming challenges, lifting weights and enjoying wine of all colours and regions.
Mark Blake
Chief Executive Officer
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Fun Fact
Mark is a maker and tinkerer at heart. He was building 3D printers and drones 10 years before they became part of our common vocabulary. As a member of the local maker space, he fills what spare time he has building furniture, turning bowls or taking on a new Arduino project with his kids.
Mark Blake
Chief Executive Officer
Mark brings extensive experience in developing, commercializing, and implementing technology solutions on a global scale to his role as CEO at Rain Cage Carbon.
From building a national $750 million fibre-to-the premise network in Singapore, to implementing stock exchange trading and clearance & settlement systems in emerging markets such as Nigeria, Romania and Egypt, Mark has led organizations through significant growth and change. Mark is a highly collaborative leader bringing deep expertise in business development, product development, operations management, corporate development, and strategic stakeholder relations to his role at Rain Cage.
Mark’s passion for working in organizations with a growth mindset and keen interest in the development and application of new businesses and markets is in perfect alignment with Rain Cage Carbon’s mission of harnessing the power of carbon to create opportunities for a greener future. Mark holds a BSc in Computer Science and an MBA from the Ivey Business School.
Fun Fact
Mark is a maker and tinkerer at heart. He was building 3D printers and drones 10 years before they became part of our common vocabulary. As a member of the local maker space, he fills what spare time he has building furniture, turning bowls or taking on a new Arduino project with his kids.
Dan Humphries
Managing Partner
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Fun Fact
Dan was raised to be a steward of the environment and believes that if we have an ability to eliminate our carbon footprint, we should. Dan resides with his family in Calgary and is passionate and dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being a positive role model for his children.
Dan Humphries
Managing Partner
As Managing Partners and co-founder of Rain Cage Carbon, Dan Humphries has a multi-faceted role driving the company’s special projects, including product and technology development and commercial deployment operations. Dan is an accomplished business development professional who has worked with Fortune 500 companies, small-to-medium sized businesses and is a serial entrepreneur. With over a decade of experience in various oil and gas value chain roles, Dan’s focus within the energy sector has primarily been in optimization and disruptive technology developments.
Originally from the UK, Dan was a member of the Royal Air Force, where he attended the Tri Service School of Engineering studying aircraft engineering with a specialization in avionics.
Fun Fact
Dan was raised to be a steward of the environment and believes that if we have an ability to eliminate our carbon footprint, we should. Dan resides with his family in Calgary and is passionate and dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being a positive role model for his children.
Brian Aiken
Product Development
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Fun Fact
When he’s not inventing new products and making the world a better place, he can be found creating those things that are most important to this planet: building memories, sharing smiles, and connecting with his family and friends.
Brian Aiken
Product Development
Leading our product development and innovation arm of the business, Brian is charged with expanding on Rain Cage Carbon’s suite of exciting renewable products. Brian has collaborated and developed with Blair a variety of innovative and scalable environmental systems over the years to enhance industrial operations AND our planet.
Known as a strong strategic business development leader and executive coach, Brian strives to create a unified vision and belief system, where everyone takes ownership and shares in the success by having each discipline working in concert FOR each other. His strong leadership skills makes him a known quantity as he always positions a company better than he found it with a focus on culture, purpose and growth. Brian is a true impact player.
Brian’s belief is that not only should products perform great and have that WOW factor but they also must have a story that engages all players across the organization, with a reason for being, and also carry an emotive connection with the intended audience. His product and brand development legacy lives on in companies like Tupperware, Little Tikes and Fisher Price, just to name a few. Brian has been honored with a variety of International and Industry Design Awards, exhibited in museums and over 20+ patents to his name and he’s just getting started.
Brian has a Bachelor’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Industrial and Product Design. Is a thought leader, speaker, Chaired Design and Engineering related conferences and events and was a board member of the Explore & More Children’s Museum.
Fun Fact
When he’s not inventing new products and making the world a better place, he can be found creating those things that are most important to this planet: building memories, sharing smiles, and connecting with his family and friends.
Tony Agbonkhese
Africa + Rain Cage
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Fun Fact
Tony is a passionate enthusiast of sports and has participated at the varsity levels in both basketball and soccer. As an ardent believer in the unifying power of sports, he sees it as a means of bridging diverse communities. In 2008, Tony, along with a group of friends, embarked on the establishment of a soccer club for Africans in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Soccafrique). The club’s primary objective was to promote and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Africa while mentoring the youths and serving local communities. Over time, the club gained recognition in the city, with both male and female teams.
Tony Agbonkhese
Africa + Rain Cage
Tony Agbonkhese serves as the President & CEO of Africa + Rain Cage (A+RC), the African subsidiary of Rain Cage Carbon (RCC). His primary responsibility is to establish A+RC and deploy RCC’s suite of technologies in Africa. Prior to his role at A+RC, Tony founded and led Nerdia Connect Inc., an international trade and business development firm specializing in facilitating the expansion of foreign companies into Africa and vice versa. His motivation for founding this company is rooted in his passion for fostering Africa’s growth and empowering its youth.
Prior to joining Nerdia Connect, Tony accumulated a wealth of experience through his tenure in diverse industries such as consulting, government, healthcare, electric generation, and electric distribution. During his career, he held various positions in accounting, project management, and operations, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in different sectors. Currently, he serves on the board of The Africa Centre, a non-profit organization committed to promoting access and full participation of the African descent community in Alberta, Canada.
Tony is a graduate of Acadia University’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and holds certifications in Project Management and Asset Management. Additionally, he has earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a specialization in strategic management. With more than 18 years of experience, Tony is regarded as a change agent who consistently strives for excellence.
Fun Fact
Tony is a passionate enthusiast of sports and has participated at the varsity levels in both basketball and soccer. As an ardent believer in the unifying power of sports, he sees it as a means of bridging diverse communities. In 2008, Tony, along with a group of friends, embarked on the establishment of a soccer club for Africans in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Soccafrique). The club’s primary objective was to promote and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Africa while mentoring the youths and serving local communities. Over time, the club gained recognition in the city, with both male and female teams.
Justin Hospedales
Africa + Rain Cage
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Fun Fact
When Justin is not working towards a brighter future for Africa, you’ll find him immersed in his passions for sports and real estate in Toronto. Justin’s love for sports ignited during his youth, where he proudly represented St. Michael’s College School in various sports. This passion continued to flourish as he became a member of the Acadia Axemen University football team.
Justin Hospedales
Africa + Rain Cage
Justin Hospedales brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Vice President of Africa + Rain Cage (A+RC), a subsidiary of Rain Cage Carbon (RCC). With over 15 years of expertise in client engagement and relationship management at top marketing and financial institutions globally, Justin has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and nurturing long-term partnerships. Prior to his current position, Justin was a founding partner and Chief Business Development Officer at Nerdia Connect Inc., where he played a vital role in promoting bilateral trade and business relations between Canada and Africa.
Passionate about illuminating Africa with sustainable energy solutions, Justin is dedicated to providing Africa with power while reducing the world’s carbon footprint. He firmly believes in the power of collaboration, innovation, and advocacy to achieve a just energy transition and eliminate energy poverty. Leveraging his expertise, market insights, and client engagement skills, Justin is committed to making a positive impact on clients, communities, and the environment.
Justin is an alumnus of Acadia University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in political science. Furthermore, he acquired post-graduate certificates from esteemed institutions such as Harvard University, Google, and Mortgage Professionals Canada.
Fun Fact
When Justin is not working towards a brighter future for Africa, you’ll find him immersed in his passions for sports and real estate in Toronto. Justin’s love for sports ignited during his youth, where he proudly represented St. Michael’s College School in various sports. This passion continued to flourish as he became a member of the Acadia Axemen University football team.
Zion Adeoye
Africa + Rain Cage
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Fun Fact
Despite his studious nature, Zion possesses an unexpected and intense passion for Formula One racing. His enthusiasm for the sport is evident as he diligently follows the latest races, meticulously analyzes the strategies employed by drivers, and stays abreast of the overall standings. Engrossed in the world of Formula One, Zion’s fascination extends beyond mere spectatorship. He actively immerses himself in the sport’s rich history, diligently studying iconic moments and the legendary drivers who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Zion Adeoye
Africa + Rain Cage
Zion Adeoye is the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer for Africa + Rain Cage (A+RC), a subsidiary of Rain Cage Carbon (RCC). In addition to his role at A+RC, Zion also holds the position of CEO and Partner at CLG. With extensive experience in energy law, Zion has played a key role in securing favorable outcomes for clients across Africa. He has provided strategic advice on various oil and gas investments and has been involved in major transactions that have contributed to the success and growth of his firm. His appointment as CEO in 2024 is a testament to his valuable contributions and dedication to positioning CLG as a leading energy firm in Africa.
Prior to joining CLG in 2017, he held roles at various organizations, including the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, KPMG Nigeria, Terra Cotta Legal, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Templars Law, and Transnational Energy Group. Zion has been instrumental in shaping oil and gas legislation across several African markets and has been recognized with an ESQ 40 under 40 Lawyer Award at the Nigerian Rising Stars Awards for his contributions to the legal profession.
Zion holds an LLB from Nigeria’s University of Ibadan, an LLM from Columbia University in New York, and an MBA from the University of Dundee in Scotland. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Association of Independent Petroleum Negotiators.
Fun Fact
Despite his studious nature, Zion possesses an unexpected and intense passion for Formula One racing. His enthusiasm for the sport is evident as he diligently follows the latest races, meticulously analyzes the strategies employed by drivers, and stays abreast of the overall standings. Engrossed in the world of Formula One, Zion’s fascination extends beyond mere spectatorship. He actively immerses himself in the sport’s rich history, diligently studying iconic moments and the legendary drivers who have left an indelible mark on the sport.