About the Team
Norine MacDonald
PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER
Norine MacDonald KC is President and Founder of RAIN Defense + AI.
She was formerly President and Founder of The International Council on Security and Development (ICOS), an international security and development, a think tank founded in 2002 with offices in Kabul, London, Rio de Janeiro, Brussels and Paris, and field offices in the Afghan cities of Lashkar Gah and Kandahar City.
Ms MacDonald is Former Visiting Distinguished Fellow at National Defense University. Her research focus is on issues related to the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and the defense and intelligence sector. Specific research interests include mapping the Artificial Intelligence for defense and intelligence innovation ecosystem, with a view to providing policy insight for decision makers, as well as global mapping of this sector. In 2020 MacDonald authored, ‘Killing Me Softly: Competition in Artificial Intelligence and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles‘ with George Howell.
She graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management in Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy in September 2020.
In 2018 MacDonald was awarded the US Department of the Army Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service and also in 2018, she received the Distinguished Public Service Medal for exceptional service to the United States Army.
Emmanuel Reinert
CEO
Emmanuel Reinert is the CEO of RAIN Defense + AI.
He has many years of leadership experience if a range of fields including corporate business development, global security, defense and intelligence.
He was the Executive Director of the International Council of Security and Development (ICOS).
Mr. Reinert is graduated from Said Business Scholl University of Oxford Venture Finance Programme and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management Digital Transformation Platform.
George Howell
DIRECTOR OF RAIN+ Industry
George Howell is the Director of RAIN+ Industry. In 2022 Howell was lead author on three of RAIN Research’s commercial reports: High-Altitude Platform Systems + Artificial Intelligence, High-Altitude Long-Endurance Uncrewed Systems, and The Venture Capital + Defense Directory. Howell co-authored a paper for National Defense University’ PRISM Magazine ‘Singularity’ issue with Norine MacDonald QC, President + Founder of RAIN. Published in January 2020, ‘Killing Me Softly: Competition in Artificial Intelligence and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles’ explored the use of artificial intelligence in military uncrewed aerial vehicles
Howell previously worked for The International Council on Security and Development (ICOS), conducting research into global security and economic development.
In 2008 he helped establish The Centre for Excellence on Public Security in Rio de Janeiro, a think tank working to bring together policy makers, independent experts, for dialogues towards generating innovative solutions to complex public policy issues.
Dr. Jorrit Kamminga
DIRECTOR of RAIN+ Ethics
Jorrit Kamminga is Director of RAIN+ Ethics. He is also an Associate Fellow at the Clingendael Institute. Dr. Kamminga brings two decades of experience working on the nexus between security and development, with a special focus on Afghanistan and Colombia. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Valencia, Spain.
He was previously Director of Research of The International Council on Security and Development (ICOS), conducting field research in central, southern and western Afghanistan.
Kyle Kunkle
ANALYST
Kyle Kunkle is an analyst at RAIN Defense + AI supporting the RAINCLOUD platform development. Based in the Outer Hebrides, he brings over 10 years of experience in the field of General Technology.
Ross Budge
ANALYST
Ross Budge is an analyst at RAIN Defence + AI supporting the RAINCLOUD platform from Stornoway, Scotland. He graduated from the University of Aberdeen with an MA in History and International Relations. His experience lies in analysing international security challenges and strategies as well as in community outreach and engagement.
Ross Maciver
ANALYST
Ross Maciver is an analyst at RAIN Defense + AI based in Stornoway, Scotland. His main role is supporting the development of the RAINCLOUD platform,. Maciver has experience in data analysis and in data research. In 2020, he graduated from Webber International University in Florida, with a degree in Business Administration. He has a strong interest in international relations and developing working knowledge in the fields of artificial intelligence and national security.
Parker Fitzgerald
ANALYST
Vincent Carchidi
ANALYST
Parker Fitzgerald is an analyst at RAIN Defence + AI supporting the RAINCLOUD platform development. He is currently a fourth year student at the Pennsylvania State University studying International Politics with a focus on National Security. He brings experience analysing defense and national security news working for a US Department of Defense contractor in the intelligence community.
William Allbrooks
IT SUPPORT
William Allbrooks is an Information Systems Manager and US Army veteran with 20+ years of experience. His professional trajectory includes over twelve years working Executive Communications as a Primary/Personal Communicator for 8 four-star Generals from all branches of the military. Allbrooks, a highly decorated soldier, served eight deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His hands-on experience spans from software programming, cybersecurity and network administration, to project management and personnel management throughout the US Department of Defense. His certifications include ITIL, Sec+, Server+, and A+. In addition to his role at RAIN Defense + AI, Allbrooks is currently focused on devising solutions to complex communication and operational problems in the private sector.
OUR SUPPORT TEAM
WestPoint
Bodhi
Ruby
Moki
Vida
“It is impossible to forget a dog, that gave us so much to remember.”
Luna
Maximus
Freya
Dyson
Schooner
