At Uncaged Innovations, we believe that redefining the future of materials demands more than breakthrough science—it calls for deep expertise in sustainability, global operations, and long-term industry transformation.
That’s why we’re proud to count Noel Kinder among the members of our Board of Directors.
With over two decades of leadership at Nike—including his role as Chief Sustainability Officer—Noel brings an unmatched understanding of how to scale innovation across complex global systems. His work has consistently centered on replacing traditional materials with sustainable alternatives, aligning perfectly with our own mission to eliminate leather and plastic from the equation.
Throughout his career, Noel has overseen environmental operations across 550 factories in 42 countries, and helped advance sustainability standards through collaborations with governments, NGOs, and academic institutions. His ability to navigate both operational realities and strategic vision makes him an invaluable asset to our team.
“Decarbonizing the footwear and apparel industries begins with finding innovative alternatives to traditional commodity materials. What drew me to UNCAGED is its ability to produce high-quality leather alternatives at a commercial scale. Many materials in this space remain in development, but UNCAGED has already achieved the operational capability needed to make a tangible impact. I’m excited to help guide the company as it expands its reach.”, Noel shared.
His contributions have already helped us deepen our presence across key sectors like footwear and fashion, and further refine how we bring ELEVATE™, our grain-based, high-performance biomaterial to designers and manufacturers around the world.
As we continue to grow, we’re energized by the shared belief that sustainability and performance are priorities.
We’re grateful to have Noel’s insight and leadership as we reimagine what materials can be and what they can represent.