Our Founders

Kotn was founded in 2015 by Co-Founders Rami Helali, Benjamin Sehl and Mackenzie Yeates.

Rami Helali — Co-Founder and CEO

Launching and overseeing the business and operations in Canada and Egypt, Rami is tasked with ensuring company and community growth, working hands-on with investors and farmers alike. A Richard Ivey School of Business graduate from Western University, Rami previously worked in private equity as Director of Business Development in New York. Rami has been recognized in Forbes’ global 30 Under 30, as well as the Forbes Arab 30 Under 30.

Mackenzie Yeates — Co-Founder

Mackenzie started her career in Fashion Direction and Brand Strategy at Holt Renfrew before moving to New York to work as Brand Senior Manager at luxury creative agency, Watson & Co.  That is where she met Ben & Rami and they started dreaming of building Kotn. Mackenzie is a typical Cancer who is passionate about her family, women's issues, parties, pasta, swimming in lakes and crying over good ads and good films.

Benjamin Sehl — Co-Founder

Ben is a marketer, designer and developer from Toronto, Canada. Co-founder of Kotn, he works on designing and scaling the customer and digital experience. His primary focus is service design and growth within retail & e-commerce, but has worked in the culture and technology sectors performing graphic design, branding, mobile product design, data analysis, web development, and customer support functions. Ben now leads Product at Shopify and also advises early-stage brands and startups on their growth and product strategy.

---