Naomi Mackenzie
KITRO & Venturelab
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Trainer and Startup Coach
Naomi MacKenzie is a half American half Swiss, born in Texas. Homeschooled, a recreational van and entrepreneurial parents lead to a childhood that was anything but conventional. Learning by doing and immersing yourself into the environment with curiosity was the foundation of her education. Food was one of her biggest curiosities from an early age as she aspired to one
day own a restaurant.
As of 15, Naomi started working in kitchens and set out as an apprentice in a kitchen. However, it quickly became clear that being a chef would lack the business interest she had. This set the path that eventually led her to study at the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. An education that would allow the passion for food and business to thrive.
Along the way Naomi worked in various kitchens, during these work experiences (in Switzerland, Italy and Miami) and her studies she witnessed daily the enormous amount of food that is being thrown away. That’s why when the idea was sparked during the studies with Anastasia to combat food waste it was clear that this was the solution and impact she wanted to commit herself to. Having worked with Anastasia during an internship and the final bachelor project there was no doubt that this would be the right person to build a company with.
The environmental impact that KITRO is the main driver for Naomi as she strives to ensure that all food is appreciated. Fascinated by the world of technology, in another life she would’ve been a coder.
KITRO harmoniously combines her love for food, her fascination for technology and drive for sustainable impact. Within KITRO she has learnt mounds with a focus leading the following departments: Sales & Marketing, Partnerships and Product development.
In the entrepreneurial space and thanks to the learnings and success of KITRO, Naomi was rewarded: Switzerland digital shaper 2020 & 2021 and has been a Venturelab startup coach for the past 3 years.