Management

Irwin D. Simon is Chairman and Chief Executive officer at Tilray, Inc. An executive with over 30 years of experience building industry-leading, disruptive consumer packaged goods companies from organic and natural foods, dietary supplements, personal care, and cannabis. Before Tilray, Mr. Simon transformed Aphria Inc. into a profitable global cannabis company with leading market share brands. Mr. Simon founded The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN), a leading organic and natural products company, in 1993. As Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman, he led Hain Celestial for more than 25 years and grew the business to $3 billion in net sales with operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, providing consumers with A Healthier Way of Life™. He is also the Executive Chairman of Whole Earth Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: FREE), a global industry-leading platform focused on the “better for you” consumer packaged goods and ingredients space, and Presiding Director at MDC Partners Inc., a provider of marketing, activation and communications solutions and services.

Mr. Simon serves on the board of directors at Tulane University and the Board of Trustees at Poly Prep Country Day School. A true entrepreneur, Mr. Simon is also the majority owner of the Cape Breton Eagles, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team, and co-owner of St. John’s Edge of the National Basketball League of Canada.

Carl Merton is Chief Financial Officer at Tilray, Inc. He brings over 20 years of financial and business experience, with almost 12 years combined with Ernst & Young LLP and KPMG LLP. Mr. Merton joins Tilray from Aphria Inc. where he led as Chief Financial Officer transforming the company into a global cannabis leader. Prior to Aphria, he served as Vice-President, Special Projects at Atlas Tube Canada ULC, Chief Financial Officer of Reko International Group Inc. (TSXV: REK). Mr. Merton is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators (the “CICBV”). As the Chief Financial Officer of Tilray Inc., Mr. Merton is responsible for leading the finance department, strategic acquisitions and divestitures, budgeting, and internal controls.

Mr. Merton holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Sports Administration from Laurentian University. In addition, Mr. Merton, is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Motor City Community Credit Union, is the Chair of their Audit Committee, serves as an external member of the Audit Committee of the Greater Windsor & Essex County District School Board and has served as a past Chair of both the CICBV and the International Association of Professional Business Valuators.

Before joining Tilray in 2019, Rita most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Diageo North America supporting the transformation of the U.S. business and implementing strategic HR initiatives and models. Rita’s appointment represents Tilray’s commitment to the long-term growth and success of the people within the organization. She oversees the synchronization of the company’s growing global team and recruitment of talent all over the world.     

Rita Seguin attended the University of Windsor where she received her BA.

Berrin Noorata is Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Tilray, Inc. In her role, she leads corporate relations, global communications, government relations, corporate responsibility, and investor relations. Previously, she served as Vice President of Global Communications at Tilray, leading communications and PR strategies that helped build Tilray's reputation as a global pioneer and one of the most trusted companies in the cannabis industry.

Before joining the team at Tilray, Berrin created and led award-winning marketing, communications, and social impact initiatives at Privateer Holdings – the parent company of Tilray and industry-leading private equity firm. Berrin has over seven years of leadership experience building global cannabis brands and more than 15 years of experience working with visionary entrepreneurs across fashion, tech, and wellness industries.

Jared Simon is an experienced leader of natural food brands, focused on building a more healthful and sustainable food system. Jared brings 20 years of general management experience in the food industry along with a deep knowledge of public health. Prior to joining Tilray, Jared was the President of CORE Foods, an innovative functional food company reshaping the nutrition bar category. Jared spent nearly 10 years at Hain Celestial, holding various leadership positions including Vice President & General Manager roles over Hain Celestial’s Baby, Snacks, and Pantry divisions. Jared also served as Hain Celestial’s Vice President of Food Strategy & Advocacy. Jared started his career at Kraft Foods, where he spent 10 years in brand management and shopper marketing roles.

Jared holds a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Jared currently serves on the Advisory Board for Food Tank – The Think Tank for Food.

Fredrick “Freddy” Bensch is known as the co-founder at SweetWater Brewing Company, ranked number 14th out of the Top 50 Craft Breweries in the United States. He began his brewing career at Rockies Brewing Company in Boulder, Colorado while pursuing an Environmental Science degree at Colorado University. After graduation, he realized he had more of an interest in beer and headed out to the West Coast to attend the American Brewers Guild in California where he acquired a degree in Fermentation Science. Freddy formed SweetWater Brewing in 1997 and continues to lead the charge with his innovative and strategic approach in the craft beer industry.