Elevate Your Grind

Nicole Redler is Senior Community Affairs Manager at Eaze, California’s largest legal cannabis marketplace and the state’s largest cannabis employer. Nicole leads Eaze’s patient and veteran advocacy programs, building meaningful relationships to amplify community voices on important policy issues across California. To date, Eaze has completed over seven million deliveries, breaking own barriers to access and building community through industry-leading social impact and equity programs. With a focus on supporting marginalized communities, Nicole works closely with the Social Impact team to bolster Momentum, Eaze’s business accelerator for BIPOC, veteran, LGBTQ and female founders. Nicole was instrumental in building public and industry support for Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 34, which restored compassionate care programs in California; today, she leads Eaze Compassion, which provides free medical cannabis to low-income Californians fighting cancer, glaucoma, chronic pain, PTSD, and other debilitating health conditions.

Jamie Evans is the co-founder and CEO of Herbacée. As a notable cannabis and wine personality, she is best known for creating The Herb Somm, a cannabis blog and lifestyle brand that is focused on the gourmet side of the industry. In addition to leading the Herbacée team, Jamie is a celebrated writer and author. Jamie the author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol. Her second book, Cannabis Drinks: Secrets to Crafting CBD and THC Beverages at Home published by Fair Winds Press of Quarto Publishing Group.

Born with strong business instincts, Eric has been an entrepreneur and investor for several companies for 35 years now. This highly motivated professional is an activist by nature willing to make the world a better place, and this is exhibited in his and his company’s work ethics.

As a fonder of Palo Santo and Bridge Investments, Daniel has ben actively investing with and supporting inspired entrepreneurs for 20 years. Years ago he saw the potential of psychedelic medicines and has developed a deep network of relationships across the psychedelic research and business communities. His passion for the space is purpose-driven and science informed. He is thrilled to be a part of Palo Santo's mission of supporting promising treatments while ensuring widespread access to safe, legal, and effective solutions.

Light Townsend is the Chief Legal Officer of Green Point and works to ensure operations of the company and the work of the other executives stay compliant in this regulated industry. Prior to Green Point, Light was a management consultant overseeing business efficiency planning, management advisory, and reorganization projects for clients in the regulated industries of banking, insurance, and large law firms. Further, Light started a consulting company helping guide businesses through the claims process under the BP Deep Water Horizon Settlement. Utilizing a proprietary internal process Light developed, over $80,000,000 was recovered for his clients. Recently, Light published a book through the American Bar Association regarding the formation of captive insurance companies titled Modern Captive Insurance.

Marion is a serial entrepreneur who has founded, invested in, or been an advisor to over a dozen start-ups. He is a regular guest speaker at events such as Denver Start-up Week, CU Denver’s program on social entrepreneurship, and the United Nations Global Accelerator Initiative. Marion studied Architecture and Computer Science at the University of Kansas and Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business Management at Emporia State University.

Freeminded is a luxury cannabis accessory brand producing unique joint holder tubes, cannabis storage boxes, and carrying cases in bold colors and rich materials. We sat down with Creative Director and COO, Todd Wayne, to hear about his exposure to the fashion industry as a kid, and why he decided to move into the cannabis industry with FREEMINDED.

Tim Conder is the President and Chief Operating Officer at TILT Holdings and the co-founder and CEO of Blackbird, a business solutions company and a supply chain software and operations company, respectively. Since founding Blackbird in 2015, Mr. Conder has overseen the rapid growth of his business in two of the most robust cannabis markets—California and Nevada. Under Mr. Conder’s leadership, Blackbird has efficiently navigated the complex regulatory structures of both states, and currently operates five fully licensed cannabis distribution facilities across the region with plans to expand into several additional markets in 2019. Blackbird is a best-in-class distribution, delivery, and technology business, with over 200 employees and 75 compliant distribution & delivery vehicles.

Erika Tingey is Head of Product at Backbone, and is responsible for the engagement and development of Backbone’s customizable cannabis manufacturing supply chain software. She champions her personal mission to help businesses be successful with support and creativity by solving unique challenges cannabis companies face and developing features based on client insights. Drawing from her background as a software engineer at QuickBooks and Product Management at Sage Intacct, Erika brings expertise in financial systems, accounting, and inventory to the needs of enterprise customers.

Lizandro Salazar V is the President and Co-Founder of ArcataXInc., a Type 7 cannabis extraction operator based in Humboldt County. ArcataX was the first to legally operate with an unprecedented track record of excellence as one of California's premier bulk live resin wholesalers and co-packers.  ArcataX is currently the main supplier for five of the top ten most recognized brands in the California market, and we sit down with Lizandro to talk about the company’s expansion and Humboldt roots.