WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – The cannabis industry is quick to celebrate sales figures and product launches, the popular players, and celebrity partnerships. Less often applauded are the “quiet” folks behind the scenes — the executives who don’t seek the limelight; the ones who focus on the unglamorous side of growing a business, advocating and lobbying for cannabis reform, or connecting with their communities in tangible ways. These people provide the stability, endurance, and long-term vision necessary for the industry to thrive.
That realization provided the catalyst for the Influential Executives of Cannabis (IEC) Leadership Awards. The brainchild of Proven Media founder and Chief Executive Officer Kim Prince, the awards comprise a series of regional events across the United States recognizing the individuals who are professionalizing cannabis. Founded in Arizona in 2023, the honors went national this year through a strategic collaboration with RW Navis & Associates’ serial The Canna Pac gatherings.
“The Influential Executives of Cannabis project started organically, driven by a desire to recognize individuals who were keeping their heads down while moving the industry forward,” Prince said. “Many individuals, particularly within the cannabis industry, believe success is about optics such as looking the part, winning a popularity contest, or having the largest social media following. This award series is not designed for them. The IEC Awards are based on peer recommendations, overall accomplishments, and meaningful industry contributions. They are designed as the antithesis of a popularity contest.”
Prince and her associates spent a good deal of time defining exactly who the awards are for and how the process would be structured to give value to the honor.
“Too many award programs function as lead-generation engines for the host company, with recognition often tied to how many votes, or “leads,” a nominee can generate,” Prince said. “Other typical criteria may include the size of a nominee’s social media following and the frequency with which they promote the award to their audience.
“The strength of this series lies in the community,” she continued. “We rely on industry stakeholders, employees, and peers to help us identify the leaders who are doing the hard work behind the scenes.”
The essential criteria for IEC honors are:
- Stewardship: How is the executive moving the needle for the entire industry, not just their own bottom line?
- Mentorship: Are they investing in the next generation of leadership?
- Stability: Have they demonstrated the ability to lead a company through the volatile “green rush” and into a phase of sustainable growth?
- Integrity: Does their leadership reflect the professionalization and accountability the modern market demands?
The first IEC event of 2026 took place March 17 at E.P. & L.P.’s rooftop restaurant and lounge in West Hollywood, California. Against an iconic Los Angeles skyline, dozens of cannabis industry execs networked in a relaxing setting while custom-made trophies were visited upon those who had been singled out for, as Prince put it, “building lifeboats for others in a notoriously sink-or-swim market.”
“In my work, I most enjoy collaborating with smart, driven, and intentional executives who are highly focused on success,” she said. “The event in West Hollywood reminded me how much these individuals appreciate the opportunity to be recognized. The honorees were kind, gracious, and appreciated the awards. It was a joyous occasion.”
The next Influential Executives of Cannabis Awards will be presented in Paradise Valley, Arizona, on May 28, and Chicago on June 14.
Influential Executives of Cannabis, West Coast region
Mishka and Slava Ashbel
Brothers Mishka and Slava Ashbel, co-founders of MMD Shops, have spent nearly two decades transforming a single medical collective launched in 2006 into one of California’s most enduring retail brands. As Belarusian immigrants, the Ashbels call their careers “a testament to the American dream.” Their transition from the legacy market to the highly regulated modern space was spotlighted in the Hulu docuseries High Hopes, which revealed their prime considerations for building a successful business: trust, transparency, and a bit of hustle.
Beyond retail operations, the brothers are deeply committed to the industry’s potential for social good. Inspired by their family’s personal health battles, they co-founded the give-back brand Little Matron, which directs a portion of proceeds to research seeking solutions for cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
When they aren’t steering MMD’s strategic growth, advocating for sensible policy, or mentoring the next generation of industry talent, the Ashbel brothers often can be found on the golf course pursuing a lifelong passion that reflects Mishka’s appreciation for precision, patience, and the long game and Slava’s fascination with the focus and strategy of the links.
Fred Barnum
Since 2017, Chief Executive Officer Fred Barnum has led Green Capital Investments LLC (parent company of Phinest Cannabis). What he calls a “science-driven” integrated cannabis platform spans multiple indoor and sun-grown cultivation facilities, distribution and showroom operations, transportation and logistics, and advanced propagation infrastructure. The operation also incorporates a meristem tissue culture lab, nursery operations, breeding and seed production programs, and a dedicated research-and-development (R&D) facility.
Lauren Carpenter
As co-founder and CEO of Embarc and Embarc Events, Lauren Carpenter splits her focus between dispensary strategy and one of the industry’s few concessionaires. Embarc Events coordinates a growing slate of onsite sales and consumption for some of California’s most well-known experiential festivals and events, including Outside Lands, Cali Roots, and the California State Fair.
Just as significant is Carpenter’s continuing role in policy development for regulated industries.
For 15 years, she has worked to advance thoughtful policies in industries ranging from food and beverage to education and energy at the local, state, and federal levels.
Angela Cheng
Born in Hong Kong, raised in Vancouver, and now based in Los Angeles, Sunderstorm Chief Marketing Officer Angela Cheng has spent her career at the intersection of art, business, and culture. Over the past 20 years, she has created and managed campaigns for some of the biggest names in spirits, including Diageo, Bacardi, and Moët Hennessy. Now, as she leads marketing efforts for Sunderstorm’s flagship brand, Kanha, Cheng believes design is the most underrated growth tool in consumer packaged goods (CPG). She predicts cannabis brands that win over the next decade won’t win on THC percentage. They’ll win on occasions, trust, and cultural relevance.
She was the first cannabis marketer named to The PR Net’s “MarComms Most Influential.” She has been recognized by High Times as an Asian American and Pacific Islander leader in and by the Clio Awards as both juror and recipient. She is a featured subject matter expert for the Cannabis Retail & Sales Specialist Certificate and a frequent keynote speaker on marketing in regulated categories. A certified yoga instructor, she brings a wellness-first lens to everything she builds.
Cameron Clarke
A student of science and engineering at Stanford, Sunderstorm CEO Cameron Clarke became interested in the consumer cannabis space after firsthand experiences with indigenous healing cultures in West Africa, South Asia, and the Amazon rainforest. Inspired to meld scientific rigor and ancient healing, he co-founded Sunderstorm in 2015. Today, the company’s flagship brand, Kanha, produces vapes and award-winning edibles for markets including California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Illinois, Thailand, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Prior to founding Sunderstorm, Clarke helped launch the modern electronic courtroom, introduced augmented reality to pilots, and played an early role in web-based video streaming. He first ventured into plant-based wellness with Amazon-Mania USA, one of the original importers of Brazilian açaí products. Clarke also founded several social projects, including the Blue Nomad Foundation, the Wet Lab in San Diego, and Berkeley Biolabs.
Whitney Conroy
With more than 15 years’ leadership experience across high-growth industries, Phylos Chief Commercial Officer Whitney Conroy oversees all revenue-generating activities, including the company’s F1 hybrid seeds and rare cannabinoid genetics.
Before joining Phylos, she served as vice president of strategy at Curaleaf, where she spearheaded business planning for operations across 21 states and led initiatives in corporate social equity and new market entry. She also served in significant roles at Fashion Nova, Archer Venture Capital, and Fox, giving her a unique perspective on blending institutional business rigor with the fast-paced demands of the modern consumer market.
Conroy is a frequent speaker at industry events, where she shares insight on overcoming systemic challenges and empowering women in the cannabis space. She is particularly passionate about the intersection of science and wellness.
Conroy holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration from Boston College, complemented by international studies at Sciences Po.
Charlie Copelan
Charlie Copelan is a veteran commercial real estate strategist and capital markets expert with more than 30 years’ experience navigating high-stakes investments across the United States and Mexico. As the President of CBIS Capital, Copelan specializes in asset development, industrial brokerage, and capital advisory, with a particular focus on the emerging complexities of the California and Baja California markets. He has been instrumental in facilitating high-profile dispensary and cultivation deals in Southern California.
Copelan’s deep-rooted community ties and legislative advocacy work, including collaborations with city councils on redevelopment and regulatory initiatives, help him provide clients with an uncommon perspective during negotiations.
Copelan defines his guiding principle as “commitment to bridging the gap between institutional business rigor and the unique demands of emerging industries like legal cannabis and cross-border commercial trade.” An alumnus of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate, Copelan also holds a Master of Corporate Real Estate and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member.
Rocco Del Priore
Since the inception of retail platform Sweed, co-founder Rocco Del Priore has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth, co-leading Sweed’s strategic direction and overseeing the implementation of its solutions across all clients.
Previously, Del Priore co-founded Cultivate, a platform focused on customer retention in the cannabis industry, and gained valuable experience delivering cannabis to consumers at DYME. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, snowboarding, and listening to music.
Patrik Eriksson
Born in Norway and raised in Sweden, Patrik Eriksson transitioned from elite athletics to the global cannabis industry. A two-time world champion kickboxer and Swedish Muay Thai champion, he carried the discipline of professional sports to Los Angeles to pursue a career in fashion before finding a home in cannabis.
In 2014, Eriksson partnered with Toby Skard to launch Futurola USA. Under their leadership, the company expanded beyond its Amsterdam roots to become a global force in pre-roll technology. Eriksson played a central role in developing the Knockbox system series, which standardized large-scale pre-roll production.
He regularly attends international trade shows as an evangelist promoting product integrity and long-term thinking over short-term visibility. He believes his trajectory reflects a broader industry truth: Sustainable growth is driven by operators who understand consumer needs, commit to quality, and build with consistency over time.
Lauren Fontein
Lauren Fontein is chief compliance officer at The Artist Tree, a chain of 12 California locations often described as “an art gallery with a dispensary attached.” Fontein transitioned into the industry from corporate law in 2009. Since then, she has launched several cannabis businesses.
At The Artist Tree, which she co-founded in 2018, Fontein oversees compliance, licensing, and legal matters. She heads the company’s expansion team, preparing license applications and working with local cities and counties to successfully obtain cannabis retail licenses. As a fervent advocate for normalization of cannabis use, she oversees the chain’s community benefits and art programs, creating meaningful philanthropic campaigns and using art to drive positive change and foster deeper community connections.
Fontein graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dartmouth College and obtained her law degree from UCLA School of Law.
James Gates
With experience spanning manufacturing and financial services, Puffco Executive Vice President for Finance James Gates possesses deep expertise in process optimization, change management, and financial infrastructure development. Grounded in Six Sigma and Total Quality Management principles, Gates builds scalable systems, strengthens internal controls, and leads with a balance of analytical rigor and interpersonal acumen.
At Puffco, he established a monthly financial review process with the CEO, developed the company’s first annual budget, led audit-ready inventory controls, launched an R&D tax credit initiative, and identified $44,000 in monthly cost savings.
During previous employment with ACT Holdings Inc., Gates played a key role in raising more than $270 million in capital, led system transformations in enterprise resource management and human resources, built a procurement function that delivered $3.5 million in first-year savings, and oversaw acquisition integrations and shared services. He also has built accounting departments from the ground up, improved cash flow and reporting accuracy, reduced receivables and error rates, and implemented operational processes that enhance efficiency and compliance.
Andrew Hagstrom
A South Orange County, California, native, Andrew Hagstrom joined Weedmaps in 2017 and has spent the past decade with the company through various growth phases, including going public on the NASDAQ. Initially focused on revenue, he partnered with key brands to scale their marketing presence before launching and operationalizing the company’s wholesale platform. In 2023, he transitioned into a senior leadership role as vice president of partnerships, events, and culture, where he aligns sales and marketing efforts to drive brand adoption and awareness.
With a background in competitive motorsports, Hagstrom previously directed motorsports partnerships for IMG before pivoting into consulting for Caesars Entertainment, where he focused on World Series of Poker partnerships. He also managed expansion for a TapouT licensee during Ultimate Fighting Championship’s global growth. Immediately prior to his tenure at Weedmaps, he founded Del Mar Advertising, a full-service Tier 3 automotive agency, which he exited in 2017.
Jeni Hill
Cannaivaz Market Development Director Jeni Hill is a creative, energetic commercial leader with more than 15 years of experience across retail, wholesale, and operations, including seven years in the cannabis industry. Previously, she held leadership roles with GUESS Inc., Tesla, and Cookies, where she built expertise in brand growth, expansion, and customer experience. Today, she drives multimillion-dollar partnerships in the smoking filtration industry.
Marty Higgins
Operating at the intersection of cannabis, artificial intelligence, and marketing, Urbana founder and CEO Marty Higgins helped shape one of California’s well-known dispensary and lounge brands. Ten years after joining the industry, he now works with operators and brands to drive growth through smarter systems, sharper positioning, and AI-powered marketing.
He credits his success to a relentless focus on customer experience and brand. At his core, Higgins believes great businesses are built through contribution and community — a philosophy rooted in City of Dreams, the nonprofit he founded in 2004. He said his greatest contribution is “being a dad to two awesome kids.”
Angela Hochberger
For more than 21 years, Angela Hochberger has delivered risk-management strategy and insurance solutions for complex commercial clients. As a licensed property and casualty insurance broker, she has served the cannabis industry exclusively for the past decade. Now, as IMA Financial Group’s vice president and cannabis team leader, she leads a national insurance practice supporting licensed operators across the entire cannabis supply chain, from cultivators and manufacturers to distributors, retailers, and ancillary businesses.
Hochberger’s approach is deeply relationship‑driven and consultative, helping clients navigate regulatory complexity, protect capital, and scale responsibly within one of the most highly scrutinized and rapidly evolving industries in the country. Her commitment to elevating professional standards, mentorship, and bridging technical insurance expertise with practical business strategy has been recognized by groups including the National Association of Insurance Women (Insurance Professional of the Year, 2017). In 2026 she was named an Elite Service Performer by IMA, an employee-owned company with offices in 25 states.
Laurie Holcomb
As founder and former CEO of Gold Flora, Laurie Holcomb orchestrated one of the state’s most ambitious vertical integration strategies, overseeing a 28-acre cultivation campus, a retail network, and a 2023 merger with The Parent Company. After a decade spent building Gold Flora into a $100-million-revenue enterprise, she now serves as CEO of Gramlin, which she founded in 2024.
With more than 25 years of experience in high-stakes commercial real estate and finance, including two decades as executive vice president at MasterCraft Homes, Holcomb brings sophisticated asset management to the cannabis sector. She frequently shares insight on operational efficiency and market evolution at leading industry conferences.
She is an alumna of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Jo Jacobson
A cannabis industry veteran, Jo Jacobson brought a depth of experience to the table when she co-founded Rove in 2016, subsequently leading the company’s expansion into 16 markets. She now serves as vice president of business development.
Recognized in 2025 as one of Inc.’s Top 500 Female Founders, Jacobson believes her knowledge of local landscapes and ability to quickly forge connections with retailers, customers, and industry stakeholders are keys to Rove’s success. She is a devoted advocate for inclusivity in cannabis, mentoring women and supporting working parents as the industry continues to grow.
Howard Lee
Howard Lee has led the SōRSE Technology team as CEO since 2016, guiding the company’s evolution into a global specialist in water-soluble emulsion technology. Under his leadership, the company has tripled in size and expanded into international markets through strategic licensing agreements with The Valens Company and FCM Global as well as a research partnership with Pascal Biosciences.
With more than two decades of leadership experience spanning both high-growth startups and Fortune 50 enterprises, Lee brings a dual perspective to his work. As a founder and CEO, he has built multiple companies from inception, raising capital across seed, Series A, B, C, and growth equity rounds. In the enterprise arena, he has served as senior vice president and general manager of a major division within a Fortune 50 company, overseeing thousands of employees and generating hundreds of millions in revenue. He also led a NASDAQ-traded company as CEO.
Lee has driven growth throughout his career, including scaling one company by more than 3,700 percent in three years, earning recognition from Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S.
Kim McNab
With more than 15 years of experience in the CPG world, including stints with Curaleaf and Red Bull, Kim McNab entered the cannabis space in 2019 and immediately found what she calls her calling. Now vice president of trade marketing at Canopy USA, she leads national trade marketing strategy, builds partnerships, develops sales enablement tools, and drives go‑to‑market programming for brands including The Botanist, Jetty Extracts, Superflux, and Wana.
McNab takes pride in blending strategic vision with relationship‑building. Her passion for the plant, the people, and the potential of the industry fuels her daily work every day, and she credits the industry friendships and connections she’s made as some of her greatest career rewards.
Toby Skard
After a successful career as a rock musician, most notably playing bass guitar for ’90s cross-genre hitmaker Poe, Toby Skard segued into Los Angeles’s fashion scene as an executive with a celebrity label and then co-founder of his own brand, California Christiania Republic.
In 2014, Skard partnered with Patrik Eriksson to launch Futurola USA. Under their leadership, the then 30-year-old company expanded beyond its Amsterdam roots to become a global force in pre-roll technology. Together, Skard and Eriksson developed the Knockbox series of pre-roll machines, which standardized large-scale pre-roll production. The systems are used by some of the largest pre-roll manufacturers in the cannabis industry.
Born in Oslo, Norway, Skard still travels the world to promote Futurola’s products and has been instrumental in cementing partnerships with celebrities including Snoop Dogg and Mike Tyson. His motto is “be kind, be honest, and work hard.”
Skyler Sutton
As co-founder and chief strategy officer at family-owned and -operated Mammoth Distribution, Skyler Sutton has been instrumental in the company’s evolution from a niche distribution house into a platform representing brands including Heavy Hitters, Papa & Barkley, 710 Labs, and Almora to more than 600 retail partners. With an executive focus on market expansion and strategic partnerships, he was a key architect behind the 2021 merger with Spacestation. He takes pride in an ability to bridge the gap between brand soul and modern institutional scale.
Sutton has overseen the launch and scaling of multiple SKUs, employing experience that spans the supply chain from high-tech manufacturing and distribution logistics to the creative storytelling required to maintain a brand’s cult following.
A native of Southern California with a deep-seated passion for the plant’s culture, when he isn’t steering Mammoth’s long-term strategy, he is an active advocate for the industry’s continued professionalization and its potential to set new standards for global commerce.
Shahar Yamay
Shahar Yamay is CEO of Hefestus Group, a family-owned business with decades of global experience in packaging technology. Originally from Binyamina in northern Israel and now based in Tel Aviv, he nurtures a deeply rooted connection to the company where he grew up immersed in the production environment.
With a foundation in innovation and hands-on engineering culture, Yamay drives advanced automation solutions across the food and cannabis industries. His work focuses on helping manufacturers streamline operations, reduce labor dependency, and achieve consistent output through scalable systems. He specializes in identifying emerging market opportunities and building go-to-market strategies and plays a central role in aligning sales, product development, and customer experience.
Beyond work, Yamay values an active lifestyle, strong relationships,meaningful conversations, and curiosity.
Barry Walker
Entrepreneur Barry Walker is the operational force behind Dub Brothers and Tradecraft Farms, both of which he co-founded with his brother and serves as CEO. With a career spanning more than two decades in luxury spas and yoga studios, real estate, and large-scale cultivation, he has mastered the art of transitioning heritage cannabis culture into a multistate enterprise that bridges the gap between artisanal quality and industrial scale.
Walker’s commitment to the community is as deep as his commitment to the plant. For more than 20 years, he has spearheaded Gobble Gobble Give and Skid Row Xmas, grassroots initiatives that provide food, clothing, and essential supplies to the homeless across more than 25 cities nationwide. He views business as a platform for social impact, consistently advocating for veteran access to cannabis and community-centric commerce.
