PHOENIX, Ariz. – On the evening of Thursday, May 28, the historic El Chorro Lodge in Paradise Valley, Arizona, served as the backdrop for a gathering of impactful leaders from the Southwestern United States.
Hosted by Proven Media, in collaboration with RW Navis & Associates and CannaPac, the exclusive, invitation-only event officially recognized the Arizona and Southwest cohort of The Most Influential Executives of Cannabis (IEC).
The IEC is a national leadership awards series founded by Proven Media Chief Executive Officer Kim Prince and designed to recognize a select group of visionaries and power players whose leadership has advanced the professionalization, stability, and long-term trajectory of the cannabis industry. During the intimate evening reception, each honoree was presented with a trophy and an award certificate to commemorate their contributions to industry excellence, integrity, and stewardship.
The Southwest region continues to serve as a critical anchor for the national cannabis landscape as the market matures. The awards were specifically designed to cut through the noise and recognize those moving the regional industry forward through sophisticated, future-focused leadership.
The Arizona honorees were selected by a panel of business experts based on their measurable impact, operational excellence, and commitment to the maturation of the global cannabis trade.
The 2026 Arizona / Southwest IEC honorees
- Laura Bianchi, Bianchi & Brandt.
- Justin Brandt, Bianchi & Brandt.
- Demitri Downing, MITA.
- Adelia Fakhri, Event Hi.
- Barbara Garganta, Wana Brands.
- Sara Gullickson, Cannabis Business Advisors.
- John Haugh, Sunday Goods.
- Ryan Hermansky, Noble Herb.
- Lori Hicks, Arizona Natural Concepts Marijuana Dispensary.
- Susan Hwang, Best Dispensary.
- Ronnie Kassab, JARS Cannabis.
- Josh Kesselman, RAW.
- Ryan Legace, Dispensify.
- Andrew Meister, Bud’s Glass Joint.
- Raul Molina, Mint Cannabis.
- Lauren Niehaus, Trulieve.
- Bran Noonan, OGeez!
- Michael O’Brien, Sonoran Roots/Arizona Dispensaries Association.
- Sara Presler, JARS/Mohave Cannabis.
- Parisa Rad, Blunt Brunch/IMA Insurance.
- Caroline Riggs, Copperstate Farms.
- Thomas Rimbach, Baked Bros.
- Arvin Saloum, Greenpharms.
- Marie Saloum, Greenpharms.
- Kathy Senseman, Policy Development Group.
- Eivan Shahara, Mint Cannabis.
- Revan Shahara, Mint Cannabis.
- Steve Shapiro, Superior Dispensary.
- George Thimsen, Timeless.
- Ann Torrez, Arizona Dispensaries Association.
- Jason Vedadi, Story Cannabis.
- Vernell Varnado.
- Brian Warde, Prime Leaf.
- Sarah Warraich, Nirvana.
All regional honorees are entered into consideration for the national IEC awards to be distributed in Las Vegas in December. The 2026 IEC awards tour continues with its next stops in Chicago on June 13 and Las Vegas on December 1.
To nominate an executive for an upcoming region or to learn more about the program, visit Proven Media.
