BOULDER, Colo. – Wana Brands, a top international cannabis-infused edibles brand, has promoted Karla Rodriguez to the role of Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Social Responsibility. Rodriguez is based out of Wana’s Boulder headquarters and reports to Wana Brands CEO Nancy Whiteman.
As Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Social Responsibility, Rodriguez is responsible for all aspects of Wana Brands’ Human Resources and CSR departments. In her role, Rodriguez provides senior-level leadership for all HR operations and is responsible for setting, enforcing and evaluating human resources policies, procedures and best practices at the company. In addition, she creates and implements Wana’s CSR policies and goals, with an eye on increasing staff retention and engagement, expanding Wana’s sustainability practices, reducing Wana’s carbon footprint and creating strategic investment and non-profit partnering opportunities.
“Karla’s contribution to Wana is multi-faceted and significant. She arrived at a pivotal moment when Wana was ready to scale up its efforts to improve people’s lives, which aligns with its core mission. Karla leveraged this opportunity, significantly enhancing the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives,” Whiteman said. “Karla’s intuitive understanding of human dignity and respect is a driving force behind her approach, ensuring that the mission resonates within the company, among its customers, and in the broader global context. Her ability to translate values into practice has made her an exemplary figure, perfectly suited for her new role.”
Rodriguez joined Wana Brands in 2021 as the company’s first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Director, where she facilitated donations nationwide from Wana Brands and helped launch the Wana Brands Foundation, a separate entity from Wana Brands that CEO Nancy Whiteman endowed from the proceeds of Wana’s 2021 transaction with Canopy Growth Corporation. To date, the Wana Brands Foundation has committed gifts totaling $4 million to nonprofits focused on social justice, education, research, food security, sustainability, housing, mental health and social connection. Also in this role, Rodriguez expanded Wana’s employee engagement and benefits programs by launching a leadership development training program, a 401K program, a paid leave program, short-term and long-term disability, a paid volunteer program and an employee assistance fund.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Wana Brands and everyone here at the Company,” Rodriguez said. “The past few years have been an incredible adventure as we worked to fully realize Wana’s CSR vision, but there is so much more to be done. I am humbled and gratified by the chance to take on this new role and look forward to helping make Wana all that it can be for our employees, our customers and our partners and potential partners around the world.”
Rodriguez previously served as National Culture and Community Manager at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a national theater chain with 322 screens in 39 theaters. In this role, she led the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, including projects that distributed more than $1 million to company employees in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also managed the distribution of more than 300 grants totaling nearly $2 million.
Wana Brands: Enhance Your Life
With North America’s largest distribution footprint, cannabis edibles producer Wana Brands is a top international brand available in 16 U.S. states, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and nine Canadian provinces and territories, generating close to $300 million in retail sales annually across more than 3,000 dispensaries. Through industry-leading innovation, Wana is developing cutting-edge use-case formulations and recipes, such as Wana Quick Fast-Acting Gummies, the top-selling quick-onset edible, and the Optimals Fast Asleep formulation. Wana is committed to the communities it serves by supporting more than 50 charitable organizations in the markets where the company operates. For more information or to subscribe to Wana’s e-newsletter, visit www.wanabrands.com. Follow Wana on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
