IWC 2023 Annual Spring Conference “Empowering Women in the Illinois Cannabis Industry: Advancing Gender Equity Now”

We are pleased to announce Toi Hutchinson will deliver the keynote at IWC’s Spring Conference: Empowering Women in the Illinois Cannabis Industry: Advancing Gender Equity Now.

As President and CEO of Marijuana Policy Project, Toi Hutchinson is one of the most influential voices in cannabis policy in the country, and we’re proud she calls Illinois home. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from Toi and other thought leaders at this full-day conference.

The one-day in-person conference will include industry leaders and experts presenting on the evolving opportunities in the regulated cannabis industry in 2023 and beyond. We are looking for speakers to explore the latest equity and advocacy work in the industry, as well as new trends and upcoming opportunities in all facets of the industry.

Please note: All sessions and speakers are subject to change.
Thank you to our conference sponsors! 

Agenda:

9 AM – 12 PM Check-in and registration

Main Stage:

10:00 AM Welcome Remarks: Amor Montes de Oca, Executive Director, IWC

Keynote: Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO, Marijuana Policy Project

10:30 – 11:10 AM Ready, Set, Legal? Developments in Federal Cannabis Reform
Moderator: Amy Rubenstein, Partner, Dentons

• Joanne Caceres, Partner, Dentons
• Kathleen May, Founder and CEO, Triskele Quality Solutions
• Tiffany Chappel Ingram, Principal, Renge Resolutions, LLC

11:15 – 11:55 Cannabis Badging Report: An Overview of National Employment Barriers

• Shawnee Williams, SHRM-CP, Founder, Illinois Equity Staffing
• Mykel Selph, Founder & CEO, Social Impact Solutions

12 – 12:30 Expungement 2.O: Advancing Policies at the Community Level
Moderator: Peter Contos, Deputy Director, Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition

• Ginger Leigh Odom Director, Expungement Unit at Office of the State Appellate Defender
• Matthew R. Smith, Policy Advisor, Cabrini Green Legal Aid

1 PM Get Candid with the Women Driving the Deals
Moderator: Lisa Evia, Managing Partner, SeedFund Capital

• Kerry Jordan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Supercritical, LLC
• Lori Crosley, Chief Investment Officer, Village, LLC

Introduction by Yadi Alarcon, Senior Brand Ambassador, 1906

1:45 – 2:30 PM Fire it Up! Get Your Career Started In The Cannabis Industry
Moderator: Kurt Kaufmann, Chief Executive Officer, Seed Talent

• Sophia Julio, Senior Corporate Recruiter, Trulieve 
• Britteny Soto, CTRM, Director of Talent and Acquisition and HR, Grasshopper Club Chicago & BFS
• Lori DeCarlo, Regional Director Midwest, NOBO Inc
• Kim Patrasso, Corporate Recruiter, Ascend Wellness Holdings

2:30 – 3:15 PM Breaking Barriers, Building Empires: Female Founders in the Cannabis Industry Share their Stories
Moderator: Laurie Parfitt, CEO & Principal, LKP Impact Consulting

• Mahja Sulamanjee, CEO, High Haven Cannabis 
• Mila K. Marshall, Ph.D
• Kate Miller, Co-Founder, & CEO, Miss Grass
• Ali Jubelirer, JD, SPHR, CCEP, CEO, Dynamic Jack Cannabis Co. 

3:15 – 3:45 PM Mentorship: Empowering Women in Cannabis Through Connection

• Neffer-Oduntunde A. Kerr, ED, NorthStar Minority Cannabis Association and PD & Education Committee Chair, IWC
• Kelly Judge Goldberg, M.Ed. PD & Education Committee Co-Chair, IWC

Breakout Sessions

Classroom A

1 – 1:45 PM  Beyond the License: Impacting the Industry Through Ancillary Businesses
Moderator, Julie Saltzman, Director of Cannabis Business Development Berlin Packaging
Panelists:

• Akshita Singh, Associate Attorney Dickinson Wright
• Amy Dordek Dolinsky, Director of Business Development, Lucas James Talent Partners
• Rachel Boykins, Marketing Consultant
• Jennifer Clark, Fractional COO, Operations and Strategy consultant, LaunchSpot Consulting

2 – 3 PM I’m Just A Bill Whose Intentions Are Good: How Illinois Cannabis Law Is Made

• S.L. Owens, Esq. Chief Cannabis Officer, CannaTrep 
• Tricia Teague, MBA Chief Executive Officer, CannaTrep 

Classroom B

1 – 1:45 PM Planting Seeds to Harvest:  A Strategic Approach to Building Acquisition, Design, and Construction
Moderator: Donna Bracey, Owner, Bud Weed and Flower

• Chris Atkinson, Project Executive
• Kim Dzadon, Project Manager, Wright Heerema Architects

2 – 2:45 PM The Cannabis Consumer and the Ultimate Wellness Super Plant
Moderator: Elizabeth Cohen, Principal, EMC Strategy LLC

• Bethany Gomez, Managing Director, Brightfield Group, LLC
• Mike Luce, Co-Founder, High Yield Insights

3 – 3:45 PM The Cannabis Industry in Chicago Report
Speaker: Robin Ficke, VP of Research, World Business Chicago

Introductions by:

• Asya Hill, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Curaleaf
• Claire Warne, Manager, Equity Programs & Community Partnerships, Ascend Wellness 
• Angelique Zerillo, Writer, Researcher, Principal Consultant, Sinter Group
• Taylor Lindsey, Brand Manager, Miss Grass
• Yadi Alarcon, Senior Brand Ambassador, 1906
• Amanda Gettes, Co-Founder, awarex.io
• Noemi Romero, Partner, Director of Operations, CannaTech Ventures

Click here to register

For sponsorship information please contact communications@ilwomenincannabis.org

Illinois Women in Cannabis is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization committed to serving, supporting, and advancing the careers of women connected to the regulated cannabis industry. Through education and community building, we fulfill our mission to empower women of all ages and backgrounds to build strong relationships, networks, and careers in the cannabis industry.