Bulking Up: The Challenges of Scaling a Beverage Brand, July 10 @ 9:50  - 10:35 am

Fueling Growth – Funding Strategies for Hemp Beverage Brands, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Bio Coming Soon

Cracking the Compliance Code, July 10 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Andrea Golan is General Counsel and head of Government Affairs at Drink BRĒZ, where she leads the company’s national strategy to shape hemp and cannabinoid policy. She oversees all government affairs activity and serves as the primary point of contact on legislative and regulatory matters at both the state and federal levels. Andrea brings deep expertise in FDA, FTC, and CSA compliance, with a focus on national advertising strategy within the context of state and federal hemp and cannabis laws as well as regulatory obligations under the FDCA. She has extensive experience navigating the complex intersection of federal and state cannabis and hemp laws, developing regulatory strategies, risk assessments, and compliance programs for cannabinoid products across diverse sales channels and markets.

Cracking the Compliance Code, July 10 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Andrew Lee is the Chief Legal Officer of Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Company, the master licensing entity for the Cheech & Chong brand, including its cannabis brands. Prior to Cheech and Chong's, Andrew held positions as General Counsel in the multi-state adult-use and medical cannabis industry; Associate General Counsel at Newegg Inc., a leading global tech-focused e-retailer; and Corporate Counsel at STEC, Inc., a leading developer and provider of solid-state data storage technology.

DTC & Online Marketplaces: Meeting the Consumer Where They're At, July 11 @ 9:50  - 10:35 am

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Wherehouse Beverage Co., Angus Rittenburg is focused on creating a new category of adult beverages through innovation in brand, formulation, and manufacturing. He co-founded Wherehouse in 2021 to develop a unique beverage production technology that enables scalable, state-by-state production of cannabis beverages. The company’s flagship brand, Wynk, launched in the same year and quickly became the most widely distributed low-dose cannabis beverage in the US regulated markets. Before founding Wherehouse, Angus honed his expertise in the technology sector, working with industry leaders like Tesla, SpaceX, and Google. He holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Victoria. When he’s not focused on Wherehouse’s growth, Angus enjoys traveling to remote destinations with friends and family and flying planes.

Beyond the Can: Exploring Emerging Formats in Hemp Beverages, July 11 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Breanna Neff, a Cornell University alumna with a B.S. in Food Science & Technology, Business, Nutrition, and Health, is a visionary Certified Food Scientist and the driving force behind both brelixi and Brelixi Wellness Solutions (BWS). Her career includes impactful roles at industry leaders like Danone, Evian, and Daily Harvest, where she honed her skills in R&D, functional product development, commercialization, and FDA compliance.

Fueled by a passion for cannabis, homeopathic remedies, and functional ingredients, Breanna has birthed brelixi (featured in VICE, Esquire, Essence). This innovative venture offers meticulously crafted, ready-to-mix drink blends and functional supplement powders that reimagine how we engage with cannabis. Brelixi not only reflects Breanna's academic prowess and industry experience but also showcases her aim to destigmatize cannabis culture and elevate the user experience.

Building on brelixi's success, Breanna then established Brelixi Wellness Solutions (BWS), an R&D and private-label consultancy arm. BWS leverages her deep food science knowledge to provide cutting-edge product development services to a wider range of partners in the hospitality and wellness sectors. This expansion allows her to extend her innovative capabilities and empower other brands in the rapidly evolving functional wellness market.

Relying on her robust industry network, scientific expertise, and profound drive for product innovation, Breanna is setting new standards in both the cannabis-infused consumables and broader functional wellness industries.

Building the Category Together, July 10 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Winning with Distributors — What They Really Want, July 10 @ 10:40 - 11:25 am

Christopher Lackner is the founder & president of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, the trade association representing the hemp beverage industry. With more than 275 members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, HBA is creating a safe and thriving industry through education, advocacy, best practices and partnership. 

Marketing that Moves the Needle, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

With a background consulting on innovation and insights projects with big-beverage, and a penchant for old-fashioneds but not hangovers, Lewie dove head first into the non-alc space with Flyers Cocktail Co, building the future of drinking with award winning sparkling, non-alcoholic cocktails, to help New Yorkers and the world imbibe, and live their life without compromise (hangovers). Lewie is a TedX speaker, Guinness World Record holder, Freediving Instructor, wingsuit pilot and proud father of a rambunctious Australian Shepherd. Lewie has worked on fast-pace projects with global and local teams at Budweiser, Bud Light, Red Bull, NFL, NHL, Heineken, Anheuser-Busch, PepsiCo and helps start-ups scale through VC Incubator introductions, brand strategy and marketing. Lewie managed a world-first and USA's biggest beverage activation; live-syncing of 80,000 Bud Light Touch-Down Glasses to scoring moments at SuperBowl LII, working with NFL, Anheuser-Busch and Buzz Connect. Lewie believes in a future where consumers have more choice during traditional alcohol occasions, across alcoholic, low-alc, non-alc, and cannabis beverages.

Beyond the Vineyard: Expanding Your Portfolio with Hemp, July 11 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Bio Coming Soon

Beyond the Can: Exploring Emerging Formats in Hemp Beverages, July 11 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Darnell Smith is a CPG and alcohol industry veteran and cannabis entrepreneur, innovator and advocate. Smith is the founder and CEO of MXXN, a non-alcoholic, hemp-infused spirits brand that is evolving today’s cocktail culture and disrupting the alcohol and hemp industry. MXXN is the first product launch of MOJO Ventures, which is part of the digital + creative consultancy MOJO also founded by Smith, which has done extensive work for Procter & Gamble Ventures, Bacardi’s incubation group, Pepsico, and more. Prior to founding MXXN and MOJO, Smith was a senior digital transformation lead at Infosys Consulting working with the likes of Adidas, Ralph Lauren, AB InBev, Novartis, GSK, Pfizer, AMEX, and more. Prior to that, Smith worked for over a decade in various agency and client roles focused on innovation and commercialization for the likes of Diageo and Pernod Ricard.

As a Black entrepreneur working in the cannabis industry, Smith is extremely passionate about being on the front lines of creating a more equitable space. He is committed to working with a diverse set of vendors and supply partners within his companies and always looks to partner with organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Smith earned his Marketing degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he played football as a defensive end under legendary coach Lou Holtz.

Building the Category Together, July 10 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Dawson Hobbs is the Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), and oversees the association’s state, federal and regulatory government affairs team. He joined the association in 2006 as Vice President, State Affairs.

Dawson’s experience and track record of performance in federal and state advocacy over the years has made him a trusted and valued asset to WSWA’s members and executives alike. His deep industry knowledge, zealous advocacy, extensive relationships with governors, attorneys general, alcohol regulators and industry officials, nationwide, makes him a standard-bearer. Having testified before legislative and regulatory bodies in dozens of states, Dawson has been an active participant in numerous state legislative battles taking place over two decades, making him uniquely qualified. He currently uses this experience to promote WSWA’s positions in support of the three-tier system and effective state regulation of beverage alcohol. Prior to joining WSWA, Dawson spent seven years working for the National Rifle Association.

A native of Texas and graduate of Texas A&M University, Dawson resides in Alexandria, VA. He is an avid sportsman, an advocate for conservation, and promotes responsible wildlife management practices.

The Money Maze – Banking, Payments & Investment in Hemp Beverages, Jully 11 @ 9:50 - 10:35 am

Bulking Up: The Challenges of Scaling a Beverage Brand, July 10 @ 9:50  - 10:35 am

Dylan Lowery holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Towson University and has had a lifetime career in startups. First working in the on-demand delivery space for the company Order Up before its $69M+ exit to Groupon in 2016. Lowery went on to work at several subsequent startups, including a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator, Temescal Wellness, before co-founding Cantrip in 2020. As Cantrip's Chief Operating Officer Lowery oversees the businesses day to day operations and execution. Lowery has a passion for the cannabis plant and is an advocate for consumer education, wellness, and fitness.

DTC & Online Marketplaces: Meeting the Consumer Where They're At, July 11 @ 9:50 - 10:35 am

Eric is a media sales professional & leader specializing in interactive, programmatic, mobile, and ad tech with 25 years of CPG & retail experience. Having worked in both start-up environments and some of the most recognizable media and digital companies in the world, Eric founded Good Harvest Co. in 2018 to transition his expertise and help innovate the way cannabis brands reach their desired consumers, and the way non-endemic brands reach cannabis consumers. 

In early 2020, Good Harvest Co. was acquired by Surfside, an end-to-end marketing technology that aggregates 1st party data across all customer touchpoints, allowing advertisers the ability to better understand, target and measure how to influence current and future customers. 

Eric currently serves as Surfside’s Chief Innovation Officer, looking after all new business initiatives & monetization opportunities across the company.

Bulking Up: The Challenges of Scaling a Beverage Brand, July 10 @ 9:50  - 10:35 am

Jake is the co-founder & CEO of Cann, the cannabis-infused social beverage company based in California, which develops a range of micro-dosed beverages with simple, all- natural ingredients that provide an alternative to alcohol. Prior to Cann, Jake was an associate at Bain Capital’s North American Private Equity fund evaluating potential investment opportunities across a variety of industries with a specific focus in the consumer space. He also worked at Bain & Company in San Francisco, focused on strategy and due diligence projects across technology, healthcare, private equity, and hedge funds. Prior to that, he worked as an investment banking analyst at Allen & Company in New York providing M&A advisory services to companies in a variety of industries. Jake graduated sum cum laude from Duke University with a B.S. in Economics and Political Science and received his M.B.A. from Stanford University. Jake is passionate about the potential for cannabis products to replace abuse of alcohol and Rx drugs and has made a number of cannabis venture investments.

Fueling Growth – Funding Strategies for Hemp Beverage Brands, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Jeff Cantalupo is an entrepreneur, investor and brand builder. In 2010, he founded Listen, a consumer obsessed venture capital firm to back and build the brands of tomorrow.

Across four funds, Listen has invested in 20 early stage brands including consumer-tech breakouts Calm, Raise and Own Up while also backing consumer product successes such as Angel's Envy (acquired by Bacardi), Factor_ (acquired by HelloFresh) and Kiwi Co.

Jeff currently serves on the Board of Directors of Listen Portfolio companies,The Fresh Factory, Miss Grass, Black Buffalo, Fable, Go Brewing and previously held director positions at Raise, Interior Define and Factor.

Prior to founding Listen, Jeff worked as Vice President, Account Director at Leo Burnett, where he honed his craft managing iconic brands such as Marlboro and Pop-Tarts. It was at Leo where Jeff developed his passion for innovation as he routinely participated on agency/client innovation teams charged with identifying opportunities, developing new products and launching new brands in the market. Having spent part of his career abroad, he is also an expert at maintaining global brand consistency and relevancy across multiple cultures.

In addition to his professional career, Jeff is active in the community serving as a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and as a Board Member for Ronald McDonald House Charities Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

Marketing that Moves the Needle, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Jen is a marketing leader with 20+ years of experience executing double-digit growth for organizations in highly regulated industries and tech.  

Before serving as VP of Strategy for Hybrid Marketing Co – a business-outcomes-focused cannabis marketing agency – she founded and led her own agency for clients in conservation, outdoor recreation, health, and wellness. 

Jen's passion lies in helping the cannabis industry grow to be a global game-changer. To this end, she strategizes and advocates for Hybrid’s clients and partners so that they can surpass  the goals they set out to achieve. She doesn’t step lightly; she charges but with a collaborative spirit, intention, intelligence, humility, compassion, and grit. 

She’s also an ultramarathoner, connector, limit-pusher, hype-woman, and play-first-homework-later mom.

Grab & Go: Finding Cooler Space in Convenience Stores and Gas Stations, July 10 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

In 2000, the year of clunky Nokia phones and $1.50 gas, a guileless 18-year-old Jigar “JP” Patel left the comforts of his home in India to make a name for himself in America. Even at that young age, it was clear to those around him that JP had that certain spark that drew people to him. 

He soon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Sciences from the University of South Alabama. While in school, he worked a number of odd jobs until he discovered he had a knack for innovative ideas that increased volume and profits for his bosses in their respective stores. He joined the family business of convenience stores and worked from the ground up. With his combined business acumen and tendency to devote himself to his work, he wasn’t cleaning restrooms and manning the register for long! 

Fast-forward to 2015, JP is now the co-founder and VP of SAASOA (Strategic Alliance of Affiliated Store Owners of America), the largest such association in the entire Southeast. Since inception, SAASOA has successfully represented approximately 4500 stores owners. JP continues to be instrumental in increasing bottom line profits, partnering with other organizations to increase merchandise and volume and expanding SAASOA’s reach across the Southeast.

JP is also a recognized public speaker and specializes in leadership training and coaching and has successfully served a range of clients including corporate professionals, small business owners, and non-profit and for-profit organizations.

His drive to increase representation among minorities in the convenience store industry led to his association with NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores). 

At NACS, JP is a member of Board of Directors and chairs the Political Engagement Committee and partakes in Legislative Committee. 

His passion is not limited to the business world. He mentors under represented teenagers and young adults in choosing the path best suited for them. He is a recognized advocate of service and mental health initiatives through The Art of Living. He is a unifying member of the community, bringing together people from all religions, ethnicities, ages and genders to participate in personal health workshops. 

As seen through his business drive and his giving nature, JP is truly one of the rare individuals who is sincerely passionate about helping and bringing people together from all walks of life.

Cracking the Compliance Code, July 10 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Joanne, a member of the Dentons cannabis sector group, has deep experience in the cannabis, hemp, and emerging psychedelics industries, and is one of the nation’s most experienced cannabis law lawyers. Joanne has particular skill in helping clients to navigate business objectives within these complex and rapidly evolving regulatory environments. 

Joanne has helped clients attain cannabis licenses in several states, as well as a federal license to bulk manufacture cannabis. Joanne has also advised on several states’ cannabis regulations, and participated in drafting proposed legislation for descheduling or rescheduling cannabis. This vantage point has uniquely positioned her to evaluate the national regulatory environment for cannabis, hemp and psychedelics, with an eye towards future regulatory developments.

Joanne also has particular experience counselling public companies that provide services to operators in these industries, including risk mitigation and due diligence strategies to ensure such companies comply with state and, where desired, federal law. Joanne has also been integral in the public listing of several ancillary cannabis companies onto U.S. national stock exchanges. 

Joanne is a strategic advisor whose work spans corporate, regulatory, and litigation work. Current clients include single and multi-state operators, hemp product manufacturers, large publicly traded companies selling products or services into the cannabis industry, life science companies researching psychedelics, real estate investments trusts, and other companies involved in financing these industries.

Through her pro bono work, Joanne has helped social equity applicants with transactional work, has helped to file cannabis expungement paperwork for previously incarcerated individuals, and has advocated for federal pardons for simple possession.

Joanne is a leader in Dentons Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts. She serves as the designated Health Care Practice Group Diversity Partner and is the co-chair of Dentons Hispanic/Latinx Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA).

Fueling Growth – Funding Strategies for Hemp Beverage Brands, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

John has been professionally managing institutional and family office capital for over 20 years and has invested across all asset classes, investment strategies and geographies. His focus has been on finding niche strategies, sectors, and smaller companies with clear thematic tailwinds. John and the SOJE Capital team began research on the cannabis space in early 2018 and since then, the overwhelming majority of John’s focus at SOJE has been on developing a curated portfolio of the best public and private companies in the US cannabis landscape. His investing experience prior to SOJE Fund includes co-founding/managing Brightleaf Partners LP (2002-2008), a concentrated long/short consumer sector micro-cap equity fund anchored by a major university endowment and with peak assets of $95 million. His professional investment career was preceded by experiences as President of a multi-channel catalog/retailer and an investment banker to the lower middle market. John received an MBA from UCLA, BA from Yale University, and is a CFA Charterholder.

Winning with Distributors—What They Really Want, July 10 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Justin Crouch is the Vice President of Business Development at Southern Crown Partners, where he leverages over a decade of experience in brand building, sales strategy, and go-to-market execution to drive growth across the company’s portfolio. Known for his ability to scale startups into regional and national brands, Justin brings a proven track record of strategic leadership within the craft beverage industry.

He began his career as one of the first employees at Wicked Weed Brewing, where he played a key role in expanding the brand’s presence throughout the Southeast and ultimately served as Chief Operating Officer. After Wicked Weed’s acquisition by Anheuser-Busch, Justin went on to lead Appalachian Mountain Brewery as General Manager, further deepening his expertise in operations, supplier relations, and brand development.

At Southern Crown Partners, Justin’s deep industry insight and strong supplier relationships are instrumental in identifying new opportunities and accelerating long-term business growth.

From Gray to Green: The Evolving Legal Landscape of Hemp Beverages, July 10 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Bio Coming Soon

Grab & Go: Finding Cooler Space in Convenience Stores and Gas Stations, July 10 @ 9:50 - 10:35 am

Bio coming soon.

DTC & Online Marketplaces: Meeting the Consumer Where They're At, July 11 @ 9:50  - 10:35 am

Kim Gamez is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience leading B2C-focused enterprises, investing, managing mergers and acquisitions, and launching startups. She has a proven track record of rapidly gaining market share in untapped industries. Her innovative work has earned her national recognition, including features in Forbes, The Today Show, and the moniker “Tech Start-Up Darling.”

Following the acquisition of her last startup, Mi Padrino, Kim joined the MSU Foundation as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Spartan Innovations, where she supports emerging ventures and shares her insights with the next generation of founders.

In January 2023, she combined her tech background and passion for hemp-derived beverages to launch Sober(ish)—a dynamic marketplace that connects content and community with brands and products designed to deliver a buzz.

Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Kim has experienced the full spectrum of challenges and triumphs that come with launching new products and technologies. Grounded in grit and driven by an undeniable passion, she continues to embrace the magic and hustle of building something from the ground up.

Fueling Growth – Funding Strategies for Hemp Beverage Brands, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Kim Rael is CEO & Cofounder of Azuca, serving the global cannabis industry with best-in-class advanced formulations for fast-acting, great-tasting, and predictable edible cannabis. Kim is an active community leader, currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico.  She is a start-up veteran and long-time investor in innovation. She has extensive experience as an operating executive in both startup and Fortune 50 environments and as a venture capitalist. As an investor and board member she has worked closely with entrepreneurs advancing innovations in culinary technology, digital & physical infrastructure, energy and water.

Before her career in venture, she co-founded an advanced energy company and held numerous management positions at Intel, where she managed a $200 million capital budget, led planning for a $1 Billion expansion, and held roles in finance, operations and strategic planning. Prior to Intel, she served as an aide in the US Senate focusing on foreign affairs and science and technology policy.

Rael has broad experience on both corporate and community boards. Her corporate board experience spans multiple industries, including: water technology, semiconductors, software-as-a-service, digital media, banking and advanced materials companies. Rael’s community board service includes: New Mexico State Board of Finance; Presbyterian Hospital, the Albuquerque Public Schools Foundation, International Women’s Forum-NM and the Arts Alliance. Rael was the Founding President for an acclaimed Montessori Charter School. She has been featured as a New Mexico Business Weekly Power Broker and Top 10 Women of Influence. Rael is a member of the prestigious international Society of Kauffman Fellows and a Rotary Scholar.  Rael has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford.

From Gray to Green: The Evolving Legal Landscape of Hemp Beverages, July 10 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Lila has worked at the Department of Consumer Protection, which houses Connecticut’s cannabis programs, for over a decade, from the start of the State’s medical marijuana program, through the launch of the adult-use cannabis market. Currently serving as the Division Director for the newly formed cannabis division within Consumer Protection, Lila oversees Connecticut’s adult-use cannabis and medical marijuana programs directing policy, enforcement and licensing processes. Prior to that Lila served as a Legal Program Director for the Drug Control Division providing counsel in both medical and adult-use cannabis contexts and was an integral part of policy discussions and legislative initiatives. Lila also serves as a co-chair on the Packaging, Labeling and Advertising Committee for the Cannabis Regulators Association. Lila earned her B.A. and her J.D. from the University of Connecticut.

Grab & Go: Finding Cooler Space in Convenience Stores and Gas Stations, July 10 @ 9:50 - 10:35 am

As the Director of Operations at 36 Lyn Refuel Station, I lead a dynamic team and drive the strategic growth of our business. Our dedication to innovation has earned us three Inc. 5000 honors and a place in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal Fast-50. Since 2005, I’ve focused on building a brand that not only meets our community’s needs but also stands out in a competitive retail landscape.

Winning with Distributors—What They Really Want, July 10 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Megan Poepping-Widor is the Hemp-Derived Sales & Brand Manager at Bernick’s, a family-owned beverage and vending distribution company that has served Minnesota and Wisconsin since 1916. Megan has been with Bernick’s for over nine years, holding a variety of roles across the organization including sales, category management, key accounts, and sales training. In her current role, she leads the company’s growing Hemp-Derived department.

Before joining Bernick’s, Megan worked as a restaurant manager in both Nashville, Tennessee, and Boca Raton, Florida. She holds a degree in Restaurant Management with an emphasis in Tourism from the University of Wisconsin–Stout.

Megan resides in St. Joseph, Minnesota, just outside of St. Cloud, with her husband and their young daughter, Eloise. In her free time, she enjoys teaching Cycle and TRX classes and coaching high school dance.

Grab & Go: Finding Cooler Space in Convenience Stores and Gas Stations, July 10 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Melissa has spent the past 15 years as a leading voice in emerging product categories within mainstream retail, including the early days of the vaping industry and the evolving cannabis space. She began her journey in 2012 as CSP’s Senior Tobacco Editor and now serves as the Director of Marketing and Industry Relations at iSEE Store Innovations. In her current role, she has been instrumental in shaping iSEE’s beverage merchandising solutions and services for new and emerging brands—especially those in the THC category.

Melissa continues to build her authority in cutting-edge retail trends as a freelance journalist and speaker, contributing to CSP, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), and other major industry platforms. Her contributions include numerous cannabis-focused stories, curating events and educational sessions, and speaking at key industry events including CSP’s CBD and the Future of Cannabis Forum, the NACS Future of Cannabis in Retail pop-up and representing the convenience industry at CannaDataCon.

Melissa currently serves on the NACS Convention Content Committee and the NACS Foundation Advisory Committee, and she recently accepted the role of Chair for CSP’s newly formed C-Store Cannabis Board.

From Gray to Green: The Evolving Legal Landscape of Hemp Beverages, July 10 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Michelle Bodian is General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Affairs for Nowadays and outside General Counsel to the Hemp Beverage Alliance. She previously was a partner at Vicente LLP and counsel at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. She tracks and assesses federal and state laws related to hemp product regulation.

DTC & Online Marketplaces: Meeting the Consumer Where They're At, July 11 @ 9:50  - 10:35 am

Myka Cygielman is the Vice President of e-Commerce of Wana Brands, one of North America’s leading cannabis edibles companies. A seasoned marketing leader with a reputation for sharp strategy and scaling consumer-first businesses at the intersection of wellness and e-commerce, her career has spanned both high-growth startups and established powerhouses—including leadership roles at Therabody and cbdMD.

At Wana Brands, Myka is the guiding force behind ShopWanderous.com, a curated online destination for hemp-derived THC beverages and edibles. Wanderous represents the next evolution for cannabis brands, creating a legal, national, and digitally native pathway for consumers to explore THC products with transparency, ease, and confidence. By bridging the gap between compliance, convenience, and brand integrity, Wanderous is paving the way for cannabis to enter the mainstream wellness market—one sip (or gummy) at a time.

Myka lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and daughter. And yes, she’s always up for karaoke at a good dive bar—thanks for asking.

From Gray to Green: The Evolving Legal Landscape of Hemp Beverages, July 10 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Bio Coming Soon

The Money Maze – Banking, Payments & Investment in Hemp Beverages, Jully 11 @ 9:50 - 10:35 am

Bio coming soon.

The Money Maze – Banking, Payments & Investment in Hemp Beverages, Jully 11 @ 9:50 - 10:35 am

Ross Sloan is SVP & Cannabis Banking Officer for Dart Bank. He is a graduate of Davidson College, with a B.A. in History.  Ross’ 39-year banking career has included roles in retail banking, business banking, commercial banking and middle market banking. In his current role, he works with others at Dart Bank to serve cannabis and hemp related businesses throughout the U.S. 

Ross and his wife, Martha, live in the Asheville, NC area with their brown dog, Scout. They have two adult children, a daughter who lives in Pittsburgh and a son who lives in the Asheville area. Ross is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and he is passionate about Rotary International, for which he will serve as a district governor in 2027-2028.

Winning with Distributors—What They Really Want,  July 10, 10:40 - 11:25 am

Bio Coming Soon

Building the Category Together, July 10 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Sam DeWitt is the State Government Affairs Director for the Brewers Association, the 501(c)(6) national trade organization representing craft brewers, their beers, and the millions of independent beer enthusiasts across the country. Sam routinely works on issues ranging from franchise reform to self-distribution to direct-to-consumer shipping and has built and worked with coalitions to defend the industry in multiple states from excise tax increases. When he’s not on the road, Sam lives in East Denver with his wife and three children.

Beyond the Can: Exploring Emerging Formats in Hemp Beverages, July 11 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Bio coming soon.

Cracking the Compliance Code, July 10 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Scott is a proud graduate of the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business and College of Law. After several years in Big Law in Minnesota, he worked as General Counsel at Big Grove Brewery, Iowa's highest producing brewery, and later co-founded Lua Brewing in Des Moines, which is ranked as one of the fifty best breweries in the world and recently was named USA Today's Best Brewpub in America.

Scott is also CEO of HYFR Hospitality, a hospitality group that oversees restaurant and property management in the midwest. In 2023, Scott and his team founded Climbing Kites, a cannabis beverage company. Climbing Kites is available on retail shelves in over twenty states and continues to be one of the fastest growing cannabis companies. Scott is on the board of directors for the Hemp Beverage Alliance and was President of the Iowa Brewers Guild from 2018-2024.
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Building the Category Together, July 9 @ 4:00  - 5:00 pm

Bio Coming Soon

Bulking Up: The Challenges of Scaling a Beverage Brand, July 10 @ 9:50  - 10:35 am

Bio Coming Soon

Marketing that Moves the Needle, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Bio Coming Soon

Marketing that Moves the Needle, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Bio Coming Soon

Beyond the Can: Exploring Emerging Formats in Hemp Beverages, July 11 @ 10:40  - 11:25 am

Bio Coming Soon