by Grow Up Conference | Aug 1, 2018
John A. MacKay earned a B.A. in Chemistry from St. Lawrence University (SLU), and Ph.D. from the University of Vermont (UVM), in Inorganic Chemistry focused on the synthesis of cancer-fighting compounds. After positions teaching at Davidson College, Lyndon State College and University of Vermont (UVM), John joined Waters Corporation in 1983 and retired in 2017. His career has included many roles in innovative product development and marketing. John is widely recognized as scientific expert extraction with an emphasis on the sub and supercritical fluid for extraction and chromatography in the botanical space; he is bringing the synergy from what were disparate technologies together to optimize workflow.
Synergistic Technologies Associates, LLC works with botanical companies to help maximize their total operations based on Six Sigma principles and practices.
With the expertise and desire to spread the science throughout the industry, John has taken on roles as contributing journalist and science editor for Terpenes and Testing Magazine and was the editor of the early issues of Extraction Magazine and now is contributing journalist and scientific advisor. He has also been appointed the Educator Assistant Professor on the Volunteer Pathway,
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 1, 2018
Wendy Hulton has over 25 years of experience solving product related regulatory challenges for her clients. Wendy has been providing cannabis related advice since the late 1990’s when the Industrial Hemp Regulations were introduced in Canada. As the Canadian leader of Dickinson Wright’s cross-border cannabis practice group, http://www.dickinson-wright.com/practice-areas/cannabis, Wendy is uniquely qualified to assist participants in the cannabis industry. At Dickinson Wright, we recognize that doing business in the cannabis industry involves more than the regulatory issues surrounding the product itself. Wendy and her colleagues provide specialized corporate, financing, real estate, investing, employment, lobbying and intellectual property advice.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 1, 2018
Myrna Gillis is the CEO and co-founder of Aqualitas, a vertically integrated multi-cannabis license holder, having the distinction of being the world’s first organic cannabis company with EU-GMP and DEL licenses. Myrna’s dedication extends beyond her role in the cannabis industry. With 25 years of legal practice in the vulnerable services sector, she has championed disability rights and advocacy. In 2014, she transitioned her career to the cannabis sector, driven by her passion to expand access to medical cannabis through research, innovation, and sustainability.
Under her leadership, Aqualitas has achieved notable accomplishments, including numerous awards in cultivation, branding, innovation, clean technology, and inclusivity. Most recently, receiving the LP Brand of the Year for the Reef Organic brand, and the Best Flower of the Year for Queen Sangria, a multiple Cannabis Cup winner. Myrna has earned the prestigious Kings Counsel designation for her commitment to excellence and integrity the practice of law. Additionally, she received the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Bronze Business Leader Award in 2019.
Myrna actively contributes to the cannabis industry and community as the founding Chair of the Scotia Cannabis Alliance, a past board member of the Cannabis Council of Canada, and a board advisor for the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation. She also served as Board Trustee for Dalhousie Legal Aid, and an Advisory Board member of the Wallace MacCain Institute. Her dedication to social justice and disabilities is further reflected in her three-decade history of volunteering with various vulnerable sector-based organizations.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 1, 2018
Through his expertise in organic synthesis, biochemistry, assay development, proteomics, and analytical chemistry, Dr. Jonathan Vaught, Founder and CEO of Front Range Biosciences, brings widely used agriculture and biotech methods to cannabis cultivation through tissue culture cloning. Prior to founding Front Range Biosciences, Dr. Vaught served as the Director of Assay Development for Velocity Sciences, and Senior Scientist for Beacon Biotechnology and SomaLogic.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 1, 2018
A partner in a start-up dotcom in the late nineties, Watson went on to spend nearly a decade involved with the Canadian government in senior political roles. He recently co-founded GQA (Grower’s Quality Assurance) to establish the new gold standard for the world’s highest quality cannabis. He splits his time between Toronto Canada and London UK.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 1, 2018
Geoff Brown is the Director of Agronomic IQ, the most advanced temperature and humidity control equipment in the grow room industry. As one of North America’s leading authorities on HVAC for grow rooms, Geoff participates in various advisory boards in the cannabis industry and is a contributing member to The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) X653 guideline “Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) for Indoor Plant Environments without Sunlight”, a joint venture project with the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Geoff is a frequent keynote speaker across North America helping to educate growers and engineers about successful HVAC design, specification, selection and installation for indoor farming and grow rooms.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 1, 2018
Andy’s thought leadership journey started when he published his first business book in 2007 and first magazines in 2009. Since that time, he has leveraged custom magazines and online digital content strategies to establish himself as a leading authority in content marketing and brand positioning. He is a regular contributor to PROFITguide.com.
Through his company, Carle Publishing Inc., Andy and his team make these strategies and tools accessible to their Client-Partners. They make creating a magazine and publishing online Easy, Effective and Economical. Andy’s 2nd book, How to Win Clients & Influence People, already an International Bestseller on Amazon, is now available.
by Grow Up Conference | Jul 25, 2018
Ms. Bighash is the Dean of Pharmaceutical & Scientific Affairs and President of AAPS – a registered career college by Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development offering applied education and hands-on training for the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, Food, Cannabis and allied industry. Currently AAPS is the only college with an approved and registered Cannabis program by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development of Ontario.
Ms. Bighash has a B.Pharm degree as well as the Bachelor degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from University of Toronto, Canada. She also obtained her Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Schulich School of Business in Toronto, specializing in Finance and Strategy.
Ms. Bighash is a co-founder and past Editor-in-chief of Canada’s only Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Trade magazine and a past member of board of directors of Ontario Association of Career Colleges. She has lectured extensively and has been an invited speaker at many academic and industry events. She has extensively consulted and mentored both the employers as well as employees on best hiring and career strategies.
She has over 20 years of experience working for number of multinational pharmaceutical companies such as Genpharm Inc., Bayer Corp. and Eli Lilly & Company and number of Food and Cannabis organizations in various capacities such as Research and Development, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Regulatory and Compliance, Financial Planning, and Business development.
In her current role as the Dean of Scientific Affairs and President of AAPS, she manages the educational and training direction of the college. Her activities include management of industry and government relations, overseeing of student, faculty, and staff activities and development of education policies and course contents of the AAPS programs. She works closely with pharma, food, and cannabis companies helping graduates and students get a better understanding of the job market and vast career opportunities with the industry.
by Grow Up Conference | Jul 25, 2018
Jamie Shaw began her cannabis career as a Director of the BC Compassion Club Society, and served as President of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, where she successfully lobbied for, and consulted on, municipal regulations in Vancouver, Victoria, and others prior to legalization. As a consultant she helped many stores navigate the licensing process. She was an expert witness in the Allard trial that won Canadian patients the right to grow for themselves. Shaw helped launch the medical sales platform Shelter Market, served as Chief Communications Officer for Pasha Brands, founding partner of Groundwork Consulting, a co-author of the Lift Retail Cannabis Training Course, and taught a similar course at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She is an expert witness in the challenge to Manitoba’s ban of personal growing, Chief Strategic Officer for Charlie’s Cannabis Co. and sits on various boards and advisories including the BC Independent Cannabis Association.
by Grow Up Conference | Jul 25, 2018
Derek has been involved in the development of automated solutions for over 20 years with a focus on logistics and supply chain solutions with Dematic for 16 of those years. Typical solutions include process improvements, best practice logistics methods, performance optimizing software, and material handling automation. He has collaborated with end-users, 3PL companies, and consultants to find optimal solutions for various types of facilities. To develop a solution, Derek and his team use a data driven agnostic approach with an operations focus that includes current state analysis, operations planning, and strategic/tactical planning. As Director of Sales, Derek supports Dematic in providing engineered logistics solutions for operations across Canada.
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