by Grow Up Conference | Jun 25, 2019
Dr. Newmaster is a botany professor specializing in plant diversity, medicinal plants and DNA identification systems. He has more than 100 publications including numerous scientific journal articles, floristic treatments and books. He has supervised over 220 HQP including visiting scientists from around the globe and he lectures to over 2000 university students every year. His research program has generated over $7 million dollars in research, funded by NSERC, SSHRC, CIDA, Genome Canada, OMAFRA, CFI, OCE, CIDA-IDRC, MEDI, NRC and more. His research lab is situated within the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG) at the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario. Currently he is conducting leading international research on biodiversity, genomic diversity and the development of molecular diagnostic tools for plant identification. His R&D has impacted Canadian policy on biodiversity, and international trade of herbal products including product authentication and certification standards within the food and natural product industry within Canada, USA, E.U. and Asia.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
In Michael Foy’s 26 years in the logistics industry, he has helped clients large and small in consulting on operational solutions that help retailers and manufacturers to optimize their supply chains. His areas of expertise include recalls, improving efficiency, reducing the cost of returns and improving data visibility business intelligence tools.
Michael’s areas of expertise include all retail and manufacturer reverse logistics for the cannabis industry (both recreational and pharma), with specialties in recalls, reverse logistics efficiency, reducing the cost of returns and improving data visibility through business intelligence tools.
He currently serves as the director of business development for Inmar, with deep experience in solving challenges in the unique supply chain needs of CPG retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers as well as in healthcare and pharmacy.
Prior to Inmar, Michael held a number of technical and sales management roles with Airborne Express and DHL. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Decision Sciences from University of Illinois.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
Danyka Dunseith, CEO and Founder of CannaCollective Inc. is a first generation hemp farmer located in Stratford, Ontario. After uprooting her, career, life and home in Toronto, ON, Dunseith converted her family farm into a working industrial hemp farm.
Dunseith, eager to educate herself on soil single-handedly seeded and cultivated 50 acres of industrial hemp in 2018, yielding over 93,000 kgs of biomass used for Ontario agriculture statistics and best practices. Since then, CannaCollective Inc. has traveled the world conducting research and development on the sustainability of hemp in local and developing countries, gaining further knowledge of the global impact industrial hemp is poised to make in coming years; showcasing how local farms can make a global impact.
Combining her background in Public Relations & Communications, Dunseith shifted her focus to the plethora of benefits the hemp plant had to offer; aligning with agriculture- Dunseith is focused on highlighting and communicating the benefits of hemp growth, cultivation and distribution. CannaCollective Inc. will continue to educate local farmers in South Western Ontario and globally.
Dunseith will be expanding to 73 acres this season, with significant plans to expand by 2021 in the Greater Toronto Area. As CannaCollective Inc. is on the precipice of an environmental-conscious “green-rush”, Dunseith will remain at the forefront continuing research surrounding the benefits of hemp including; CBD, bio-degradable plastic, superfoods and a renewable energy source.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
Andrea Paine is National Director of Government Relations at Aurora Cannabis. She is the lead director for federal and provincial government relations, community relations with municipalities and local non-profit associations, and is leading collaborative GR efforts in Europe. Before joining Aurora, Andrea had a long professional career in politics and government. She worked for over twenty-five years with cabinet Ministers in Quebec provincial departments of Food and Fisheries, Transport and Education, and Federal Ministers of Human Resources and Social Development, Heritage, Health, as well as with the Government House Leader.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
Ellen Taylor Brown is the Director of Cultivation & Education for CannaCollective a hemp farming in South/Western Ontario, Canada. After coming on board in 2018, Brown has since overseen nearly 40 hectares of industrial hemp and continues to analyze soil, genetics and growth into the 2019 season. Upon finishing service in 2010 for the United States Air Force, Brown began her cannabis career in Northern California, where she acquired the position of management and lead cultivator at a local dispensary in a rapidly growing market.
After being exposed to and thriving in the booming cannabis market, Brown recognized a gap in the patient/medicinal market in her home state of Massachusetts. In 2015 she founded Sinsemilla Seminars and that allowed Brown to bridge that gap through education and community outreach. Since then Sinsemilla Seminars has held seminars, lectures and education program throughout the U.S. and featured in local news, entertainment and large-scale media outlets such as; High Times Magazine, Sinse Magazine Boston, Marijuana Business Venture, Bostinno, WCVB, Cape & Plymouth Business Magazine, and many more. Recently Ellen recieved New England Business Leader of the Year from the New England Cannabis Conference Community awards.
Brown specializes in sustainable cultivation of hemp and cannabis; best practices, dispensary service and direction, and how to create a myriad product. Ellen’s extensive knowledge and first-hand industry experience has made her a fiercely sought-after consultant. She has spoken at over 60 conferences and is recognized as a cannabis thought leader and activist. As a prominent advocate, Ellen has spoken all over the world including The Boston Freedom Rally, Seattle Hempfest and The High Times Jamaica Cannabis Cup and will be expanding to the Canadian industry and landscape.
Her unprecedented set of skills provide a pathway to success for her students and clients. She continues to share her years of wisdom and experience to help create a much-needed paradigm shift to the impact of the war on drugs. She believes that if we teach each other about the benefits of the cannabis and hemp plants, that we will be able to secure the plant’s safety for future generations and create sustainable, streamlined options. In an industry that is evolving, growing and thriving more than ever, Brown leads by example and practice, empowering teachers and advocates, such as herself, to be their own platform and continue to educate, create and motivate.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
Richard Butler B.Sc. (Hons.), MSc., LL.B., is a Partner at Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP. Richard practices advocacy before all levels of court and tribunals, including civil litigation, administrative appeals and defence of environmental prosecutions.
Richard provides advice and support to clients on all aspects of environmental law including regulatory compliance and approvals, contaminated land investigations and remediation and spills response, wastewater discharges and waste management.
Richard is leading the firm’s cannabis practice, including regulation at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. The firm has experience in cannabis waste, waste water and greenhouse regulation, agricultural practices and exemptions. Richard’s experience also includes Environmental Risk Assessments for food producers, farming properties and greenhouses.
Richard’s degrees in Earth Sciences and experience with mining projects in Ontario, B.C., and North of 600 complement his work in assisting clients to secure mining rights and approvals, develop mining infrastructure, and manage mine waste and waste water issues.
Richard frequently works with clients in the municipal, construction, food processing, land development, mining and exploration, and insurance sectors. Richard is called to the Bar in Ontario.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
Dr. Lucas McCann is the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at CannDelta. He provides scientific oversight and business strategy on all projects. Lucas has extensive experience helping clients to set up new businesses in the emerging cannabis industry by helping them with business strategy, planning and navigating regulatory frameworks including license applications. He has helped launch over 300 cannabis businesses in the U.S. and Canada as well as in the food, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical industries. Now CannDelta has grown to include offices in New Jersey, New York, and Toronto to better serve their clients.
An expert in regulations, Lucas has experience in all aspects of these industries, including cannabis-specific expertise in commercial cultivation, manufacturing, analytical testing and cannabis retail. Lucas acquired his regulatory experience and knowledge while working as a Specialist for the Regulatory and Operations Enforcement Branch (Health Products) at Health Canada, the federal regulator for cannabis and controlled substances in Canada. He is a dynamic public speaker and regularly engages with local and international media on topics relevant to the cannabis industry. Lucas has published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and a university textbook.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
She has a MSc in Food Science from Dalhousie University Halifax. With more than a decade of experience in food science and technology, she is currently the QA manager/ QAP for Aqualitas. Priyanka has compliance experience in cannabis industry as a QA Manager under the former ACMPR and expertise in Quality control/ Assurance in cannabis, food processing and agriculture environments. Developing, implementing and managing procedure and protocols to ensure the company’s practices and products are of the highest quality and is team lead for our EU GMP certification.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
While the name “Katy Perry” may be synonymous with music and popular culture to some, to Canada’s cannabis scene, there is only one Katy Perry, and she is the owner and operator of TOKE Cannabis as well as a long-time player in the Canadian cannabis space. Katy brings a depth of knowledge to the legal market. She has been a part of the cannabis legalization movement in Canada for over 10 years and is passionate about changing the image of cannabis and cannabis consumers. From cannabis cultivation to distribution Katy has been teaching both consumers and cultivators how to grow, sell and use cannabis for almost a decade. At TOKE, Katy navigates consumers through the sometimes confusing world of cannabis consumption.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 21, 2019
Daniel is the Marketing Manager for Agronomic IQ, the most advanced temperature, humidity and grow room HVAC equipment in the world. He has been with the company since January 2019 and is leveraging his marketing experience from the automotive sector. Daniel graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in Political Science, and gained marketing expertise through the Advertising and Marketing Communications program at Georgian College.
