Christian Blyth holds a degree in biology with a specialization in Microbiology and Ecology from the University of Waterloo. Christian has been a valued member to the 3M Canada Food Safety team since 2006. During this time, Christian has been the Food Safety Technical and Regulatory Specialist responsible for managing all technical information, training, regulatory and quality aspects to 3M Food Safety’s business. Christian has mostly recently been representing 3M as the Pathogen Specialist for Canada. Christian also sits as an industry representative and the vice chair of the Canadian branch of ISO/TC 34/SC 9. In his extensive work within the industry and with the government, Christian has become established as a local industry expert presenting at numerous conferences and contributed to many documents of written literature.
Rosanna DiLabio, M.Sc., P.Eng., EP(CEA) is a Senior Client Manager at Pinchin and is known for helping clients navigate environmental regulations and acting as a trusted environmental advisor. She has degrees in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. She is a seasoned Professional Engineer and Certified Environmental Auditor with expertise in environmental compliance and provides guidance to clients on environmental matters for air, waste, wastewater and odour issues. She also works with the legal community to provide engineering opinions on environmental matters.
Ted is an international agri-business executive with 30 years of visionary leadership. He currently represents the Canadian hemp industry in the domestic and international markets. He previously managed the establishment of an international Italian Meats production and processing business. Ted represented international livestock and meat sustainability priorities at the United Nations. He created an international beef export company, based on Canadian brand strengths. Ted managed Canada’s national beef export organization in a diverse cultural environment for 20 years. He is dedicated to open and participatory democratic institutions, and takes a candid and forthright approach in dealing with all levels of industry and government to resolve issues. Ted is a straight-talking and passionate leader.
With the ultimate goal of efficient, safe, and environmentally conscientious cultivation, Erin Lapsansky capitalizes on an understanding of beneficial microbial communities, evidence-based practices, and innovative products for quality cannabis production. As Director of Production and Head Cultivator at Cascadia Gardens, a Washington State producer/processor, and an active cannabis consultant throughout North America, Erin individualizes processes for cost effective and high quality products. Erin also provides support to home growers so that they can mindfully produce their own cannabis for personal use, both medical and recreational.
Prior to joining the cannabis industry, Erin conducted research in the Center for Rhizosphere Biology at Colorado State University studying the use of microbial communities for plant growth promotion, integrated pest management, and optimized nutrient acquisition through root system architecture modification. During this time she also developed the concept of soil memory, a phenomenon which explains how a plant could promote the success of their reproduction and offspring through tightly associated relationships with the soil microbial communities which persist over time. At Gonzaga University, Erin received her degree in Research Biology and worked to develop methods which promote natural plant defenses including predator recruitment utilizing terpenes. This foundation knowledge continues to server as a tool in her passion for safe and natural cannabis production. Erin also taught Introductory Horticulture and redesigned course material to better meet the dynamic needs of students by engaging them in mindful, goal-oriented study and promote a love for plants in future generations.
Michelle completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Alberta. An experience that included study abroad experiences in the United Kingdom and Brazil, and an internship focused on canola research at the Alberta Research council. Michelle then went to McGill University and completed her Master of Science degree in Human Genetics before moving to the US to work on lung disease at the University of Vermont. Upon her return home to Edmonton, Michelle soon began working for a start-up company embedded in the University of Alberta called Delta Genomics. She started working in the laboratory and was primarily responsible for the whole genome sequencing of over 300 beef bulls that heavily contributed their genetics to the animals breeding today. When Delta Genomics spun out of the University of Alberta to become a private laboratory in 2014, Michelle was promoted to Director of Operations and was responsible for overseeing all laboratory processes and to ensure that everything was running smoothly, on time and on budget. During this time, Michelle completed her Masters of Business Administration part-time and in 2016 was asked to step into the role of CEO by the Delta Genomics board. She held this position for two and half years during which Michelle doubled the annual growth rate of samples processed and saw the company accomplish a number of financial records. These successes garnered the attention of Neogen Corporation, and on January 1, 2019 Delta Genomics sold its genetic testing business and assets to Neogen Canada, highlighting the commitment and investment in Canadian genomics by Neogen.
Farrell A. Miller is a recognized cannabis and hemp expert across Canada and has been involved in the industry since 2014. As Director of Legal at dicentra, Farrell assists a team of regulatory professionals in understanding the complex landscape of Cannabis Law in Canada. She holds a law degree from University of British Columbia and undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph. Prior to law school, she worked in research ethics and support at the University Health Network in Toronto, Research Ethics and Support Services, administering contracts for clinical trials. When it comes to understanding the restrictive advertising of controlled substances, Farrell has managed in-field marketing campaigns for various alcohol and tobacco brands under Rothman’s Benson & Hedges, Budweiser and more. Currently, Farrell assists the compliance team at dicentra, providing legal expertise and navigation through Health Canada’s guidelines for all product categories in the life sciences including food products, cannabis, cosmetics, NHPs, CHPs and more. Farrell also runs a licensed Industrial Hemp farm north of Toronto where she is working on producing high-CBD hemp for the cannabis industry.
erry Donnelly is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience. Immediately prior to joining Hill Street, he served as Chief Marketing Officer, Canada for MDC Partners (NASDAQ:MDCA), the largest Canadian marketing services company with $1.3Bn in revenues and over 17,000 employees. Prior to MDC, Terry served as the co-founder, CMO, and Chairman of Adcentricity and Bee Media, and as the Executive Vice-President, Digital at Mandrake.
Terry also has significant governance and leadership experience, having previously served as a director of Brainhunter Inc. (TSX:BH), Atlantis Systems Corp. (TSX:AIQ), Active Control Technologies (TSX-V:ACT), SilverBirch Inc. (TSX-V:SVB), China Opportunity Inc. (TSX-V:COC.P), and a director and advisor to numerous privately held companies, mainly in the early stage technology sector. He has raised nearly $100MM in venture capital and executed over two dozen acquisitions during his career.
Terry is the co-founder of the Cannabis Beverage Producers Alliance, a national organization representing the unique interests of beverage producers for the purposes of lobbying and public education.
Hill Street Beverage Company is the world’s most award-winning company exclusively focused on alcohol-free beer, wine, and adult format beverages. Hill Street’s great-tasting products include Hill Street Craft Brewed Lager, Designated Draft alcohol-free beer, Vin(Zero) wines, and Vintense wines, and have won numerous medals and accolades including three Gold, two Silver, and two Bronze Medals at the U.S. Open Beer Championships, the Retail Council of Canada’s Grand Prix award, and a prestigious Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Challenge. Hill Street will also produce and sell cannabis-infused adult beverages beginning in Spring 2020. Check out Hill Street’s award-winning line-up and order product to be delivered straight to your home at www.hillstreetbeverages.com.
Adam is a veteran executive of the cannabis space and is one of the early industry adopters, helping propel Westleaf forward by leading and executing its retail roll-out in Western Canada. As one of the first to join the company, Adam spearheaded the creation and launch of Westleaf’s unique retail brand, Prairie Records. He has led the brand development of Westleaf’s proprietary suite of products which includes Loon – a health and wellness line, in addition to, Backstage and General Admission, two premium recreational lines. With a strong passion for creativity and an ability to be agile in an ever-changing industry, Adam has played a pivotal role in helping carve out a strong position for Prairie Records in the Canadian cannabis market.
He brings a wealth of experience in regulated consumer-packaged good sales and marketing initiatives. Prior to Westleaf, Adam was Vice President of Specialty Sales at Labatt Breweries of Canada, where he was responsible for over $70 million in revenue and overall volume and revenue growth in eight major urban centres across Canada. Prior to that, Adam served as Senior Manager of Finance at Labatt, where he led the business integration, including brand expansion and budgeting plans, for the acquisitions of Mill Street Brewery and Mark Anthony Brands. Adam holds an Honors Degree in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Adam is a passionate advocate for creating a memorable and distinct consumer experience and is a highly sought-after speaker in the growing cannabis retail sector.
Founder and President of Validationtech Inc., International Medical Cannabis Association and NACPT Pharma College.
Rathi Param is the president/founder of the International Medical Cannabis Association (IMCA), North American College of Pharmaceutical Technology (NACPT) and Validation Tech Inc. Rathi earned her B.Sc. in Chemistry from University Ottawa and Post Graduate Pharmaceutical QA & QC Certification from SRN Institute. She is in the process of earning her MBA in Technology from the University of Phoenix
She is an innovative and creative leader with more than fifteen years of hands-on experience in many scientific industries (medical cannabis, medical devices, environmental, food, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical), complemented with fifteen years of corporate training experience. She possesses extensive expertise and knowledge of Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Formulation, Validation, Technology Transfer, Manufacturing Technology, Process Improvements, Auditing, and Inspection. Currently, Rathi is also taking the role of Quality Assurance Person (QAP) for Green Amber Canada (Pending Cannabis Producer). In addition, Rathi has been assisting medical cannabis companies in regards to setting quality management systems and validation programs.
In the past 15+ years, Rathi has held strategic management roles in major Canadian name brand/generic pharmaceutical companies. Validation Scientist at Patheon Inc., Validation Services Manager at Sanofi Pasteur Limited, Toronto., Validation Specialist at CibaVision, Mississauga., Validation Quality Engineer (Consultant) at iPOC, Toronto, QA Director at CMAX Technologies, Validation Director at Canabox Inc., and Quality Assurance Person in charge at Green Amber Canada, Vancouver to name a few.
She was a guest speaker and presenter in many universities’ panels, conferences and mentoring events. In the year 2017, she successfully conducted a NACPT Medical Cannabis Education Conference at the University of Toronto.
Her interest in helping graduates to commence their careers in the pharmaceutical and related industries was the motivation to launch both NACPT Pharma College and Validation Tech, to provide hands-on training and create a platform to direct the pathway to successful recruitment by the pharmaceutical and related companies.
Sonny Brar comes with over 16 years of Corporate Retail, Human Resources, Health, Safety, Energy and Environmental experience. He is currently the Vice President of Member Relations and Education at the Retail Council of Canada and is an honors graduate of Criminology, Justice and Public Safety from Manitoba. Along with other functions, Sonny leads and supports RCC’s Membership, Education, Benefit Partner Programs, Human Resources, Health, Safety, Accessibility, Energy initiatives and is the Chair for RCC’s Loss Prevention and Human Resources Advisory Councils. Sonny has also had great successes in his tenure and has been a recipient of 3 Presidential Excellence awards with Maple Leaf Foods and Toys“R”Us along with several successes and recognition with his tenure at Sobeys and Ikea.
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