Kevin is the Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Medicinal Genomics Corporation and has pioneered the genomics of cannabis and hemp to build a stronger scientific environment (Kannapedia.net) for the study of cannabis based therapeutics and blockchain technologies for tracking and verifying cannabis genetics.
Kevin has spent his career researching and developing various DNA sequencing technologies in both the research and clinical industries and has had a parallel interest in driving the tools used for personalized medicine into the world of cannabis medicine. Kevin believes the intersection of personalized medicine, genomics, blockchains and cannabis is one of the most exciting growth opportunities in our lifetime.
Medicinal Genomics made world-wide news in 2011 when it publically released the first genome sequence for Cannabis Sativa L. As a result of this work, Medicinal Genomics (MGC) launched a suite of qPCR tools for the detection of microbial contamination on Cannabis. In 2015, MGC was the largest provider of microbiological testing equipment in the cannabis space and has been selected to present on its genome sequencing, cannabis sex determination and microbiome work at ICRS 2014 and 2015.
Previously, Kevin was the CSO of Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc., and held the position of Vice President and Director of R&D of Life Technologies where he managed the development of Life Technologies next generation SOLiD sequencing technology. Integral to the SOLiD R&D process, Kevin oversaw over
100 research collaborations exploring the new biological frontiers with next generation sequencing and saw particular excitement and traction in human tumor sequencing. Kevin initiated an R&D project to investigate chemFET semiconductor based DNA sequencing and spearheaded a process to acquire the DNA sequencing company Ion Torrent for $350M. These collaborations resulted in hundreds of publications and 7 Journal covers from Science Translational Medicine to Nature.
Kevin was the President and CSO of Agencourt Personal Genomics, a startup company he co-founded in 2005 to invent revolutionary sequencing technologies that dropped the cost of sequencing a human genome from $300M to $3,000; a 100,000-fold improvement in sequencing speed and cost in a few years. Kevin oversaw the growth and research of APG until it was sold it to Applied BioSystems. In 2000, Kevin Co-Founded Agencourt Biosciences Corporation and acted as the CSO until 2005 where it was acquired by Beckman Coulter. From 1996 to 2000 Kevin managed the Research and Development for the Human Genome Project at Whitehead Institute/MIT resulting in several patents for nucleic acid purification.
Kevin holds a B.S. in Biology from Emory University with a focus on cloning and expressing Norepinephrine Transporters.
Heather Weber, CPA, CGA, is the leader of MNP’s Indirect Tax Group. Since 2001, Heather has specialized in assisting her clients with all their indirect taxation needs, including GST, PST, excise taxes, property taxes and more. Working closely with her team, Heather serves business owners, Aboriginals and Hutterites, as well as clients in the health care, winery, construction and public company sectors.
Heather’s in-depth understanding of indirect tax issues helps her
develop customized tax minimization strategies for her clients. She helps organizations capture the compliance information they need to claim all the benefits they are entitled to. Heather also has extensive experience in real property and cross-border transactions.
As a former auditor for the Canada Revenue Agency, Heather has extensive experience dealing with both the federal and provincial governments and she brings that insight to her clients’ dealings with government authorities at the audit and appeal stage.
Before earning her Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation in 1995, Heather received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University in 1991. She is also a member of both the Kelowna Tax Discussion Group and the Vancouver Commodity Tax Discussion Group.
Jay Rosenthal has a 20-year career at the intersection of media, business, politics, and policy — especially as it relates to heavily regulated industries. The Co-Founder and President of Business of Cannabis, Canada’s authoritative source for news and analysis of the cannabis industry, he provides context and insight into this dynamic and ever-changing Canadian sector. A sought-after media commentator on cannabis related issues, Jay has appeared in The Globe and Mail, and on CBC Radio, BNN and Breakfast Television. He is also a contributor to The Huffington Post.
With a background in government, Jay launched several successful consultancies and start-ups before launching Business of Cannabis. He began his career in the US Capitol, working for United States Senator Barbara Boxer. Moving to the Bay Area in the late 90s, he deepened his interest in the intersection of politics and technology, serving in the administration of the Mayor of San Jose, the 10th largest City in the US and the heart of Silicon Valley.
Jay also founded a strategic communications firm that worked with Fortune 500 companies, and launched and sold an online publication which focused on California politics. From 2013 to 2017, Jay directed special projects at Public Inc., a social impact marketing agency, where he led two separate Public Health Agency of Canada-funded projects focused on workplace health and wellness.
Teacher, writer, photographer, and author of 20 cookbooks including The Herbalist’s Kitchen, The Healing Herbs Cookbook, Preserving, and Coconut 24/7, Pat Crocker is a foodie and culinary herbalist.
With over 1.5 million books in print and over a dozen translated into eleven languages, Pat has been honored twice by the International Herb Association and she received the
2009 Gertrude H. Foster award from the Herb Society of America for Excellence in
Herbal Literature. Her books, The Juicing Bible and The Vegan Cook’s Bible attained
‘Best in the World’ awards from the International Gourmand Culinary Guild.
A professional Home Economist (BAA, BEd), specializing in herbs and healthy foods, Pat has been growing, photographing, teaching, and writing about herbs, herb gardens, food, and healthy diets for over four decades.
Former high school foods teacher; owner of Crocker International Communications Inc., a niche food public relations company operating in Toronto; and former host of River- song Herb Walk and Wild Gourmet Lunch programs, Pat knows about food and herbs from the ground up. Now a regular writer for food and garden magazines, Pat’s articles have appeared in national magazines and newspapers in Canada and the U.S.
Past president of both the Ontario Herbalists’ and the Ontario Home Economics Associa- tions, Pat actively participates in the Herb Society of America, the International Herb Association, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, Cuisine Canada, Garden Writers of America, and the Culinary Historians of Canada.
Michael Nashat has over 12 years of experience in patient care, quality assurance, medical and regulatory affairs and R&D. Prior to joining TerrAscend, Mr. Nashat was the Executive Director of OnPharm Independent Pharmacy Group, which represents over 300 pharmacies. A former board member of Ontario College of Pharmacists, Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Pharmacy Council.
Dineh Benally is the son of JoAnn C. and Donald Benally. He served as a Civil Engineer/ Project Manager for the federal government civil service qualifications responsible for the construction of schools, justice centers, fire stations, roads and Community Infrastructure design, implementation and support in Indian Country.
As President of the Navajo Nation Farm Board – San Juan River Farm Board, Dineh stands firm in repudiating any plan that seeks to terminate programs upon which his people depend. He is constantly collaborating with Council Delegates, Grazing Officials, and Chapter Officials to protect native water rights and improve the economy and livelihood of the Navajo People. With this mission in mind, if elected, Dineh intends to tackle several issues within Indian Country. The Navajo healthcare infrastructure, farming and jobs, medicine, housing and education are all topics that he wishes to address as President.
Dineh works with experts, both within the Nation and outside, to bring the necessary services and products for the Navajo people to benefit from. Dineh Benally loves Navajo Nation, and he is a Proud Son that is dedicated and committed to helping all his people.
A seasoned cannabis industry professional Omar comes to High Tide from one of the world’s leading global communications companies, where he served as National Cannabis Sector Lead. During his tenure, Omar worked with several licensed cannabis producers, retailers and companies involved in the cannabis ancillary space to affect public policy changes and build corporate profile.
He has over 15 years of experience working as a political and communications strategist in Canadian federal and provincial politics, including serving as Chief of Staff to several Ontario Ministers, including, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade and the Minister of Government Services. With a diverse policy background across healthcare, economics, regulatory affairs, and labour relations, Omar has a proven track record developing complex policy proposals, building stakeholder coalitions, and leading and executing communications plans.
Kim specializes in public affairs at the municipal level and brings more than a decade of extensive experience providing senior counsel to clients across multiple industries. She levers deep knowledge about the processes and practises of the municipal sector, related agencies, authorities and school boards to achieve client goals.
While the majority of Kim’s work has been focused in the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA), she tracks key issues and votes across Canada, and provides strategic counsel to national and international clients. Kim has built and executed successful public affairs engagements on a wide range of municipal issues including infrastructure, transportation, budget/taxation, labour relations, public health, waste management and licensing. She has successfully managed various aspects of development files, changes to a variety of municipal by-laws and policies, and overseen procurement responses and processes.
Kim’s expertise is not limited to one level of government—her political experience spans 25 years at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. Prior to her career in public affairs, she spent several years at Queen’s Park with the NDP Caucus providing political and legislative counsel. In addition, she served as executive assistant to two Toronto District School Board Trustees.
Melissa has more than a decade of experience serving as a strategic communications leader in high-profile positions across the most senior ranks of the federal government, political campaigns across Canada and in the private sector. With a diverse background spanning Finance, Trade, Foreign Affairs and the Environment, Melissa has a proven track record developing successful public affairs and communications engagement campaigns as well as effective issues management strategies. A seasoned communicator, Melissa brings focused experience in problem solving and strategy development for public affairs & stakeholder engagement campaigns as well as reputation, issues management and crisis communications.
Experience
Prior to joining H+K, Melissa was head of Premier Doug Ford’s 2018 Campaign Warroom and served as chief spokesperson for the campaign. Prior to that she served as Caroline Mulroney’s Leadership Campaign Director. Melissa has also held senior roles in the 2008, 2011 and 2015 federal Conservative Party of Canada campaign warrooms. From 2007 to 2015, Melissa served as Director of Communications for Canada’s Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Environment. She provided strategic communications advice, speech-writing and media relations support to Ministers in an intense and highly scrutinized media environments. Melissa also brings private sector experience in financial communications having worked as a Senior Director at CIBC World Markets. Melissa has provided media-training, debate prep and speech coaching to both political leaders and C-Suite executives. She is also frequent media commentator on the topic of Canadian politics.
Melissa graduated (summa cum laude) from the University of Toronto and went on to graduate studies at Ottawa University. Melissa is active in community service as a volunteer, board member and mentor with several organizations. She serves on the board of directors for the Canadian Jewish Public Affairs Committee (CJPAC) and on the board of the Canadian Council of Jewish Affairs (CIJA) in Toronto. Melissa is a mentor with Women in Politics (WIP) and is active in fundraising and raising awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Melissa is fluent in English, French and Russian.
Sarah has more than 15 years experience in politics, stakeholder relations and public engagement. She has provided advice to cabinet ministers, the Liberal Party of Canada, federal and municipal governments, and leading corporations and associations.
Prior to joining Auxly and Nesta, Sarah was Vice President, Public and Corporate Affairs at Hill+Knowlton where she provided strategic advice regarding medical cannabis and the emerging regime of legalized cannabis. She was registered to lobby the government regarding policies and regulations relating to the distribution of cannabis, and helped her clients understand Health Canada guidelines and the legislative process as Canada moved towards implementation of the Cannabis Act.
Sarah holds a Honours Bachelor degree from the University of Ottawa, which included an International Exchange at l’Université de Picardie, France.
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