(Hired or promoted someone for a senior-level position? Send a news release or general information about the move to editorial@mjbizdaily.com.)
A look at some hiring moves in the cannabis industry in 2025:
Jena Murray is U.S. Hemp Roundtable’s new leader
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, a national organization that represents the interests of the hemp industry in Washington, D.C., has appointed 10 new members to provide input and oversight in 2025.
The newest officers include investors, policymakers, executives with experience in consumer-packaged goods and advocates, according to a Feb. 7 news release.
The Roundtable’s new president is Jena Murray, who serves as director of quality and regulatory at California-headquartered Medterra CBD.
The organization’s new executive vice president is Art Massolo, the vice president of business development at the Seattle-based Cycling Frog cannabis brand.
“The new officer slate reflects a diverse range of perspectives, ensuring that the U.S. Hemp Roundtable continues to be a powerful advocate for the industry’s growth and success,” the organization said in a statement.
Marijuana Policy Project taps Lauren Daly as interim executive director
Lauren Daly, who got her first taste of cannabis advocacy in 2013 as a membership assistant at Marijuana Policy Project, is returning to the Washington, D.C.-based organization as interim executive director.
After eight months with the MPP, Daly joined another advocacy group, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, as a development officer and, in 2017, became the SSDP’s development director, according to a Feb. 5 news release.
Before returning to the MPP, she managed a multimillion-dollar donor portfolio at Brown University.
Daly will assume the role held by Matthew Schweich since 2023, when Toi Hutchinson stepped down from the president/CEO role she took in 2021.
Schweich will return to his role of deputy director, according to the release.
Tiana Arriaga joins Standard Wellness as VP of product and marketing
Tiana Arriaga is the new vice president of product and marketing at Standard Wellness, a marijuana multistate operator based in Cleveland.
Arriaga will lead Standard’s marketing initiatives, brand development and product strategy, according to a Feb. 5 news release.
She most recently served as chief product officer at Miss Grass, a California-based company focused on cannabis genetics and solventless offerings, the release noted.
Agrify adds Peter Shapiro, Sanjay Tolia to its board
Peter Shapiro and Sanjay Tolia have joined the board of directors at Agrify Corp., a cannabis cultivation and extraction solutions company based in Troy, Michigan.
In addition, Richard Drexler has exited the board, according to a Feb. 5 news release.
All three moves were effective Jan. 31.
Shapiro is “an independent music entrepreneur” who has owned and/or operated music venues such as the Brooklyn Bowl, The Capitol Theatre, Wetlands Preserve and the Bearsville Theater, the release noted.
Tolia co-founded Marine Layer Advisors and cannabis-focused hedge fund Bengal Capital, where she serves as managing director, according to the release.
Brad Asher stepping down as Ayr Wellness’ chief financial officer
Brad Asher is resigning as chief financial officer at Miami-based Ayr Wellness.
He is leaving to pursue “another opportunity,” according to a Feb 3 news release.
Asher’s last day at “Ayr will be effective at a mutually agreed upon date” after the company has filed its financial statements for 2024.
Terry Mendez to replace retiring Sundie Seefried as Safe Harbor CEO
Business transformation expert Terry Mendez will become CEO of Safe Harbor Financial after Sundie Seefried retires from the cannabis financial services company in the next 30 days.
Seefried and Mendez will serve as co-CEOs of the Golden, Colorado-based firm during the transition, according to a Jan. 30 news release.
After the transition, Seefried will continue to serve on Safe Harbor’s board of directors.
Roeland Coopman appointed CCO at Ridder
Roeland Coopman has been installed as chief commercial officer at Ridder, a Netherlands-based company that offers climate, water and management technology for greenhouses, including those in the medical cannabis industry.
He will start his new role on Feb. 3, according to a Jan. 28 news release.
Roeland most recently served as CCO and chief strategy officer at another Netherlands agricultural company, Agrifac Machinery B.V.
Marijuana operator Ayr Wellness promotes COO to president
Miami-based marijuana multistate operator Ayr Wellness promoted Chief Operating Officer George DeNardo to the role of president.
As president, DeNardo will oversee companywide operations including cultivation, manufacturing, retail, wholesale and marketing, according to a Jan. 27 news release.
He is stepping into a role that opened in September when David Goubert resigned as Ayr’s president and CEO.
Cannabis analyst joins Leef Brands
Jesse Redmond, a former cannabis analyst, hedge fund manager and marijuana retail operator, is joining Leef Brands as head of investor relations and business development.
In his new role, Redmond will “leverage his extensive industry expertise and financial acumen to build relationships with investors and accelerate business growth opportunities,” according to a Jan. 21 news release from Leef, a cannabis extraction company with offices in Willits, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Redmond, based in California, has been working as a marijuana analyst and head of cannabis at Water Tower Research, an investment advisory firm.
Leef also announced it has received its 2025 cultivation licenses from the California Department of Cannabis Control, clearing “the way for the planting of Salisbury Canyon Ranch this spring.”
“Once fully operational, the 187-acre site will be one of the largest cannabis farms in the world,” the release noted.
Super Bowl winner joins Leafwell
NFL veteran and cannabis industry entrepreneur and activist Marvin Washington has joined Leafwell as an adviser.
In his new role, Washington – who was a member of the Denver Broncos team that won Super Bowl XXXIII – will “lead conversations with players’ unions to integrate cannabis consultations and treatments into the health benefits negotiated through collective bargaining agreements, providing tailored solutions to the unique health challenges faced by athletes and their families,” according to a Jan. 14 news release from Leafwell.
Leafwell is a virtual cannabis care clinic based in Miami.
California infusion company hires Abbot veteran
Dr. Gul Konuklar has been hired as vice president of research and development at Vertosa.
The Berkeley, California-based company creates emulsions and other active ingredients for infused cannabis products makers.
Konuklar, whose specialties include lab design, will work closely with Dr. Harold Han, a co-founder and chief science officer at Vertosa, to “spearhead initiatives to enhance Vertosa’s product offerings” and “expand the intellectual property portfolio,” according to a Jan. 9 news release.
iAnthus removes ‘interim’ from CFO’s title
Financial services veteran Justin Vu has been appointed permanent chief financial officer at iAnthus Capital Holdings, a cannabis multistate operator with offices in New York and Toronto.
Vu was appointed interim CFO on April 5, 2024, after joining iAnthus in early 2023 as a senior vice president of finance, according to a Jan. 6 news release.
Before entering cannabis, Vu held senior finance posts with different companies.
Among his stops was a nine-year stint at Warner Entertainment, where Vu spent almost two years in the role of director of global finance.