At the age of 16, Antwoin “Chef Fresh” Gutierrez exhibited the first signs of an emerging, but misguided, entrepreneurial spirit when he began to sell illegal narcotics in his hometown, Peekskill. After a stint in prison, a more mature Antwoin recognized that the business skills he developed on the streets could be applied to more legitimate ventures, and he has transformed his life since his release in 2011. He discovered his natural talent for baking as a trainee in The Doe Fund at the age of 25. After two years of exploring New York City’s demanding pastry/culinary industry, he was hired as a full-time employee by The Doe Fund and became the organization’s youngest Culinary Instructor by age 27. Since finding his passion, Chef Fresh has groomed his talents in establishments such as The Gramercy Park Hotel, Upland, Bouchon Bakery, Pain D’Avignon and Zaro’s Bake Shop. In 2017, he launched his own “online bakery” called Fresh Taste Bakery. Read more by clicking here.
IG: @freshtastebakery
Breanna Neff is a Certified Food Scientist and functional cannabis enthusiast. She’s worked for both international food & beverage corporations + bare-bones startups as a product developer, R&D engineer, and FDA compliance specialist. Incorporating this industry expertise with a strong base from Cornell’s leading Food Science program, Breanna combined her love of homeopathic remedies, cannabis + functional ingredients to develop brelixi: a line of functional, ready-to-mix, perfectly-dosed drink mixes designed to highdrate + elevate your now. IG: @brelixi
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Esther Lelievre knows the importance and value of representation in the world. Having formerly sat as an Education City Council Representative for District 29, Lelievre worked to make equitable changes in the education system by collaborating with council members of various districts. She has organized four youth programs on Career/Business Exploration, Entrepreneurship, Cannabis Education, and Financial Literacy. Her passion for youth education is highlighted by Queen Mixxy Media’s work with the Coney Island Mermaid Parade abdthe youth-education program Behind The Sideshow, a STEM Workshop focused on disability access in science. Esther is also CEO of MWBE Queen Mixxy Media and Founder of The Lelievre Foundation. Through strategic partnerships with IS 98, Staten Island teachers, EmblemHealth, Essentia Water, Ayr Wellness, and the West Indian American Day Caribbean Association, she has organized book distributions and five back-to-school drives providing backpacks to more than 900 students within the five boroughs. IG: @queenmixxy
Hawaii Mike Salman is a branding maestro and founder of Chef for HigherTM, a quickly growing culinary and culture company specializing in cannabis-infused foods and popular tastemaker dining events. Chef For Higher launched their line of edibles in New York’s adult us market in April 2023. For over 25 years, he’s been on the frontlines of music, media, and lifestyle, using hip-hop and cannabis as conduits for pursuing his passions and refining his alchemy. Hawaii has worked with legendary hip-hop groups like Mobb Deep and consulted for global brands like Nike, Reebok, Estee Lauder, and Mountain Dew. He has also guided the careers of influential personalities like Nigel Sylvester, DJ Clark Kent, and Jonathan Mannion. He founded LTD magazine, served as a lifestyle editor for The Source magazine, and was co-founder & editor-in-chief of tattoo publication INKED. Hawaii Mike has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, VH1, BET, Spectrum1 and Forbes. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, and is available for thought-leadership panels and speaking engagements. IG: @hwmk | @chefforhigher | @flyprivatesocial
Igor Yakovlev is an educator, beekeeper, certified cannabis manufacturer, and owner of glass-bottled home delivery milk service Udderly Delicious as well as Beezy Beez Honey on Staten Island. IG: @beezybeezhoney
Chef Jacquie Hogan‘s extensive experience infusing cannabis into food began nearly two decades ago when she and her mother baked hash brownies during her cancer battle. Inspired by this, she changed her career path by joining SUNY Westchester’s Culinary Arts & Management program in 2012. Her experimentation with cannabis-infused desserts fueled her aspiration to enter the cannabis industry. Discovering Oaksterdam University in 2015, she embraced the chance to study there, and later dove into the industry by joining a company specializing in solventless extraction equipment. Attending cannabis conferences, she found a supportive community in Women Grow during the CWBCExpo. Today, she crafts her own line of edibles, runs a cannabis-focused catering and personal chef business, and empowers women to find their space in cannabis, all while continuing to be inspired by the swirling clouds of the plant she loves. IG: @highly.personal.chef
Jason A. Little counsels clients on various business matters, including structure, expansion, formation, sale and dissolution of business entities and partnerships, regulatory compliance, internal and external best practices, compliance audits, and general advice concerning complex and novel issues of law. Additionally, Jason handles all aspects of commercial, business and bankruptcy litigation from inception to trial; negotiates various commercial agreements, including asset purchase and buy-sell agreements, stock purchase agreements, licensing agreements, forbearance and other negotiated restructuring and workout agreements, non-compete and nondisclosure agreements, and complex settlement agreements in commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters; and handles creditor matters in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, including issues concerning claims and claims objections, issues concerning assumption and assignment of leases and executory contracts, and fraudulent conveyance issues. Jason has a special interest and unique experience in supporting clients in the cannabis industry. LinkedIn: Jason Little
Cannabis activist and culture-maker Julie Miller owns and operates Ivy House Studio, a 2500-square-foot space with high ceilings and windows on every wall providing beautiful daylight. With an eclectic assortment of furniture and interesting items, the space can be arranged to suit the needs of each booking. Kitchen, full bathroom, and dressing/greenroom available. Event, production, and creative services also offered. Visit at 322 Troutman St in Bushwick, BK. IG: @ivyhousestudio
Karen Goodlad, CSW, is an Associate Professor at New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York where she is the Chairperson of the Department of Hospitality Management. Specializing in beverage management, she teaches an array of courses preparing students to become leaders in the hospitality industry.
As a proud and active member of Les Dames d’Escoffier New York, she moderated the inaugural wine-trends conference, The Next Big Sip. She was named by Total Food Service as a Top Woman in Metro New York Foodservice & Hospitality in 2019 and 2020. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators. Her academic publications highlight her work as an educator and cover topics such as place-based learning, the first-year transition to college, and wine education.
IG: @profgoodvino
Mario Ramos is a cannabis advocate, pioneer, and artist who co-hosts the Tri-State High Society “Seshcast” and owns and operates a new dispensary in NYC. IG: @ibudyou
Miguel Trinidad is the execute chef and co-owner of Maharlika Filipino Moderno and Jeepney restaurants along with 99th Floor NYC. He is a judge on Season 3 of Viceland’s cannabis-culinary competition show, Bong Appetite. Watch his most recent appearance on CBS by clicking here. IG: @chefmigsnyc
Sara Rodberg founded and operates BookBaddies.org, a community-education initiative to support the efforts of a local organization Promise of Greatness through the collection of books via book drives, bake sales, and back-to-school events. Promise of Greatness, founded by Peppy Simon, offers a better-than-basic foster-care model serving NYC youth. BookBaddies found a home at TreeHouse Cafe NYC with Donna Moseley in Inwood where local community members and visitors from the corners of the boroughs near and far gather for elevated treats and a refreshing break from the buzz of the busy-ness outside. Together, these organizations foster connections within and among community to uplift, elevate, and educate one another about as much of the world’s wisdoms as we can and to offer a network of inclusive support for all through trauma-informed andragogical education practices and harm-reductive socioemotional support. BookBaddies is an initiative of saranoh.co, a grant-writing and educational-consulting firm founded by Sara Rodberg, a 15-year interdisciplinary educator. IG: @sarabamf
Solonje Burnett is the weed auntie, and co-founder and Chief Culture & Community Officer of erven.ai. A Caribbean-American multihyphenate, culture curator, creator, brand strategist, spaceholder and experience producer, she focuses on creating inclusive and intersectional containers for holistic wellbeing rooted in connectivity and care while amplifying marginalized + melanated practitioners, creatives, and entrepreneurs in cannabis and beyond. Solonje speaks, partners, and consults on brand education + marketing, social equity, sustainability, self care, sexual health, racial injustice, gender discrimination, and community empowerment.
She is a proud Floret Coalition board member, Broccoli Magazine’s anti-racist cannabis collective giving monthly donations to orgs prioritizing the communities most affected by the war on drugs. Solonje is a member of the 2023 Clio Cannabis Marketing & Advertising Jury. She performs with the creative protest group Resistance Revival Chorus. Solonje has been featured in publications like Marie Claire, Forbes, High Times, Instyle, Refinery29, Girl Boss, Black Enterprise, Atmos, Well+Good and VICE. IG: @solonjeburnett
With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for trends, Steven Phan‘s journey began as an activist in the cannabis space over a decade ago. As he witnessed the transition from hemp to THC, he saw a growing need to support emerging brands entering this exciting new market. In response to the shifting landscape, Steven made a bold pivot, founding Lettuce Print in 2023 – a cutting-edge printing and design firm dedicated to empowering cannabis businesses to succeed and stand out. With a comprehensive range of services, Lettuce Print brings brands to life through captivating logos, compliant packaging designs, striking marketing collateral, and custom merchandise printing.
Steven’s journey has been one of adaptability and ingenuity. Having co-founded QuadDeuceNil (QDN) in 2014, an urban cannabis lifestyle brand, he sought to change perceptions and create an enlightened community. In 2018, he launched Come Back Daily, an experiential CBD retail store in Tribeca, to provide customers with hands-on education and engagement with CBD products.A true thought leader, Steven’s insights on industry topics, from hemp legalization to cannabis education have been featured in esteemed media outlets. He actively engages in panel discussions and passionately shares his expertise, driving positive change in the cannabis community. IG: @phan_man
An award-winning cannabis-activist, Takisha Carter holds multiple certifications, including Cannabis Advocacy, Cannabis Health Coaching, Cannabis Education, Professional Interpening, and Cooking With Cannabis. Integrating her skillsets in personal, patient, and customer care, she is focused on the consumer and patient experience in the cannabis industry. She currently serves as a “Head Coach” in Connecticut for the CT Social Equity Cannabis Business Accelerator program powered by Oaksterdam University for the food and beverage and product manufacturing licensees. She served as a “Graduate Mentor” for the Cannabis Coaching Institute, became a federally certified Cannabis Expert Witness, and the first Hi Chef for HI BNB in the US. Her belief is that cannabis advocacy is a prerequisite to entering the industry. She advocates for safe access to and affordability of the cannabis plant in underserved communities, as well as equity for women and restorative justice for the BIPOC community.
As an entrepreneur, Takisha is the founder of “Native Nubian Wellness,” a wellness enterprise, where she offers a host of services with priority in educating the community about the health benefits of regulated plant medicines, conscious cannabis consumption and intentional use for their diagnosis. Seeing the need for visibility and representation of black women in the cannabis community and industry, she also founded “Black Women Who Blaze.” A platform that provides safe space for black women to consume, commune, and collaborate. Always a student of the plant, she is a disabled mom of 3 who loves DIYs with plant medicine, crafting, and supporting others transformation. IG: @nativenubianwellness
Tanya Osborne‘s career journey has been a ride… spanning the music industry, finance, business coaching, and the evolving cannabis landscape. Her commitment to fostering communities and empowering women shines through her roles from Atlantic Records to financial services. Championing medical cannabis since the ’90s, Tanya’s early advocacy has left a lasting impact. As Director of Community and Digital Production for Women Grow, she empowers women in cannabis, while her initiatives like The CannaDiva LLC, and the upcoming The CannaDiva Collective celebrate and connect women in the industry. Tanya’s influence also extends to important boards such as NYS Cannabis Workforce Initiative, CUNY’s Cannabis Advisory, and The NYC Cannabis Parade. A catalyst for change, Tanya inspires on multiple fronts. IG: @thecannadiva
Tiffany Stoker is the treasurer of the New York CannaBusiness Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit organization founded to foster trade and commerce in the cannabis industry in New York State. She is also an accountant and financial consultant, specializing in supporting cannabis entrepreneurs. IG: @NYCannaBizCC
Tiffany Walters is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of SUNY Brockport with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Communications. She is the co-founder and CEO of New York State Cannabis Connect, a company that provides equitable knowledge and resources to everyone in the cannabis industry.
Walters is a lifelong resident of New York State and grew up in a community that was disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. She is passionate about using her platform to promote social equity and inclusion in the cannabis industry and to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the economic and therapeutic potential of this plant. Walters is also a successful entrepreneur, having owned and operated a state-regulated business for over 8 years. She is a mother and is passionate about creating a more just and equitable world for her children and for all generations to come. IG: @nyscannabisconnect
Much like her bright mint-green hair, Chef Wendy Zeng is a breath of fresh air in the world of cannabis cuisine. Born in the city of Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province, Wendy spent her formative years in her grandfather’s kitchen, mastering the diverse flavors and intricate techniques of the region’s complex cuisine. At the age of 10, she migrated across the world to Memphis, Tennessee, immersing herself in the legacy of Southern barbecue and soul food. She realized that the South’s culinary delights, similar to Sichuan cuisine, are about honoring one’s family, history, and the dishes that bring us together.
Now based in Los Angeles, Wendy continues to draw inspiration from the city’s ever-evolving gastronomical landscape. Her catering company Drizzle celebrates cultural and historical diversity through contemporary interpretations of classic, instantly recognizable Asian offerings. Wendy’s keen culinary style earned her victory on Chopped 420, a cannabis spin-off of the popular Chopped competition series. In August 2021, she launched “Chili Party,” her signature line of gourmet Sichuan chili oil that granted her a competitive edge on the show. Through hosting a series of pop-up, cannabis-infused supper clubs, Wendy infuses a familiar, shared sense of community with cannabis lovers and foodies. Her goal is to destigmatize the recreational use of cannabis by using quality, market-driven ingredients and guiding others on responsible consumption.
IG: @wenyerhungry
In addition to the above Advisory Board members, we are also proud to partner with the following community organizations and employers:
