Lucky Leaf Expo Dallas 2026

Alex Burnett is Principal Owner of Canna Innovations, a consulting firm specializing in teaching Lean thinking and creating purpose-built equipment to improve productivity in the cannabis industry. Mr. Burnett has Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology and a Master of Business Administration. Improved Fresh Frozen harvest process for cannabis grower. Cycle time dropped from 45 min to 15min, reduced floor space required by 60%, lowered labor cost by $21,600 annually.

Allison Benedict, founder of Pause Consumption Lounge, turned a college accident into a passionate career in cannabis advocacy. With an EPA-GRO fellowship and pivotal roles in the industry, including at TerrAscend, Allison champions consumer education and regulatory reform. At Pause, she fosters a stigma-free environment for adults to explore cannabis safely and knowledgeably.

Erin Gandara, owner of Elevar Business Advisors, brings 20+ years of expertise in business management, HR, operations, and finance. Formerly at Morgan Stanley and CliftonLarsonAllen, she excels in supporting diverse industries, including cannabis, construction, and hospitality. Erin’s leadership extends to civic engagement, recognized by Albuquerque Business First (ABF) and various local organizations. Erin was chosen as part of the Inaugural Who’s Who of Cannabis in 2023 for ABF.

Cari O'Brien is an experienced content marketer with over 15 years in the digital marketing industry. As a consultant, speaker and content creator, she finds great joy in helping connect her clients with their dream customers. She’s the founder of Custom Content Solutions (customcontentllc.com) and the creator of the Connection Copywriting Method. When not working, Cari’s most likely hanging out with her gamer son, immersing herself in something Disney-related or planning her next big adventure.

Justin graduated from St. Cloud University where he earned his accounting degree and worked in the finance operations and cash management space for the past 8 years. He supported the member bank clients with daily services that included cash operations, audit and reconciliation needs, fraud resolution and technical support. Justin also managed the bank’s internal needs, operations and liquidity. He has led and supported many project implementations including a new treasury workspace and a new wire and payment system. Justin is now leveraging these skills as a Dope CFO Certified Advisor. He enables Cannabis operators to develop high value financial processes and procedures and scale them across their entire business. He brings forward thinking and learning to the Dope Certified Advisers team while understanding the importance of having a sound structure and process in place in order to succeed.

Dave’s career path is a roadmap of strategic thinking and financial acumen. He began with a solid foundation in accounting as a CPA at Ernst & Young and a senior analyst at Target. His thirst for innovation led him to the tech world, where he focused on business intelligence and marketing platforms with industry leaders like Oracle, Epiphany, and Infor. Dave’s entrepreneurial spirit then took center stage. He founded, grew, and ultimately sold Three Deep Marketing (acquired by Bold Orange), a testament to his ability to build successful businesses. This experience also honed his ability to translate vision into reality. Now, Dave leverages his expertise at Dope CFO Certified Advisors. He empowers Cannabis Executives to achieve financial success through improved compliance, cash flow, and overall business value. Dave’s services encompass bookkeeping, accounting, financial planning, and advisory services, ensuring a holistic approach to financial health for Cannabis Enterprises.

Aaron Pelley is a Partner at CannaLaw, which is the cannabis division of Harris Sliwoski. For over 15 years, Aaron Pelley has stood at the forefront of the evolving landscape of cannabis regulation. Aaron is a champion of emerging markets and an ardent advocate for cannabis industry entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors. He has crafted key cannabis legislation and established himself as a leading authority on cannabis law and practice. Aaron is frequently recognized for his outstanding legal contributions, earning accolades such as Super Lawyer, Top 100 Trial Lawyer from National Trial Lawyers, Top 200 Global Cannabis Lawyer and Top Cannabis Litigators. Aaron is committed to an integrous cannabis industry, which includes fostering equitable relationships among business partners, and championing those who lead the charge in this transformative industry.

Stefanie Mulrooney’s career shift from Fortune 500 IT to cannabis advocate stems from a life-altering accident in 2013, leading her to embrace yoga and discover the healing power of cannabis. As a key figure at BLNCD Naturals, she propelled the brand to national recognition while advocating for cannabis legalization and supporting her Ukrainian heritage through community service. Grounded in yoga and meditation, Stefanie embodies resilience and purpose.

Mark R. Waller, CPA, brings 15+ years of experience as a public accountant and a controller in the private sector to cannabis companies in Minnesota and beyond. He leverages this experience to provide sound and trusted CFO and advisory services to CEOs, founders, and other cannabis company leaders and stakeholders. Through his efforts and expertise, cannabis businesses across the U.S. have achieved great success, building strong companies poised for growth on a rock-solid foundation.

Nic Easley is the Founder & CEO of 3C Consulting, the leading global strategic cannabis consulting firm, and the CEO & Managing Director for Multiverse Capital, a cannabis venture firm. Over the last 16 years, Nic has worked with over 1,000 cannabis companies in 42 U.S. states, two U.S. territories, and 27 countries. From obtaining Good Practice certifications to coveted cannabis business licenses, Nic helps build companies by balancing practicality and altruism with profitability.

Jessi is the owner of a website development agency in Anoka, Minnesota. She oversees company operations and growth, and she is passionate about maintaining a business where people love to come to work. She has been developing websites for more than 20 years, and loves helping business owners grow by maximizing their revenue through their website and online presence. Jessi lives in Anoka with her two elementary-aged boys, and loves to travel, network, and cook elaborate vegan dinners.

Veronika Alfaro, a first-generation Mexican American, is a passionate advocate, founder of Mi Sota Essence, a Latina cannabis company, wife, and mother of three. Fueled by her journey and navigating the limitations of traditional Western medication, she’s dedicated to destigmatizing cannabis, breaking down barriers, creating a space for Latinos in the industry, and promoting mobility, by empowering yourself through movement, cannabis, and self-care.

With over 15 years’ experience, Kyle has been focused on improving water management programs across multiple industries, with a central focus of treating water for reuse applications. Since establishing Silver Bullet’s Horticulture Division, Kyle has exponentially grown the business unit’s install base and cultivated a nationally known water treatment brand for many controlled environment agriculture applications, including cannabis.

Jamie Croyle is a passionate advocate for natural healing, specializing in cannabis, mushrooms, and various plant medicines. With a deep commitment to guiding individuals on their journey towards holistic wellness, Jamie’s expertise and dedication empower others to explore the transformative potential of these natural medicines. Her mission is to demystify the healing power of nature’s gifts and foster a greater understanding of how cannabis, mushrooms, and plant medicines can enhance wellbeing