Past Expo Speakers

Industry CEOs and executives

Adriano, also known as Andy, De Filippis is identified in the supplied materials with Cannavative in Nevada. His biography focuses on cannabis sales, brand strategy, product positioning, pricing and retail execution. He shares practical approaches for emerging brands and operators working in competitive markets.

Educators

Ahmand Sullivan’s supplied biography identifies him with Kush Cafe and describes experience in culinary arts, event planning, public speaking and cannabis education. His work includes educational sessions for consumers and industry newcomers, event coordination, and media coverage. These are archived speaker-supplied descriptions, rather than a medical endorsement.

Medical and legal professionals

Ashley Mosby’s supplied biography identifies her as a CPA and MBA with experience in accounting, advisory and tax services. Through Dope CFO Certified Advisors, she focuses on the financial needs of cannabis, hemp and CBD operators. Her Expo presentation materials discuss startup planning, entity structure, tax considerations and financial management.

Industry CEOs and executives

Brian Wingfield is a co-founder of Ohio Cannabis Company, a family-owned Ohio cannabis company. The supplied Expo biography describes the opening of its first dispensary in Coshocton in 2019 and the team’s subsequent work serving medical patients and adult-use customers across Ohio.

Veterans

Brooke Gardner’s supplied biography identifies him as vice president of FrontLine Strategies 101 and Ohio director of Minorities for Medical Marijuana. A veteran, entrepreneur and advocate, he works on commercial development, legislative policy, social equity and industry inclusion. The materials also identify him as founder of BWG Cannabis Life Coaching LLC and a Cleveland School of Cannabis graduate.

Educators

Everett Sanders served as ACT LAB’s Regional Director of Business Development for the Ohio market. His submitted Expo biography describes more than a decade of cannabis industry experience in sales strategy, market development and client relationships, including roles at Leafly, Weedmaps, Jupiter Research and CCELL.

His work focuses on enterprise partnerships, business development and services for cannabis manufacturing clients. Biography reflects the materials submitted for the 2026 Expo.

Athletes

Gerald Moore Jr.’s supplied biography describes him as a former All-American and NFL player, nonprofit leader and entrepreneur. His advocacy includes cannabis, environmental justice, African American male wellness, and support for underserved youth and communities. His archived Columbus Expo participation included the Athletes and Cannabis panel.

Industry CEOs and executives

Greg Baughman’s supplied biography identifies him as co-founder and president of Cryo Cure. It describes his experience as a breeder, cultivator, processor and cannabis technology innovator. His work connects plant knowledge, genetics and drying technology used by licensed operators.

Women in Cannabis

Heather Leitelt’s supplied biography identifies her as manager of the marijuana-related business program at Wright-Patt Credit Union. It describes financial-services experience in risk management, operations and regulatory compliance, with a focus on Ohio cannabis banking since 2019. Her Expo topics include banking access, compliance frameworks and financial strategies for regulated businesses.

Medical and legal professionals

Jabari Shaw’s supplied biography identifies him as an attorney in the Vorys Cincinnati office. His practice focuses on intellectual property development, protection and enforcement, including trademark and copyright matters. The materials describe work on IP strategy, licensing, marketing and advertising issues for cannabis, hemp and CBD businesses. They list legal, business and undergraduate study at Northern Kentucky University, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Educators

Josh Crosier’s supplied Expo materials feature Hocking College, Soiled Obsessions and Appalachian Girls Cannabis Company. The biography describes horticultural education, the preservation of organoleptic compounds, and cultivation in southeastern Ohio. It emphasizes consumer education and Appalachian agricultural roots.

Medical and legal professionals

Joshua Smith’s supplied biography identifies him as an Ohio State University graduate, pharmacist and CEO of Southern Ohio Botanicals. It describes pharmacy management, controlled-substance compliance, patient guidance, privacy and security experience, and service in the Ohio Air National Guard. He also founded JSL Productions, an audio-visual company. His Expo materials discuss consumer education and his interest in the cannabis industry.

Entrepreneurs

Justin Esquivel is identified in his supplied Expo biography as CEO and geneticist of Green Luster Phenos. His work includes cultivation consulting, plant genetics, tissue culture and selective breeding. The biography describes experience with home growers and commercial cultivation facilities, along with educational speaking engagements.

Community leaders

Kenneth Smith’s supplied biography describes an Ohio community advocate committed to service, accountability and second chances. His experience navigating the Ohio pardon process informs his advocacy for justice reform and opportunities to rebuild lives. His work includes cannabis education, equity, outreach and community service.

Educators

Lexie Stewart’s supplied biography identifies her as technical customer success manager at ACT LAB. It describes earlier work as lead microbiologist and laboratory supervisor after joining ACT in 2020. The biography lists a bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology, with a chemistry minor, from John Carroll University.

Educators

Mallory Paul’s supplied biography identifies her as vice president of commercial development at ACT LAB. It describes developing services for cultivators and processors beyond compliance testing and earlier leadership of processing and formulations at Holistic Industries. Her experience includes research and development, extraction, infused-product operations, analytical quality control and third-party testing relationships across multiple states. The materials describe academic training in biochemistry at Auburn University.

Activists

Mary Jane Borden’s supplied biography describes her as an author, graphic artist, analyst and cannabis activist from Westerville, Ohio. Her work includes cannabis-focused organizations, proposed constitutional amendments, medical marijuana legislation, Columbus Free Press articles and media interviews. She is a Courage in Cannabis contributor, and her artwork is featured at CannabinArt.com.

Activists

Mike Smith’s supplied Expo biography describes him as a technologist, patient advocate and independent political candidate at the time of submission. His background includes IT leadership, an MBA and graduate study in cybersecurity. The materials describe advocacy for home cultivation, consumer education and voter-approved cannabis protections, along with service on the board of Civics Cannabis. Political candidacy and affiliations here reflect the archived materials.

Medical and legal professionals

Phil Burd owns Burd Accounting Service, which specializes in accounting for cannabis companies. His supplied Expo biography describes more than 25 years of accounting experience and a focus on helping cannabis businesses navigate industry-specific tax and accounting requirements.

Veterans

Rodney “Doc” Walbecq is a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman veteran. His supplied biography describes direct patient care, instructor service, and later work helping people navigate Medicaid and insurance. He founded Utopic Essential Nutrients and hosts Sick Call With Doc, with a focus on veterans, community care and discussions of plant-based approaches. Individual health outcomes described in speaker materials are personal experiences, not Expo medical guidance.

Legislative and government

The supplied Expo biography describes Bill DeMora’s election to the Ohio Senate in November 2022 and his representation of the 25th Senate District, including communities in Franklin County. His archived Expo participation includes discussion of Ohio cannabis policy. This historical biography does not imply a 2027 appearance.

Entrepreneurs

Stephen Johnson’s supplied biography identifies him as CEO and co-founder of Horticulture Lighting Group and developer of the Quantum Board. His work spans lighting engineering, controlled-environment agriculture and American manufacturing. The biography also identifies him as a founder of Flow Gardens, an East Tennessee cultivation and consulting company.

Educators

Tahaney Abuzahrieh’s supplied biography identifies her as laboratory manager at ACT LAB in Ohio. Since joining in 2020, she served in laboratory technician, chemist and supervisory roles. The biography lists a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Akron and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Toledo.

Industry CEOs and executives

Tim Bohlke is identified in his supplied Expo materials with Resource Label Group. His biography describes more than 15 years working with brands in the packaging industry, including education about packaging choices and sustainable solutions.

Veterans

Tim Johnson’s supplied biography identifies him as founder of FrontLine Strategies 101 and Cannabis Safety First LLC, a retired law-enforcement officer and a U.S. Air Force veteran. His work includes government affairs, legislative policy, safety and security consulting, training, patient and consumer protections, and criminal justice reform. His Expo materials describe involvement with Ohio’s cannabis and hemp programs and dispensary education.