About

We are leaders in the Illinois cannabis industry.

Our mission is to empower women of all ages and backgrounds to build strong relationships, networks, and careers in the cannabis industry.

Our story

In 2014, with Illinois’ approval of cannabis for medical use, IWC founder Dina Rollman saw an unprecedented opportunity: A brand new industry was forming and the proverbial glass ceiling professional women have faced throughout history did not yet exist. Rollman wanted not only to keep it that way, but to ensure that as the industry matured, it did so with women poised to lead. 

Out of that ideal, IWC was created that same year to serve, support, and advance women connected to Illinois’ regulated cannabis industry. Today, Illinois Women in Cannabis is the leading cannabis industry networking organization in Illinois. Organized as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit,  IWC hosts multiple networking and educational opportunities for women, men, and organizations annually. 

IWC is comprised of members with skills as diverse as advertising, marketing, law, finance, accounting, patient care, agriculture, horticulture, retail, and more. These stakeholders are fueling our organization’s activities and growth. 

From government regulators to patient advocates and everything in between, our members have been on the front lines of the Illinois cannabis industry since its inception and IWC has been there to support them. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that as the industry develops and matures, it does so with women at the forefront.

Looking ahead

By 2025, the number of people employed in Illinois’ regulated cannabis industry is estimated to grow to more than 63,000 — the number of people employed in the industry will be about the same as the current number of Illinois elementary school teachers.

IWC is excited to continue to support this growing industry and community, open up employment and career opportunities for more women, and help  those engaged in the field to develop their networks and skills.

What we do

Connect

Networking is key to creating an inclusive cannabis industry. By bringing women together with other professionals throughout the industry, we can build female-powered businesses that will profoundly change our communities for decades to come.

Mentor

Many of our members work at the highest organizational levels in almost every part of Illinois’ cannabis sector. Their leadership and guidance can help women reach their potential throughout the industry.

Support

We create leadership opportunities for women throughout Illinois.  Many of our members got their first entry-level job in the industry through one of our events and then watched their careers take off because of the support they received as members. 

Educate

We are committed to raising public awareness about the Illinois cannabis industry and the varied uses and medicinal benefits of cannabis consumption. We are also dedicated to providing timely and reliable educational resources through our website and social media channels for those looking to learn more. 

Advocate

We lead efforts to change federal and state policy to destigmatize cannabis use, increase access, and foster opportunity and equity in the industry. From mailing campaigns that lobby local politicians to support responsible cannabis use to featuring legislators as speakers at our events, our members have the opportunity to influence cannabis policy. 

If it weren’t for my involvement with IWC, I would never be in the position I am in today. The networking I did through IWC landed me a position that has allowed my cannabis career to take off.

Gina Gault

Cannabis Community Outreach Specialist

Meet Our Leadership Team

 

Amor Montes de Oca

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Amor Montes de Oca is the first Executive Director for Illinois Women in Cannabis. Formerly, she served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for 2112, Chicago’s first incubator for creative entrepreneurs, where she focused on creating meaningful programming, raising capital, and developing advanced professional development initiatives for members. Amor received her B.A. from DePaul University. Using her experience helping start-ups scale, Amor sees vast opportunities to create more equitable economic opportunities, drive innovation, and encourage entrepreneurial initiatives within Illinois’ burgeoning regulated cannabis industry.

Carrie Armour

BOARD MEMBER

Carrie Armour is a director of Illinois Women in Cannabis and currently serves as its president and a director. Carrie has more than fifteen years of experience representing physician organizations and companies as a government affairs attorney and advocacy consultant. Her policy work focuses on expanding cannabis education and training. She holds a B.A. from Miami University and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University School of Law. She is also a member of the Illinois Cannabis Bar Association. Carrie is excited to work with IWC to expand educational and professional opportunities for women in the cannabis industry and is committed to the growth and success of both the medical and adult use markets.

Vanessa Bachtell

BOARD MEMBER

Vanessa Bachtell is a director and vice president of Illinois Women in Cannabis. She is a principal at the law firm of Goldberg Kohn Ltd. and a member of the firm’s Corporate, Securities and Tax Group. She is also a member of the Illinois Cannabis Bar Association. Vanessa earned her B.A. in English, cum laude, from the University of Arizona and her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law. She is proud of IWC’s contributions to the growth and success of the Illinois cannabis industry and remains committed to the creation and promotion of opportunities for women in it.

Tai Duncan

BOARD MEMBER
Vice President, Community Integration, Cresco Labs

Tai Duncan has been Cresco Labs’ Vice President of Community Integration for three years, applying the knowledge of a lawyer and motivation of a college coach to advance the cannabis company’s assimilation into the hundreds of communities it serves. She strategizes with government, economic and public affairs leaders to ensure a positive impact on all stakeholders in Cresco Labs’ expanding communities.Tai received her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law, and a BA in Sociology with concentration in Gender & Women’s Studies from Grinnell College.

Gina Gault

BOARD MEMBER

Gina Gault is a valued board member and serves as Vice President for Illinois Women in Cannabis. Gina joined IWC in 2017 to assist them in their mission to reach and empower women of all backgrounds. She is an active member of the cannabis community making great connections through mentorship and elevated events, fighting stigmas as a consumer and a mother, and championing an evolution of empathetic social norms in and out of the cannabis industry. Gina works as the Field Marking and Outreach Manager for Illinois with 1906 New Highs sharing the benefits of cannabis, uplifting her community, and inspiring others to do the same. She believes strongly in IWC’s mission and values the ability to share the abundance of opportunities in this thriving industry with others.

 
 

Asya Hill

BOARD MEMBER
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Curaleaf

Asya Hill has founded her career in service to the underserved. Currently she manages Curaleaf’s national Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, serving communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs and collaborating with organizations to create pathways for the underserved into the cannabis industry. Asya is core to the Curaleaf team actively representing the company’s sustaining support of IWC; she frequently anchors IWC-hosted panel discussions with industry peers and community coalitions. Prior to joining Curaleaf in 2020, Asya was facilitating global service initiatives for rural, underprivileged communities. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago.

 
 

Jai Kensey

BOARD MEMBER
Director, Social Impact, Green Thumb Industries

Jai Kensey is a community relations and communications professional with two decades of experience engaging communities, developing partnerships and communicating authentically. For eight years she managed development communications for the largest humanitarian network in the world, the American Red Cross. Now Jai directs Green Thumb Industries’ social impact program, Growing for Good, and is dedicated to creating positive change through meaningful action in restorative justice, diversity, equity and inclusion and community impact. Jai graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Georgia State University.

Cindy Kosydor

BOARD MEMBER
Chief Strategist, Cindy K’s Shop

Cindy Kosydor is a consumer brand and business builder who began applying 15 years of CPG experience to the cannabis sector four years ago. Having built brands, increased basket size and led purpose-driven community outreach for Walgreens, Quaker and Blue Bunny Ice Cream, Cindy now consults as an efficient and agile multi-functional extension of cannabis company teams. She is currently the marketing and sales director for a new Illinois cannabis infuser and product manufacturer, Culinary Cannabis Company, and advisor to established and emerging companies throughout the supply chain. Her historic corporate vantage point and current multi-state role in Midwest’s cannabis industry development delivers unique knowledge and a hybrid network IWC will continue to benefit from. Cindy has served as IWC’s marketing and communications chairwoman since 2020, and been a member since the organization’s inception. She graduated from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.

Silvia Vanessa Rogel

BOARD MEMBER
Director of Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs,
The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning

Silvia Vanessa Rogel has been advocating for and advancing educational, racial, social and economic equity throughout her personal and professional life. A native of El Salvador who grew up in northwest Chicago, Silvia received a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University’s School of Public Service, College of Liberal Arts and Social Science. She excels in strategic planning and program management, and directs strategic partnerships and external affairs for The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning. The educational resource company administers professional, educational and technology programs for educational professionals serving distressed and at-risk populations. She also serves on the Illinois State Education Equity Committee and its Elevating Educators subcommittee, on the Board of Directors for United Palatine Coalition, and is a member of LULAC and Cannabis Equity Coalition Illinois. As IWC’s 2021 Professional Development Committee Chairwoman, she directed the creation of IWC’s Mentorship Program, and managed the inaugural cohort of mentees and mentors.

Dina Rollman

CO-FOUNDER

Dina Rollman is the co-founder of Illinois Women in Cannabis. She is also senior vice president for Government and Regulatory Affairs at Green Thumb Industries, a Chicago-based multi-state operator of licensed marijuana cultivation facilities and dispensaries. Dina earned a B.A. from Oberlin College and a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law. She is passionate about helping women succeed in the cannabis industry and helping the industry enjoy continued success as it grows.

 
 

Wendy Berger

CO-FOUNDER

Wendy is CEO and Founder of WBS Equities, LLC, a company she founded in 2004. Wendy has over 30 years of experience in real estate brokerage, real estate finance, and structuring complex real estate transactions. Wendy serves on the Board of Directors of Green Thumb Industries, Inc. (GTI) (CSE: GTII) (OTC: GTBIF). Green Thumb is a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, is dedicated to providing dignified access to cannabis while giving back to the communities in which they serve. Wendy also serves on the Board of directors of the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Chicago and the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Chicago Public Library Foundation Board. Wendy is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and served as the chair of the Real Estate Membership Committee. In 2014, Wendy co-founded Illinois Women in Cannabis (IWC). In 2021 Wendy joined the Board of Directors of The Secure Community Network, the official safety and security network of the Jewish Community in North America. Wendy is an avid Triathlete, having completed 39 Olympic distance triathlons and 13 half marathons. Wendy actively mentor’s young women, helping to guide them through the challenges of leadership and development. Wendy is a frequent speaker on Cannabis related real estate, industrial real estate, and the Cannabis industry, and on Women’s leadership roles.