Lunch 'n Learn Webinar
Wednesday, July 26 - 12:00pm-1:00pm
The State of the Cannabis Roll-Out in 2023—What's Next?
A Panel Discussion
This has been a roller-coaster of a year, as anticipated deadlines have passed and the smooth roll out of retail stores, harvest and delivery have not materialized. Many colleges prepared for the new cannabis business sector by creating innovative degrees and minors and New York State DOL gave out grants to prepare the workforce.
Over the past year CUNY’s Lehman College and Borough of Manhattan Community College and Cornell University have been on the front line and will share their experiences and their predictions for the new academic year. We share a common goal: a smoothly operating industry with growers and retailers in sync, and the skilled workforce to support that industry. Higher education is uniquely poised to create a solid foundation, with the flexibility to respond to emerging needs.
Panelists:
Martha McDermott; Case Manager, Lehman College Cannabis Workforce and Business Development Program - Panel Facilitator
Martha’s role as Case Manager with the Lehman College SPCS Cannabis Workforce and Business Development Program is to bring resources and business support to cannabis entrepreneurs, with special focus on social equity and CAURD license holder start-ups. She began her career in cannabis in 2015 as the Director of Patient Relations and Community Outreach with a NYS licensed medical cannabis provider, serving in an integral role from pre-license planning phases, through to its evolution as a fully operational, vertically integrated cannabis company.
David Serrano, CWI Project Manager; Workforce Development Institute NY
David Serrano joined WDI in 2022 as the Cannabis Workforce Initiative (CWI) Project Manager. David is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and brings over a decade of knowledge and experience in the cannabis industry. David has worked as a consultant focused on the development of the cannabis industry, which included conducting research, developing a broad network of partners from across the industry, and participating in a range of engagements. As WDI’s CWI Project Manager, David provides leadership, education, and impactful strategies to assist communities most harmed by the prohibition of cannabis.
Jane MacKillop, Dean, School of Continuing and Professional Studies; Lehman College
Dr. Jane MacKillop has worked in adult education programs in the UK and the US for over thirty years. In New York she has served at several CUNY and SUNY colleges and became dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at Lehman College, CUNY, in 2016. Author of several books and articles on continuing education and workforce development, she has a BA in English Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from the University of Sheffield, UK. She served as president of CEANY from 2019-2021.
Samira Bahrami, Director, CUNY on the Concourse; Lehman College
Mrs. Bahrami is a dedicated leader with over 20 years of management experience within higher education and private industry organizations. Experienced in facilities operations, budget and resource management, program development and implementation. She is committed to collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders including department leadership, federal and state government agencies, nonprofit and private organizations. Mrs. Bahrami holds a master's degree in architecture and urban Planning.
Donna McLean-Grant, Ed.D, Director of Special Programs and Initiatives, CUNY BMCC Center of Continuing Education & Workforce Development
Donna is an accomplished Educational Administrator with over 20 yrs. experience in Higher Education Administration with a focus in workforce development, strategic planning, adult learning principles, experiential learning, e-blended learning, and program evaluation. Donna has extensive experience with the design, delivery, and oversight of multi-million dollar Federal and State training grants and sector-based career pathway programs working with both the traditional and non-traditional adult learner population to develop a skilled population for efficient human capital in the workforce, talent pipelines to meet the demands of industry and the promotion of economic development.
Floyd Jarvis, Program Director, CUNY BMCC Cannabis Workforce Development Training Program
Floyd Jarvis is a former Bard Prison Initiative Public Health Fellow, founder of Ganja War Veterans for Equity and the Program Director of the CUNY BMCC Cannabis Workforce Development Training Program.
Powerpoint Presenation
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