Corporate Information

Ian is a highly motivated, ethical entrepreneur experienced in early stage high growth companies, fundraising and strategic planning.

Ian brings an intimate understanding of the current opportunities and challenges in the emerging global hemp industry in addition to a portfolio of intellectual property, partnerships and assets. Ian has consulted and worked in five states and three countries and has played a pivotal role in the development of a portfolio of products, processing methods and intellectual property in the space.

Ian has overseen the launch of HempFusion the first mainstream hemp based supplements to gain traction in the natural products category. He has raised seed and growth stage capital and participated in the development of complex and highly regulated supply chains. In addition to the supplement and practitioner products focus he has successfully negotiated licensing contracts and partnerships with distributors and manufactures and operates with a familiarity with what is required to successfully expand in highly regulated markets domestically and internationally.

Developed significant retailer relationships while at Barlean’s, one of the most successful supplement brands in America. Ms. Lessard was responsible for overseeing the strategic entry of Barlean’s, a company with over 100+ total SKU’s, into the CBD category. Ms. Lessard is the President of the US Hemp Roundtable representingHempFusion. 25+ years experience branding products to drive sales and build long-term brand loyalty.

25+ years experience driving CPG sales in major retail channels (Big Box + Convenience + Club). Directed a national sales team for AbbottLaboratories. Jon is an expert in introducing new innovative products into traditional sales channels. Mr. Visser has the track record, network and product knowledge to significantly expand HempFusion’s distribution.

Rick is an experienced director of private and public companies in the US and in Europe. He has been a private equity investor for over 20 years, as President of Andlinger & Company, Inc., and is also an active angel investor/advisor. He has been an international investment banker, a start up CEO and a college professor, and has taken companies public as an advisor, an investor and an executive.

David Doherty was an initial financier and former director of Organigram Holdings Ltd. (OGI), Emblem Corp. (EMC) and The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings (TGOD). Additionally, Mr. Doherty was instrumental in the PLUS Products (CSE:PLUS) IPO. He advises early-stage companies, provides seed capital, and has significant cannabis and hemp industry expertise. Mr. Doherty brings 22 years of experience in investment, structure, and finance and has spent over 11 years working for a leading independent Canadian brokerage firm. Mr. Doherty has a degree from Simon Fraser University, with a minor in Economics and Psychology.

Scott Greenburg is an industry friend and senior partner with the international law firm K&L Gates. His food and natural industry clients have included Starbucks, Sambazon, Sahale Snacks, Theo Chocolates, Guayaki Yerba Mate, Big Tree Farms, GreenAcres Markets, and Sur La Table.

Scott has been named one of the “Lawdragon 500″ Best Lawyers in America by Lawdragon Magazine.

He also is named for inclusion as a Best Lawyer in “Best Lawyers in America®”; one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers–Corporate/M&A” by Chambers USA; a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics; and a member of the “League of Justice” by Washington CEO Magazine.

Mr. Fox has extensive legal experience stemming from his 20-year career specializing in securities law and merchant banking. Mr. Fox founded and was the President of Lytton Capital Inc., a limited market dealer. Additionally, he co-founded and was Co-CEO of White Cedar Pharmacy, one of the largest prescribing pharmacy businesses in Ontario. Before its acquisition by Aleafia Health in 2019, Mr. Fox was a co-founder and CEO of Emblem Corp., a leading licensed cannabis producer. He was instrumental in the acquisition of GrowWise Health, one of the largest medicinal cannabis prescribing clinic networks in Canada, which vastly contributed to the company’s success and ultimate acquisition.

Desmond is one of the top lawyers in Canada practicing in Corporate Finance, Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions, Lending, Private Equity, and Gaming and Entertainment for McMillan LLP, where he has been a partner since 2004. Desmond is a co-chair of McMillan’s cannabis practice. He has been lead counsel on over $500,000,000 in financing transactions, and mergers and acquisitions aggregating over $4.3 billion. Mr. Balakrishnan’s experience includes lead counsel for Aurora (TSX:ACB) in a multitude of acquisitions, including the most notable, MedReleaf, for $3.2 billion, and CanniMed Therapeutics for $1.1 billion. He also serves as a director, officer, or general counsel of several resource, finance and gaming firms, including Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX:NDM, NYSE:NAK) and Great Canadian Gaming (TSX:GC). Mr. Balakrishnan was counsel for TSX and NASDAQ listed Organigram (TSX:OGI). He holds a CLA and BA from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Laws (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta.