{"id":34,"date":"2026-03-05T01:33:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T01:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dazzling-mestorf.70-32-80-41.plesk.page\/index.php\/leadership\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T13:01:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T13:01:05","slug":"leadership","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/index.php\/leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"34\" class=\"elementor elementor-34\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c300 e-con-full lca-editorial lca-section lca-masthead e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91c300\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c200 e-con-full lca-inner e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91c200\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c100 e-con-full lca-page-hero e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91c100\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c000 e-con-full lca-page-intro e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91c000\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91bd00 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91bd00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTHE PEOPLE BEHIND THE ALLIANCE\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91be00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91be00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Leadership<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91bf00 lca-deck elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91bf00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Latino Cannabis Alliance (LCA) is led by a multidisciplinary executive board with deep expertise across cannabis policy, law, research, business, advocacy, communications, and community engagement.<\/p><p>Our leadership reflects a shared commitment to equity, accountability, and strategic execution\u2014bridging policy reform, economic opportunity, and community impact across Latino communities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91fa00 e-con-full lca-editorial lca-section  e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91fa00\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f900 e-con-full lca-inner e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91f900\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c400 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91c400\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEXECUTIVE BOARD\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c500 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91c500\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meet our leaders<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c600 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91c600\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Our leadership is committed to advocating for equitable cannabis policies that uplift our communities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f800 e-con-full lca-leaders e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91f800\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91cd00 e-con-full lca-leader e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91cd00\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c700 lca-portrait elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a91c700\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2025-Headshot-Standing-FINAL-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-288\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2025-Headshot-Standing-FINAL-scaled.jpg 1707w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2025-Headshot-Standing-FINAL-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2025-Headshot-Standing-FINAL-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2025-Headshot-Standing-FINAL-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2025-Headshot-Standing-FINAL-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2025-Headshot-Standing-FINAL-1365x2048.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91cc00 e-con-full lca-leader-bio e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91cc00\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c800 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91c800\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPresident\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c900 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91c900\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Jessica F. Gonz\u00e1lez, Esq.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91ca00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91ca00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJessica F. Gonz\u00e1lez is a nationally recognized cannabis and trademark attorney who helped draft New Jersey\u2019s legalization framework and has advised governments across the Americas on equitable regulatory design. Through law, policy, and education, she advances inclusive cannabis markets rooted in justice and access.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91cb00 lca-text-link elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a91cb00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jessicagonzalez613\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Connect on LinkedIn \u2197<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d400 e-con-full lca-leader e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91d400\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91ce00 lca-portrait elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a91ce00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"738\" height=\"983\" src=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_1475-e1774478273567.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-292\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_1475-e1774478273567.jpeg 738w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_1475-e1774478273567-225x300.jpeg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 738px) 100vw, 738px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d300 e-con-full lca-leader-bio e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91d300\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91cf00 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91cf00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVice President\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d000 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91d000\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Jason Ortiz<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d100 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91d100\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJason Ortiz is Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Last Prisoner Project and a national leader in cannabis justice reform. He co-founded the Minority Cannabis Business Association and helped shape Connecticut\u2019s cannabis equity framework, focusing on federal legalization and restorative justice.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d200 lca-text-link elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a91d200\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jason-ortiz-a5672a236\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Connect on LinkedIn \u2197<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91db00 e-con-full lca-leader e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91db00\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d500 lca-portrait elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a91d500\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1983\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jazmin-Headshot-2-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-293\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jazmin-Headshot-2-scaled.jpg 1983w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jazmin-Headshot-2-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jazmin-Headshot-2-793x1024.jpg 793w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jazmin-Headshot-2-768x991.jpg 768w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jazmin-Headshot-2-1190x1536.jpg 1190w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jazmin-Headshot-2-1587x2048.jpg 1587w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1983px) 100vw, 1983px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91da00 e-con-full lca-leader-bio e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91da00\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d600 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91d600\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTreasurer\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d700 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91d700\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ruth Jazmin Aguiar<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d800 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91d800\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRuth Jazmin Aguiar is a public policy strategist specializing in cannabis regulation, economic development, and social equity implementation. She advises the Los Angeles City Council on emerging markets and leads Creatrix Management Group, guiding governments and organizations on compliance and sustainable growth.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91d900 lca-text-link elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a91d900\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ruthjazminaguiar\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Connect on LinkedIn \u2197<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e200 e-con-full lca-leader e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91e200\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91dc00 lca-portrait elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a91dc00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1062\" height=\"1263\" src=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Perez_Maritza-scaled-e1773625668631.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-297\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Perez_Maritza-scaled-e1773625668631.jpeg 1062w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Perez_Maritza-scaled-e1773625668631-252x300.jpeg 252w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Perez_Maritza-scaled-e1773625668631-861x1024.jpeg 861w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Perez_Maritza-scaled-e1773625668631-768x913.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1062px) 100vw, 1062px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e100 e-con-full lca-leader-bio e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91e100\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91dd00 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91dd00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirector of Policy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91de00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91de00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Maritza Perez Medina<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91df00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91df00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMaritza Perez Medina is Director of Federal Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, where she leads federal legislative strategy to end the drug war. A criminal legal reform attorney, she brings national expertise in cannabis policy, sentencing reform, and civil rights advocacy.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e000 lca-text-link elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a91e000\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/maritza-perez-medina-esq-364b4869\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Connect on LinkedIn \u2197<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e900 e-con-full lca-leader e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91e900\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e300 lca-portrait elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a91e300\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1018\" height=\"679\" src=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/JM-Balbuena-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-295\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/JM-Balbuena-2.jpg 1018w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/JM-Balbuena-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/JM-Balbuena-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1018px) 100vw, 1018px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e800 e-con-full lca-leader-bio e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91e800\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e400 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91e400\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirector of Community Engagement\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e500 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91e500\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">JM Balbuena<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e600 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91e600\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>JM Balbuena is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and cannabis policy advocate focused on storytelling, public education, and equity-centered reform. As Executive Director of the Ryan\u2019s Law Foundation, she advances compassionate access and community-driven advocacy nationwide.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91e700 lca-text-link elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a91e700\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/johannbalbuena\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Connect on LinkedIn \u2197<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f000 e-con-full lca-leader e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91f000\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91ea00 lca-portrait elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a91ea00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1050\" height=\"1524\" src=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fat-nugs-mag-faces-of-cannabis-cali-state-fair-canna-awards-430-1-e1773625696126.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-298\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fat-nugs-mag-faces-of-cannabis-cali-state-fair-canna-awards-430-1-e1773625696126.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fat-nugs-mag-faces-of-cannabis-cali-state-fair-canna-awards-430-1-e1773625696126-207x300.jpg 207w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fat-nugs-mag-faces-of-cannabis-cali-state-fair-canna-awards-430-1-e1773625696126-706x1024.jpg 706w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fat-nugs-mag-faces-of-cannabis-cali-state-fair-canna-awards-430-1-e1773625696126-768x1115.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91ef00 e-con-full lca-leader-bio e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91ef00\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91eb00 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91eb00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirector of Research &#038; Education\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91ec00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91ec00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ishaq Ali<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91ed00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91ed00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ishaq Ali is a cannabis industry strategist and research specialist focused on market development, regulatory evolution, and social impact. He serves as a Research Analyst at UC Berkeley\u2019s Cannabis Research Center and supports equity-driven industry growth.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91ee00 lca-text-link elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a91ee00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ishaq-ali-3b0400107\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Connect on LinkedIn \u2197<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f700 e-con-full lca-leader e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91f700\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f100 lca-portrait elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a91f100\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"916\" src=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GC-_-Headshot.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-291\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GC-_-Headshot.png 1170w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GC-_-Headshot-300x235.png 300w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GC-_-Headshot-1024x802.png 1024w, https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GC-_-Headshot-768x601.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f600 e-con-full lca-leader-bio e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91f600\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f200 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91f200\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirector  of Communications\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f300 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91f300\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Gaby Collantes<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f400 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91f400\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaby Collantes is Director of Client Strategy at Gold Standard, a leading Northeast cannabis marketing agency, and founder of Cannsulting Agency &#8211; a marketing agency supporting brands and operators in Puerto Rico. She brings cross-market experience in emerging and established regulated markets, focusing on bilingual communications, access expansion, and strengthening Latino representation in the industry.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91f500 lca-text-link elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a91f500\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/gaby-collantes-5276bb107\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Connect on LinkedIn \u2197<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a920000 e-con-full lca-editorial lca-section lca-contact e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a920000\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91ff00 e-con-full lca-inner e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a91ff00\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91fb00 lca-kicker elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91fb00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCONNECT WITH THE ALLIANCE\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91fc00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a91fc00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Leadership through collaboration<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91fd00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91fd00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConnect with the Alliance to explore partnerships and shared work.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91fe00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a91fe00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/index.php\/engage-with-us\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get in touch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE ALLIANCE Leadership The Latino Cannabis Alliance (LCA) is led by a multidisciplinary executive board with deep expertise across cannabis policy, law, research, business, advocacy, communications, and community engagement. Our leadership reflects a shared commitment to equity, accountability, and strategic execution\u2014bridging policy reform, economic opportunity, and community impact across Latino communities. EXECUTIVE [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-34","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Leadership - Latino Cannabis Alliance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/latinocannabisalliance.org\/index.php\/leadership\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Leadership - Latino Cannabis Alliance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE ALLIANCE Leadership The Latino Cannabis Alliance (LCA) is led by a multidisciplinary executive board with deep expertise across cannabis policy, law, research, business, advocacy, communications, and community engagement. Our leadership reflects a shared commitment to equity, accountability, and strategic execution\u2014bridging policy reform, economic opportunity, and community impact across Latino communities. 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