The mission of ICBWA is to help women unleash their power and potential as business owners in the cannabis industry. We will stand as a premier resource in their ventures as business owners and help catapult them in the emerging cannabis market.
Our vision is to ensure that all women have the opportunity to hold a valuable, equitable and powerful position in the cannabis space. At ICBWA we envision a more diverse and inclusive industry with women from all backgrounds at the forefront of growth and innovation.
International Cannabis Business Women’s Association ICBWA is a 501(c)3 not for profit business.
The mission of ICBWA is to help women unleash their power and potential as business owners in the cannabis industry. We will stand as a premier resource in their ventures as business owners and help catapult them in the emerging cannabis market.
Our vision is to ensure that all women have the opportunity to hold a valuable, equitable and powerful position in the cannabis space. At ICBWA we envision a more diverse and inclusive industry with women from all backgrounds at the forefront of growth and innovation.
International Cannabis Consulting Business Women’s Association ICBWA is a 501(c)3 not for profit business.
Sophia Felix
President
Sophia Felix, Founder and CEO of HBM Talent & Management and Public Relations for Y+M CBD, is a multi-dimensional professional with substantial experience in the cannabis industry, non-profit and in talent management. Sophia is an award winning entrepreneur and devout philanthropist. She has made a name for herself as a passionate advocate and educator for the therapeutic uses of CBD in the cannabis industry. Her speciality and passion lies with helping individuals with PTSD and mental health issues.
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She has been honored, awarded and nominated by many distinct organizations including the 2020 ABC 10News Leadership Award, 2018 Latina Corporate Executive of the Year nominee & Honorable mention by Latina Style Magazine, recipient of the 2017 California Hero award presented by Senator Joel Anderson, recipient of a Telly Award, as well as Inspirational Woman of the Year and Rising Star nominations hailing from the National Latina Business Women’s Association of Los Angeles.
Dennise Mejia
Vice President
Dennise Mejia-Guerrero, was born in Bogota Colombia and migrated to the United States at the age of five. Dennise is a self-made serial entrepreneur and owner of various companies. In 2003, Dennise became the Founding CEO of California Physician Network LLC. Providing currently multiple professional services, Consulting, Medical Billing, Non-emergency transportation and worker’s compensation lien litigation services to medical providers and in 2014, Founder- CEO of Donaly Express Inc. A local trucking freight service company that catered in Southern California. Co-Founder Vice President of ICBWA International Cannabis Consulting Business Women’s Association.
In 2012, during her personal health journey, she became an executive distributor and health and wellness coach with the Yoli Better Body System—a wellness program for all ages.
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Dennise is a dedicated civic leader in her local community and was appointed as a State Delegate for the Democratic State Committee where she served as part of the Electoral College. She is a past founder of the Chicano Latino Immigrant Democratic Club of Los Angeles County. She is a member of Kiwanis International and Past Vice President of the National Latina Business Women’s Association – Los Angeles. Co- Founder and Vice President of ICBWA International Cannabis Consulting Business Women’s Association and Board Member with the multiple Chambers of commerce Such as the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Panorama City and Granada Hills chambers of Commerce and Founding Board member of HCSB Hispanic Coalition Small Businesses.
Nominated in 2019 By LA Style Magazine Entrepreneur of the year also Nominated in 2020 By the Los Angeles Business Journal as Entrepreneur of the year and nominated in 2021 by the Los Angeles Business Journal for Diversity and Inclusion award. Recently Nominated for 2024 Advisor Council Co-Chair with Biz-Fed LA County.
Recognitions: by Mayor Eric Garcetti, Senator Jimmy Gomez, Senator Steven Bradford, Senator Susan Rubio, Assemblywomen Blanca Rubio, Congresswomen Nannette Barragan. Currently active Advisory Board of Biz Fed LA County, Advisory Board member of Latino Coalition of Los Angeles, Advisory Board AME Alliance of Multicultural Entrepreneur, Officer Role Advisory Council Co-Chair with Biz-Fed La County.
She is an Influencer, Mentor, business consultant and prides herself on developing meaningful working relationships to help build her communities.
She has passion to Mentor and Empower Leadership in her communities in any opportunity with Millennials and future generations to help provide creative spaces in diverse business platforms such as ICBWA.
Relocated to Las Vegas Nevada and currently self-employed as independent Paralegal, Business Consultant and Hispanic Community advocate.
Suzie Ortega
Secretary
Suzie Ortega, owner of Artistic Rejuvenation, is passionate about helping all walks of life to feel rejuvenated and stress-free. With over nine years of experience, her honed skills and unique approach to the human body helps her clients powerfully unwind the tension in their body.
Suzie is a certified Soft Tissue Therapist/ Health Educator in beautiful Los Angeles, California since 2011. She is trained in various modalities of Soft Tissue Manipulation, including Myofascial Release, Trigger Point, Prenatal, Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST Level 2), and Percussion Therapy. Along with these modalities, she can deliver a well balanced relaxation massage as well.
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Artistic Rejuvenation, a door to door Soft Tissue therapy business, was started in 2018 with the goal of educating clients on how to be more aware of self care. With now expanding her business with Fascial Stretch Therapy and CBD Treatments, it has given Artistic Rejuvenation the opportunity to work with clients as young as four years old and with physical disabilities. Suzie is a former member of the National Latina Business Women’s Association – Los Angeles Chapter. Artistic Rejuvenation has also been nominated for San Fernando’s Best Small Business 2018, presented by the San Fernando City Chamber of Commerce.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rebeca Herrera-Gonzalez
Board Member
Rebeca Herrera-Gonzalez began her career in the cannabis industry as co-founder of Everday hemp-derived CBD brand based in Los Angeles, CA. Rebeca holds a B.A. in Political Science, a B.A. in Peace Studies and a minor in Women’s Studies from Chapman University. She was born and raised in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Rebeca worked in public diplomacy for the Government of Mexico in the United States. She served at the Trade and NAFTA Office in the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C. during a critical time for the U.S.-Mexico relationship: NAFTA’s renegotiation. She also worked for the office of the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy, where she managed travel logistics of Mexico’s Cabinet officials and diplomatic clearance for state aircraft in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State.
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Before that, Rebeca served as the Executive Assistant to the Consul General at the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, where she provided administrative support and served as liaison with the Committee of Students and Young Entrepreneurs(CEJE) as part of the Government of Mexico’s initiative Mexico Innova. She also worked in the Consulate’s Department of Political Affairs, where she helped lead the development of political strategies to promote bilateral cooperation with local governments and political organizations.
Bernard Rivera
Board Member
Bernard Rivera began his online marketing career in 1999 and has a passion for building companies and relationships. Having live and worked in the USA, Colombia, and the Philippines, Bernard’s proficiency lies in international online marketing and communications. On the corporate side, he has contributed to the success of companies by creating a culture that fosters teamwork between sales, support and technology departments. His resume of cannabis advocacy began with helping pass California Proposition 215 – the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 – and continues to this day by supporting sensible policies across the country. His extensive experience in website design and marketing is an asset to ICBWA.
Crystal Wampler
Board Member
A Holistic Advisor to Small Business Owners, High-Net-Worth Individuals, and Startups with a Specialty in Customer Relationship Management, Business Development, and Cryptocurrency | CEO of CANETHICS | Connector
About
CRYSTAL WAMPLER is a research-driven business builder with insurance planning, operations, strategy, business development, marketing, and customer relationship management expertise. As CEO of CANETHICS, a financial solutions advisory group, she provides a holistic concierge service for small businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and startups both in and external to the cannabis industry, which combines financial and tax planning, and includes cryptocurrency strategies.
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Additionally, Crystal is a strategic partner of BTA ADVISORS, a financial planning firm, and a member of the prestigious Virtual Family Office (VFO) Hub Due Diligence Project. She also serves on the board of a board within Vistage Worldwide, Inc. in Orange County, California.
Crystal has been instrumental in driving bottom-line growth throughout her career, which encompasses executive roles in nonprofit and for-profit companies and startups. Having been mentored by top financial advisors in the wealth sector, she understands how to grow a sustainable and profitable business through comprehensive, individualized tax planning. Crystal extends her value as a connector, expanding her robust, global network of service providers and industry leaders and brokering relationships that accelerate business growth.
BUSINESS APPROACH Crystal is a big-picture thinker who unburdens organizations by helping them establish a solid financial infrastructure and providing a framework for compliance as they navigate the complex, ever-changing tax laws. Her consultative process addresses the critical challenges businesses face in high-leverage transactions, including M&A, exit planning, and capital gains tax mitigation. An entrepreneur who has launched multiple companies, Crystal brings proven success in designing solutions that minimize risk and drive sustainable bottom-line growth.
CORE VALUES
As someone who lives and leads by example, Crystal holds herself to the highest honesty, integrity, and accountability standards. She believes in the power of authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy in cultivating strong working relationships and successful business partnerships.
CONNECTION PREFERENCES Crystal is interested in connecting with CPAs, tax/estate planning attorneys, investment bankers, insurance agents, and general contractors and executives in the cannabis, construction and cryptocurrency industries.
Magaly Espada
Board Member
Magaly ‘Maggi’ Espada has more than 25 years, experience in fitness, wellness, sales, marketing, photography, and employee development. Founder of Onelia Magazine, a magazine that celebrates beautiful cultures and artists.
Attended Lesley University and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts. She is a certified master fitness trainer, exercise therapist and holds a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Maggi received first place from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and additional community service recognition awards from the City of LA for her contributions.
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While on the board of the Reseda Neighborhood Council as Chair of Health and Wellness, she created several educational formats for the community, Reseda Fit, The Good Herb, and Cannabis Life.
She has worked for Essences Magazine, Stuff Magazine, John Casablanca Modeling Agency, Aveda Corporation, and Apollo Theater in NYC.
Maggi is a strong supporter and dedicated advocate for important women issues and causes such as victims of abuse, education, women’s businesses, fitness and wellness, breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, community involvement, and voting. She is in Connecticut and is a great advocate for the education of the therapeutic uses of cannabis on the East Coast with ICBWA.
ADVISORY BOARD
Diana Jurado
Advisory Board Member
Diana Jurado is Representative for The Colombian Cannabis and Hemp Federation (Federación Colombiana de Cannabis y Cañamo FCCC). Diana was born in Medellin, Colombia. She arrived in the US eleven years ago along with her family. As a certified reflexologist, she is highly committed to serving different communities. She is also a Medical Assistant from the Outreach program at Rhode Island College. She is certified as a trainer by the Living Well Rhode Island Initiative, which is committed to educating the community in chronic illness management. Convinced of the relevance women have today, Diana co-founded The Colombian Cannabis and Hemp Federation (Federación Colombiana de Cannabis y Cañam), an organization that represents hemp and cannabis farmers and producers. The FCCC promotes and impacts public policy, sustainability initiatives, employment creation, and land administration for cannabis and hemp agriculture.
Carol Ortega
Advisory Board Member
Carol Ortega, Founder & CEO of Muisca Capital Group, the first Latino investment management firm strategically focused on the emerging legal industry of medicinal cannabis. Carol is the Founder of the first “Shark Tank” type platform in LATAM called “Latino Investment Summit – Cannabiz HUB / B2B Digital Pitch and Expo” an event that is set to be summit of choice for regional and global sovereign wealth funds, family offices, private and institutional investors and high-level fund managers. Founder of the first Scientific Cannabis Symposium in Spanish in the world “Latino Science Forum – Ciencia Cannabica / B2C Digital Symposium and Expo”. Carol serves on the Colombian government’s cannabis policy making committee which has the ongoing challenge to improve the existing regulation and was instrumental in Colombia’s efforts in developing medicinal cannabis.
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She has co-written the accounting and financial standards for Colombia. In the US Carol has been an active regulator member in Oregon and California, states where Carol’s input has been instrumental in law writing and regulations affairs for cannabis recreational legalization efforts. In terms of venture capital, she has experience as a consultant for fundraising in start-ups and at companies in different stages of growth, winner of several international awards in which she holds first place in the “fast pitch competition”, space generated by the Portland Social Venture Society, in order to mobilize capital towards disruptive ventures with great potential and impact.
Cecilia Mota
Advisory Board Member
Cecilia Mota Entrepreneur Women Empowerista Speaker Producer, Media Coach & Founder @Women in Media Productions Cecilia Mota is an award-winning influential Latina business leader in the women empowerment space and a personal branding expert, who after 20 years of serving in the nonprofit sector advanced her career into Radio, TV Hosting and Production. As a busy single parent of two very smart teenagers, Sylvana & Christian, she divides her time among multiple roles. In 2019, Cecilia was appointed by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Foreign Relations to serve as Special Events Coordinator for the Dominican Republic General Consulate in the West Coast, a role she embraced with great pride.
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As Founder of her own production company, Women in Media Productions, following her radio and TV hosting experience, Cecilia now coaches, mentors & trains entrepreneurs and industry experts who want to launch their own podcast or digital show. Among her recent accomplishments as Executive Producer in partnership with Latina VIDA, the nonprofit she presided, she launched her first podcast project called Career Power Hacks, a career tips mini podcast geared toward the underrepresented Latinx Executives aspiring to reach the C-Suite
Adelia Carrillo
Advisory Board Member
Adelia Carrillo is the CMO of EventHi. Eventhi is an online ticketing platform for cannabis-related events. With Adelia’s professional experience she is set to help bring life to ICBWA’s brand, vision and mission.
Adelia’s first position in the cannabis industry was as CEO of Direct Cannabis Network. DCN was a leading digital B2B news network highlighting the latest tech, entrepreneurs and innovative companies in the cannabis industry.
With her roots in the corporate and consumer electronics industry, her passion for technology, business and marketing has been a key strength in her transition into the cannabis space. Adelia is building an inspiring yet prominent voice in the world on the topic of cannabis and the event industry.
Philip Fusco
Advisory Board Member
Philip Fusco, is a multi-dimensional professional Model, Personal Trainer and Entrepreneur with substantial experience in both the fitness/nutrition and entertainment industry. Philip studied Business and Finance and received his Bachelor’s degree in marketing at State University of New York at Old Westbury.
After quickly rising to make a household name for himself in the modeling industry as one of the top male models in NYC as well as acquiring 1 million followers on Facebook he signed with an international modeling agency. He was booked as the face for several high profile fitness and fashion campaigns including modeling for underwear and swimwear fashion designer Gregg Homme, which immediately made him one of the most sought after Italian-American models in the world.
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Philip has been featured and published on dozens of book and magazine covers and is passionate and very ambitious about promoting health and wellness.
Supporting Partners and Sponsors
