Canopy Growth has a new VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The company is taking a leading role at bringing more diversity to the cannabis space

Although it took a string of embarrassing incidents to bring social equity to the forefront, it is here now and has become a focal point for many businesses. Canopy Growth has always dedicated itself to diversity and inclusion, but is now increasing its efforts. Sumayyah Emeh-Edu, the former Director of Diversity and Inclusion Strategy at Charles Schwab, has been tapped to be Canopy Growth’s new VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Emeh-Edu will be in charge of raising awareness about diversity and inclusion across all of Canopy Growth’s businesses and regions. She will also be responsible for creating the necessary programs and efforts to continue the company’s social equity initiatives. Explains Canopy Growth CEO David Klein, “We are incredibly excited to welcome Sumayyah to Canopy Growth. We sought a true collaborator and leader to further actualize Canopy’s commitment to inclusion within the cannabis industry and equitable access to the benefits of legalization. Achieving progress towards diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives will be a journey that requires the contributions of all Canopy employees and hiring Sumayyah is a critical step in that journey.”

While she was with Charles Schwab, Emeh-Edu was responsible for developing accessibility resources across all of the company’s operations. She also developed new inclusion content and curriculum, while supporting the company’s diversity and inclusion plans. Before her two-and-a-half-year stint with Charles Schwab, she was the D&I (diversity and inclusion) strategist for Embedded Consulting, partnering with companies such as Oracle, One Medical, NPR station KQED and Blue Shield of California.

Asserts Emeh-Edu, “I am inspired and excited to be leading Canopy’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion and embrace this as an opportunity to enable people from traditionally marginalized groups to not only participate but benefit from an industry where criminalization has historically negatively impacted them. I see the power of cannabis in improving people’s quality of life and am eager to work with the leadership and workforce of Canopy to co-create an environment capable of addressing complex issues while cultivating spaces and tools that instill diversity and inclusion into every facet of our industry.”