Opening Doors for Women in Cannabis
Salal Credit Union’s Business Services team welcomes all participants in the cannabis industry, with a particular focus on opening doors for underserved communities. Just this week, our Business Banking Officers Jessica Dues and Alicia Gyurica attended the Women in Cannabis Expo.
This year’s Expo took place in Reno on August 14 and 15. The topics of discussion centered on breaking stigmas, clearing the way for networking, empowerment, and business growth for women in the cannabis realm. Numerous studies over the past several years have found that the number of women working in cannabis, both at the executive level and in all job categories, has remained under 40% of all those employed in cannabis. To boost those numbers, Women in Cannabis offered workshops, exhibits, and keynote speeches by women who have achieved success in the cannabis industry to demystify this fast-growing sector, while also providing opportunities for one-on-one meetings with fellow Expo attendees.
Why Representation Matters
Both Jessica and Alicia enjoyed this opportunity to support women business owners. “I first learned about the Women in Cannabis Expo through industry partners and clients who spoke highly of the connections and community it fosters,” Jessica said. “As a business officer, I’m always looking for spaces where I can build meaningful relationships and support trailblazers in emerging industries.”
Meanwhile, Alicia became associated with the Women in Cannabis network through another Salal Banking Officer, Christa Kemp. “Over time, I saw how essential community, education, and advocacy are in helping women succeed in this highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry,” Alicia said. “When I learned about the Women in Cannabis Expo, it felt like a natural fit, a space where I could both support and better understand the challenges and goals of women entrepreneurs in cannabis.”
Christa herself came to Women in Cannabis through a series of introductions, first to the Executive Director of the Women’s Cannabis Chamber of Commerce (WCCC), Addison Morris, in July 2023. “Addison is a true powerhouse and a force of nature,” Christa said, “an unwavering advocate for women-owned businesses and a passionate supporter of those working in the cannabis industry, which continues to face marginalization and underrepresentation.”
Through Addison and the WCCC, Christa has met inspiring women from around the world. “One of those connections is Mary Jane Oatman of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), whose advocacy and leadership continue to elevate important conversations around equity, representation, and sovereignty within the cannabis space,” Christa said. “I’ve also been fortunate to connect with Australian consultant and author Melanie Wentzel, and was honored to be featured in her latest book, Cannabis Queens, alongside an incredible group of women making strides in the industry globally.”
It is precisely these kinds of connections that the Expo’s mission, “Connecting, Inspiring, and Empowering Women Working in Cannabis,” aims to facilitate. “It’s incredibly valuable for me to be in that room, not just as a resource, but as a partner who’s invested in their success,” Alicia said. “The Expo also creates visibility for women-led brands and helps forge new partnerships that drive the industry forward.”
Jessica looks forward to the multiplier effect of meeting with so many inspirational women in one place. “The Expo created a safe, empowering environment to share knowledge, get inspired by speakers, and spark collaborations,” she said. “For me, it was an invaluable opportunity to understand how I can better support women founders, advocates, and operators who are shaping the future of cannabis.”
Listening, Learning, and Building Trust
“My top priority was to listen and learn while also sharing banking solutions that can help cannabis businesses grow sustainably and navigate an industry that’s still evolving quickly,” Jessica added. “Most importantly, I wanted to build trust and partnerships that last beyond the event.”
Alicia shared that her goal during the Expo was to “understand the pain points that business owners are facing, especially when it comes to banking access, capital needs, and scaling sustainably.” She also shared insights on how cannabis businesses can strengthen their financial infrastructure and prepare for long-term growth.
Our business services team understands that each state and region is unique, which is why they enjoy participating in regional events. “If you see us at an event, we love to hear about your particular experiences. Don’t be afraid to talk about what you need, whether that’s banking support, lending needs, or mentorship,” Alicia said. “The more open the conversations, the more value we can all get from them.”
Most of all, it’s vital to dream big. “I encourage everyone to think beyond their immediate goals and consider the long-term vision for their businesses,” Alicia said. “Conferences like the Women in Cannabis expo are the perfect place to connect with the right people and start planning for that future.”
Beyond the Expo: Salal’s Broader Commitment
We hope to see you at an event in the future, but if it doesn’t fit into your plans, be assured that there will be other opportunities to connect. “My primary focus is on supporting women in cannabis,” Alicia said. “This industry has unique challenges, and I believe it’s critical to be intentional with my time and resources to make the biggest impact. Through platforms like the Women in Cannabis Expo, I’m committed to helping women entrepreneurs access the financial tools, education, and relationships they need to grow and thrive.”
Beyond our outreach to women in cannabis, Salal aims to reduce barriers for the full breadth of our communities. “I’m deeply committed to supporting underserved communities, including Tribes, BIPOC-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses, by helping them navigate the complex world of finance and beyond,” said Christa, whose focus at Salal is on serving our Tribal members. “My goal is to create equitable opportunities, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster sustainable growth. Most importantly, I want to ensure that underrepresented people have a seat at the table, especially those who have been unfairly treated and belong to historically marginalized communities.”
One of the most meaningful initiatives Christa has participated in is helping to form the Indigenous Women’s Cannabis Chamber of Commerce (IWCCC), a subchapter of the WCCC. “It’s been an incredible honor to collaborate with such inspiring individuals who are dedicated to empowering Indigenous women in the cannabis industry through advocacy, community, and resources,” said Christa.
But that’s not all the good news that Christa has to convey. “Through my connection with Mary Jane Oatman and the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), I was introduced to Mike Lomuto of the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA),” Christa said. “I’m proud to share that Salal Credit Union now sponsors the MCBA and hosted their upcoming workshop at our beautiful Seattle Headquarters on August 2.”
Salal’s participation in these associations and events is all part of our ever-broadening focus on the full diversity of the cannabis community. “I’m also focused on supporting minority-owned cannabis businesses, LGBTQIA+ operators, and legacy entrepreneurs who have long been part of this industry but are often left out of the conversation when it comes to funding and resources,” Jessica said. “I believe equitable access to banking and financial guidance can be a real game-changer for these communities.”
Let’s Connect
Did you attend the Women in Cannabis Expo or plan on attending another upcoming cannabis conference? Please reach out to your Account Officer or contact Business Services at 206.298.9398 or BusinessServices@SalalCU.org, so we can schedule a meeting with you.
