Meet the Team Behind the Group
Our team has a wide range of relevant experience across a multitude of industries
Ali Esmaili
CEO & Co-Founder
- Visionary CEO & CFO, leading the company’s growth from a startup to a $100M+ global brand.
- Passionate Innovator, dedicated to developing premium wellness products that make a difference.
- People-Centered Leader, peoplefocused leader committed to cultivating collaboration, growth, and collective success by surrounding himself with top talent.
Jameson Rodgers
Co-Founder
- Seasoned Entrepreneur with a proven ability to scale businesses and drive sustained growth.
- Architect of Market Expansion, spearheading e-commerce and retail strategies that fuel exponential revenue increases.
- Innovation-Driven Leader, committed to brand development, strategic differentiation, and cultivating highperforming teams.
Dan Prasad
COO
- Scaled companies from startup to over $100M in annual revenue through organic growth and strategic expansions
- Led operational restructuring and team expansions spearheading national and international market expansions (UK, Mexico, Japan and UAE)
- Managed PE relationships and exit strategies, positioning for lucrative valuations and completing multiple successful exits.
Patricia Edgell
CFO
- Experienced Financial Leader with expertise in financial strategy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Proven Track Record in overseeing financial operations for global brands and driving business growth.
- Collaborative & Strategic Thinker focused on building strong teams and optimizing financial performance
Sam Fathifard
VP Supply Chain
- Experienced supply chain leader with expertise in procurement, logistics, and inventory management
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, specializing in lean manufacturing, cost reduction, and process optimization.
- Skilled team builder, streamlining operations to drive efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement.
Amir Nezhad
VP of Sales
- 23 Years of Professional Experience – Proven track record across pharmaceutical, consumer packaged goods, and cannabis industries.
- Serial Entrepreneur – Successfully built and scaled businesses across multiple sectors.
- Revenue Growth Leader – Directly responsible for growing to nine-figure USD revenue in less than 3 years.
- High-Performing Teams – Built and led top-tier sales, business development, and product development teams.
DeEtte Christie
VP of Marketing
- Seasoned Marketing Leader with 30+ years of experience in brand activation, growth strategy, and digital marketing.
- Expert in Integrated Campaigns, driving customer acquisition, engagement, and retention for Fortune 500 companies.
- Proven Track Record of leading high-impact marketing initiatives that elevate brand positioning and market presence.
Amir Tehrani
Creative Director
- Creative Director & Brand Strategist with expertise in visual design, creative strategy, and product branding.
- Led the development of 3,000+ products across multiple brands, ensuring cohesive brand identity and market impact.
- Passionate about innovation and storytelling, crafting compelling brand experiences that resonate with consumers.
Ben Withinshaw
Director UK & EU
- FCA Chartered Accountant – Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) since 2007, gained fellowship in 2017.
- Worked 5 years in practice with PwC.
- Industry Leadership – 10 years as a Finance Director before founding Surrey Hills Accountancy in 2019
David VanSambeen, Esq.
General Counsel & Head of Compliance
- 10 years law firm experience as outside retained counsel and 8 years in-house counsel experience for business in highly regulated industries, including supplements, nicotine vape, hemp and cannabis.
- Regulatory experience with the SEC, FDA, FTC, 26 State AG Offices, and the DOJ.
- Currently sitting on BOD for the US Hemp Roundtable.