Our Board

Nicole, NYSF President, is a NYer, cultivator, and edibles creator, who became involved in cannabis policy in 2015. Nicole's vision is to see NYS's cannabis community give root to a new economic paradigm where communities, the environment, and corporate responsibility are as important to businesses as profit margins. She is most proud of her organization’s success in ensuring New York’s new Cannabis Law included environmental oversight and the intention to improve climate resiliency.

She is an ardent proponent for freeing the plant for all. She works to ensure the cannabis community regenerates people, communities, and the environment. Her focus at NYSF is to educate the community about the nexus of social justice, environmental justice and the economy; help to provide legacy pathways to legal, and to ensure the State’s Community Reinvestment fund goes to those neighborhoods ravaged by the drug war. She believes small-scale, sun-grown cannabis supports Social and Economic Equity. She opposes industrial-scale cannabis and profit-driven, extractive economic models.

Timmie became interested in the economics of family farming and the impact of agribusiness on the environment during her college years at Iowa State University in the 1970’s. After Timmie graduated from Villanova School of Law she was employed by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal office of General Counsel where she gained expertise in regulatory drafting and interpretation.

In 1997, she was appointed to the Housing Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York. During her nearly 25 years as a judge, she witnessed firsthand the effects the “War on Drugs,” mass incarceration, and unequal policing have on communities of color. She was assigned to courthouses in Lower Manhattan, Harlem, Brooklyn and the Bronx.

Following her retirement from the bench in June 2021, Timmie committed herself to utilizing the skills and knowledge she gained as the result of her education and employment toward ensuring New York State’s Cannabis Law is exercised in a manner which addresses systemic inequities as well as the environmental impact of indoor large scale commercial cannabis production.

Stephen Clarke brings his expertise in both cannabis cultivation and strain hunting alongside his passion for civil rights and fair practices in all facets of industry/business. Stephen has been cultivating premium herbs and plants of all types, with an emphasis on the cannabis plant. Stephen is a master grower with 15 years + experience. He provides consultations throughout the world including South America and the Caribbean. He focuses on sun-grown, organic, pesticide-free cultivation techniques, and incorporates various natural farming methods to create medicinal produce. What started as a hobby has become a passion and he’s always experimenting with new trends in cannabis cultivation. Stephen aims to see an equitable free market where everyone is eligible, and one where inclusion isn’t just an illusion. He has a background in finance and has been striving for equality in all fields of work. He would like to see NY be the gold standard in all phases of the cannabis industry, but most importantly – social equity.

The Dank Duchess is a Hashish consultant, cannabis cultivator, and public speaker using all available media to achieve her mission to help spread cannabis and psychedelic wellness awareness globally. With 18 years of cultivation experience to her credit, and trained by the late Hash Master Frenchy Cannoli, she has dedicated the last 7 years to educating via print, film, and social media about high quality cannabis and Hashish. Her hash stories and hash tutorials have appeared in Weed World UK, Weed World Italia, Cannabis Now, Skunk Magazine and in Ed Rosenthal’s books. Duchess has also made several media appearances including Seasons 1 and 3 of VICELAND’s Bong Appetit.

Ambra is the operator and founder of an all female run, legacy farm, Amagram Farms. An injury forced Ambra to take time off from work as an ironworker and welder. During her recovery period she began gardening and became so passionate about growing fruits and vegetables. She quickly learned that what creates the best, healthiest plants is the healthiest soil and began studying the topic. Through her studies she learned the critical role mycelium plays in the life of soil. This began her current work and passion, creating vibrant, living, healthy soil systems that in turn create healthy, vibrant plants.

 Ambra works to educate people how fungi and bacteria connect humans, plants and animals. The more we know, embrace, and incorporate fungal systems in our grow systems, the healthier the soil, and the better the final product. This was the main catalyst for Ambra in becoming a mushroom farmer. Ambra believes if enough people understand and grow enough mushrooms we can collectively replenish and regenerate the depleted soil on Earth. She is passionate about the mission of NYSF to regenerate the environment through craft, regenerative, sun-grown cannabis.

I owe my life to cannabis. It’s that simple.

My life took a drastic change when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in 2018.

As a result of never wanting my diagnosis to be in vain, I became a Woman Cannabis Entrepreneur, Co-Founder & CEO at Grace H + W.

I have dedicated my life to cannabis advocacy after my personal journey with metastatic breast cancer.

My mission is to educate others about the healing benefits of cannabis, to help those in similar situations suffering with critical ailments, and to help improve overall health and wellness.

This is the vision for Grace H + W. To ensure this miraculous plant is recognized for all the healing it possesses.

Collin Palmer serves as the Head of Formulations at PAX, where he leads the development and formulation of the brand’s consumable products, including the recently launched, first-of-its-kind fresh pressed Live Rosin with Natural Diamonds. 

Over his 20+ years of working with cannabis, Collin has established himself as a leader in the industry with his proprietary solventless extraction, ability to scale product offerings and intimate understanding of cultivation and production across verticals. Collin has accumulated an extensive genetic library spanning 4 decades. He brings a comprehensive knowledge base across the spectrum of the regulated cannabis industry, having advised on the design of engineered facilities, genetics, cultivation, food manufacturing practices, proprietary extraction methods, branding, retail operations, marketing, wholesale distribution and data collection networks. 

Prior to cannabis, Collin hails from a diverse background as an award-winning creative, working in advertising, production and as a commercial director for clients such as MTV, P&G, Philips, Unilever, Saatchi & Saatchi, Toyota and Valentino. He’s also a founding member of the artist collective New Villager, which he toured with internationally and performed at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 2010, opening for Cypress Hill. Collin’s work has been featured in Paper Mag, Art Forum, Rolling Stone and more. He currently resides in Boston.