In another step toward mainstreaming cannabis, Wana Brands CEO and co-founder Nancy Whiteman will serve as the keynote speaker for The Community College of Denver’s (CCD) 2022 spring commencement. CCD was the first college in Colorado to offer cannabis degrees, and Whiteman’s entrepreneurial success in the industry makes her a natural choice to deliver the keynote.
As of 2021, CCD offers an Associate of Applied Science in Cannabis Business and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Cannabis Science and Operations. The school plans to expand its cannabis program with three short-term, non-credit certificates in retail, manufacturing, and cultivation this fall.
Wana Brands has established itself in the industry as a top international brand, with products available in over 3,000 dispensaries across the United States and Canada. The company was also recently named the top woman-led cannabis brand in the United States by Pioneer Intelligence. Whiteman was recently recognized as one of High Times 100, as well.
Though CCD offers a wide range of education pathways for students, Whiteman’s role as the keynote speaker highlights a general shift in public perception of cannabis business. Whiteman holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Amherst, and has a long history of professional success.
“It is inspiring to see institutions of higher learning such as CCD embracing the potential of the cannabis industry for their students through cannabis degree programs. I look forward to sharing some of my life experiences in the hopes that my journey will resonate with the class of 2022 as they embark on the next chapter of their professional career,” said Whiteman.
The hybrid ceremony will be held Thursday, May 12th between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Graduates can participate in person at the school’s Auraria campus or tune in virtually.