Thursday August 14, 2025, the WICE moderator for the day is Christine Gamez, Manager & Buyer for PureTonic Dispensary and
Co-Founder of IXVV Solutions.
Friday August 15, 2025, our WICE Moderator for the day is Brooke M. Westlake, CEO & Founder of the Women in Cannabis Expo & Donor Development Director/Major Gifts Officer for the Ronald McDonald House Northen Nevada
Thank you all the WICE Panelists who participated in our panel discussions on Thursday August 14, 2025
Interested in being an exhibitor, panelists, speaker, sponsors 2026?
Thank you all the WICE Panelists who participated in our panel discussions on Friday August 15, 2025
Interested in being an exhibitor, panelists, speaker, sponsors 2026?
August 14 | Speaker 1 | 10:45-11:00am
Topic: Higher Ground
Senior Counsel for Husch Blackwell LLP. Alyssa is a corporate and M&A attorney. The genesis of her practice was in cannabis and has grown to include representation of food, alcohol and hospitality clients. From plant-based foods to eco-tourism there are so many companies out there
August 14 | Speaker 1 | 10:45-11:00am
Topic: Higher Ground
Senior Counsel for Husch Blackwell LLP. Alyssa is a corporate and M&A attorney. The genesis of her practice was in cannabis and has grown to include representation of food, alcohol and hospitality clients. From plant-based foods to eco-tourism there are so many companies out there that will fundamentally shift our relationship with food, the planet, and each other. She thrives on working with change makers across our food system.
August 14 | Speaker 2 | 11:05-11:20am
Topic: Creating Your Own Lane
Nichole West is a true cannabis industry powerhouse with over 15 years of trailblazing experience. Her journey began in 2009 when she opened one of Long Beach’s first licensed dispensaries—and she hasn’t stopped breaking barriers since. Nichole has driven 55+ successful bus
August 14 | Speaker 2 | 11:05-11:20am
Topic: Creating Your Own Lane
Nichole West is a true cannabis industry powerhouse with over 15 years of trailblazing experience. Her journey began in 2009 when she opened one of Long Beach’s first licensed dispensaries—and she hasn’t stopped breaking barriers since. Nichole has driven 55+ successful business licenses, launched 30+ retail stores in four states, scaled over 500,000 sq. ft. of cultivation, and led teams of 400—all with unstoppable hustle and heart.
August 14 | Speaker 3 | 1:50-2:05pm
Topic: Her Take: Candid Conversations with Women in Cannabis
For over 17 years, Niki has worked where technology, design, and strategy meet—turning complex challenges into simple, human-centered solutions. With a background in business management, UX design, and brand strategy, she combines creative visi
August 14 | Speaker 3 | 1:50-2:05pm
Topic: Her Take: Candid Conversations with Women in Cannabis
For over 17 years, Niki has worked where technology, design, and strategy meet—turning complex challenges into simple, human-centered solutions. With a background in business management, UX design, and brand strategy, she combines creative vision with operational discipline to deliver results in high-stakes, resource-limited environments. In 2020, she co-founded Salve, a tech-agnostic, user-first middleware platform designed to bring clarity and cohesion to fragmented, heavily regulated industries. As CEO, Niki focuses on setting a clear vision, empowering teams, and solving complex problems to create structure, improve quality of life, and deliver better outcomes for both operators and customers.
August 14 | Speaker 4 | 2:10-2:25pm
Topic: Crowns to Cannabis
Brooke M. Westlake is a first-generation college graduate with three higher educational degrees including a BA & MA in Criminal Justice. She has been appointed by three State of Nevada Governors and serves on 3 state governing boards. She worked in healthcare for 20 years. Has ha
August 14 | Speaker 4 | 2:10-2:25pm
Topic: Crowns to Cannabis
Brooke M. Westlake is a first-generation college graduate with three higher educational degrees including a BA & MA in Criminal Justice. She has been appointed by three State of Nevada Governors and serves on 3 state governing boards. She worked in healthcare for 20 years. Has had two of her own companies and is releasing her first book "Crowns to Cannabis". After 17 surgeries and 1 emergency lifesaving surgery with a section of her colon removed, she became a fierce advocate for the plant and for the women in the industry. Connection, inspiration and learning are lived by her every day.
August 14 | Speaker 5 | 3:05-3:20pm
Topic: Cannabis in 2025: Navigating Market Trends & Opportunities
Laurie believes that every brand has a story to tell—a story that will engage and capture the hearts and minds of the consumer. Her passion is cultivating the story and helping consumers understand how that brand can help them live their be
August 14 | Speaker 5 | 3:05-3:20pm
Topic: Cannabis in 2025: Navigating Market Trends & Opportunities
Laurie believes that every brand has a story to tell—a story that will engage and capture the hearts and minds of the consumer. Her passion is cultivating the story and helping consumers understand how that brand can help them live their best lives.
She does this by flipping the message from selling products to solving problems through curating everything from the brand voice and essence to the customer experience in store as well as online. Her goal is to create experiences that inspire, motivate and engage consumers.
August 15 | Speaker 6 | 3:25-3:40pm
Topic: What Was I Afraid Of? My Blueprint to Cannabis
Thunder Walker has over 40 years in real estate, finance and construction experience. With 7 years of cannabis and cbd legacy experience. She currently the licensed owner of several dispensary and processing companies in th
August 15 | Speaker 6 | 3:25-3:40pm
Topic: What Was I Afraid Of? My Blueprint to Cannabis
Thunder Walker has over 40 years in real estate, finance and construction experience. With 7 years of cannabis and cbd legacy experience. She currently the licensed owner of several dispensary and processing companies in the United States. With her own CBD products also in other countries. Ms. Walker has developed concept and lead the team of creatives to develop commercial retail clothing stores in several states. Developed several real estate properties and owner of three successful Airbnbs. Creating a real estate wellness business.
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 14, 2025 | Panel 1
Time: 10:10am to 10:40am
Moderator: Christine Gamez, General Manager & Buyer, PureTonic Dispensary & Co-Founder IVXX Solutions
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 14, 2025 | Panel 2
Time: 11:25am to 11:55am
Moderator: Christine Gamez, General Manager & Buyer, PureTonic Dispensary & Co-Founder IVXX Solutions
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 14, 2025 | Panel 3
Time: 1:15pm to 1:45pm
Moderator: Christine Gamez, General Manager & Buyer, PureTonic Dispensary & Co-Founder IVXX Solutions
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 14, 2025 | Panel 4
Time: 2:30pm to 3:00pm
Moderator: Christine Gamez, General Manager & Buyer, PureTonic Dispensary & Co-Founder IVXX Solutions
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 14, 2025 | Panel 5
Time: 3:45pm to 4:15pm
Moderator: Christine Gamez, General Manager & Buyer, PureTonic Dispensary & Co-Founder IVXX Solutions
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 14, 2025 | Panel 6
Time: 4:20pm to 4:50pm
Moderator: Christine Gamez, General Manager & Buyer, PureTonic Dispensary & Co-Founder IVXX Solutions
August 15 | Speaker 1 | 10:45-11:00am
Topic: Successful Cannabis Banking
As the Vice President of Hemp Business,
I understand the complexity of the vast evolving Hemp & Cannabis Industry. The importance of establishing long lasting relationship with my clientele to prioritize, strategize and presenting the best solutions as you grow.
August 15 | Speaker 2 | 11:05-11:20am
Topic: One Legal License at a Time
Vice President of Licensing and Legal Strategy, Chelsea will provide knowledge and experience on what new owner operators should expect in the process of becoming a legal cannabis business, company or brand.
August 15 | Speaker 3 | 1:50-2:05pm
Topic: Payroll & HR Compliance Hand-in-Hand
Vice President of Sales, Teresa will provide knowledge and experience regarding payroll and HR going hand-in-hand for your cannabis company needs for your employees.
August 15 | Speaker 4 | 2:10-2:25pm
Topic: Finding Your Passion & Purpose in Cannabis
Christine Gamez has been a wife for 15 years. She is a proud mom of one son. She has been in the cannabis industry for 10 years and is experienced as a dispensary manager. She is also the Co-Founder of IXVV Solutions. She has been a fierce advocate in t
August 15 | Speaker 4 | 2:10-2:25pm
Topic: Finding Your Passion & Purpose in Cannabis
Christine Gamez has been a wife for 15 years. She is a proud mom of one son. She has been in the cannabis industry for 10 years and is experienced as a dispensary manager. She is also the Co-Founder of IXVV Solutions. She has been a fierce advocate in the cannabis industry in Nevada. When she isn't working and advocating, she loves spending time outdoors, camping, swimming and playing with her dogs.
August 15 | Speaker 5 | 3:05-3:20pm
Topic: She Who Came Before the Smoke
Jillian has been a trail blazer in creating CBD products. She is a self-published author and now, the first minority female owned cannabis testing lab founder in Long Beach California. Through life experience, and her last son Dre becoming an angel, Jillan turned part
August 15 | Speaker 5 | 3:05-3:20pm
Topic: She Who Came Before the Smoke
Jillian has been a trail blazer in creating CBD products. She is a self-published author and now, the first minority female owned cannabis testing lab founder in Long Beach California. Through life experience, and her last son Dre becoming an angel, Jillan turned part of her pain into creating her businesses with passion. Jillian shares inspirational ways to step out of your comfort zone by showing up for yourself first. before sharing your business with the world. Providing the blueprint for business and growth starts with having faith, hope and grit to get it done.
August 15 | Speaker 6 | 3:25-3:40pm
Topic: Use Your Voice & Lift Others As You Rise
Rebecca Perrick has spent almost 10 years at the intersection of cannabis, health, and wellness, using her unique expertise to champion emerging leaders and brands in Nevada. As a former Women Grow Market Leader, co-founder of Lady Led Collabs, and most rece
August 15 | Speaker 6 | 3:25-3:40pm
Topic: Use Your Voice & Lift Others As You Rise
Rebecca Perrick has spent almost 10 years at the intersection of cannabis, health, and wellness, using her unique expertise to champion emerging leaders and brands in Nevada. As a former Women Grow Market Leader, co-founder of Lady Led Collabs, and most recently, the Regional Marketing Manager for GTI, she combines her background in occupational therapy and aerial yoga with her passion for education, curating events and partnerships that foster growth and connection across the industry.
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 15, 2025 | Panel 1
Time: 10:10am to 10:40am
Moderator: Brooke M. Westlake, B.A., M.A., CEO & Founder of the Women in Cannabis Expo & Donor Development Director/Major Gifts Officer for Ronald McDonald House Northern Nevada
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 15, 2025 | Panel 2
Time: 11:25am to 11:55am
Moderator: Brooke M. Westlake, B.A., M.A., CEO & Founder of the Women in Cannabis Expo & Donor Development Director/Major Gifts Officer for Ronald McDonald House Northern Nevada
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 15, 2025 | Panel 3
Time: 1:15pm to 1:45pm
Moderator: Brooke M. Westlake, B.A., M.A., CEO & Founder of the Women in Cannabis Expo & Donor Development Director/Major Gifts Officer for Ronald McDonald House Northern Nevada
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 15, 2025 | Panel 4
Time: 2:30pm to 3:00pm
Moderator: Brooke M. Westlake, B.A., M.A., CEO & Founder of the Women in Cannabis Expo & Donor Development Director/Major Gifts Officer for Ronald McDonald House Northern Nevada
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 15, 2025 | Panel 5
Time: 3:45pm to 4:15pm
Moderator: Brooke M. Westlake, B.A., M.A., CEO & Founder of the Women in Cannabis Expo & Donor Development Director/Major Gifts Officer for Ronald McDonald House Northern Nevada
WICE panelists on the mainstage.
Thursday August 15, 2025 | Panel 6
Time: 4:20pm to 4:50pm
Moderator: Brooke M. Westlake, B.A., M.A., CEO & Founder of the Women in Cannabis Expo & Donor Development Director/Major Gifts Officer for Ronald McDonald House Norhtern Nevada
Introducing the Women in Cannabis Expo Speakers!
The Women in Cannabis Expo features a diverse group of women from around the world. All the women provide and offer unique, professional and creative backgrounds in today's cannabis industry. This includes, growers, retailers, scientists, medical, business owners, government facilitators and more. Please join us to find out what their expertise are and how they align with the Women in Cannabis Expo's mission to connect, inspire and learn.
Brooke led a successful 20-year professional career in healthcare, both in the public and private sector. The last 10 years of her healthcare career included business development/management, leadership, client retention, regulation, compliance, contract creation/negotiations, new product development/implementation, social media/marketing, and spokesperson/ambassador. Her career path then shifted into the cannabis industry after she completed her master’s degree later in life while pregnant with her second child.
During the business planning and development process for a cannabis testing lab, Brooke realized the need for a national expo for women in the cannabis industry. Putting movement into action, the Women in Cannabis Expo was developed and launched in January of 2020. WICE provides an event space for women to connect, inspire and learn together. The first event was schedule for September of 2020, but due to COVID-19, it was postponed to September of 2021. After its successful completion, Brooke launched four incredible expos around the United States in 2022. In 2023, Brooke postponed events after being casted for Television as the first woman CEO in cannabis industry. The full season and brand-new game show, "We Are Family" can be watched on Fox & Hulu. She was specifically casted due to being a woman CEO in the cannabis industry. That is a piece of cannabis history and a game changer! The next amazing WICE event with will be hosted in August of 2025! Her very first book "From Crowns to Cannabis" will be released March 29, 2025.
Brooke is a first-generation college graduate, holding 3 higher educational degrees, including a Masters and Bachelors in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Reno. She holds an Associates of Arts degree from Truckee Meadows Community College. She was appointed by two former State of Nevada Governors for State Government Boards (Former State of Nevada Governor, Brian Sandoval and Steve Sisolak). She was appointed by the current State of Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo to maintain her seats on State Governing Boards as part of her way to give back to her community. Brooke has also held 17 pageant titles, as a teen, Miss, Ms., & Mrs. These titles include representing city, state, and nationals. She will be the oldest woman to compete for the title of Miss Nevada, USA in 2025. She is excited to complete and gain a real estate brokers license. She gave her first TEDx talk in 2021 titled "40 is the New 40!" and has also run for local office. In the future she hopes to run for office again as a way to continuing to serve her community.
Brooke has overcome many obstacles including surviving two near death experiences. She is a survivor of pre-stomach and colon cancer. She was diagnosed with diabetes type II in 2015. She suffered an emergency volvulus bowel obstruction in 2020 and was taken by ambulance for immediate care, emergency surgery and treatment to save her life. A section of her colon was removed along with her nutrition valve. Her hospital stay was long. In 2024, she had her 17th surgery. She has since been on the road to recovery and cannabis has helped play a critical role for her health and wellness. She counts her blessings every day with gratitude for her life and her children's lives.
Brooke attributes her success to her extreme appetite her obsession to get things done and never giving up. She also believes that surrounding yourself with the right people is critical for achieving goals. Her lifelong mentor, CPB, has provided profound way for her to succeed. Her mentor has shown her she can truly achieve all she has visioned and desires. When in doubt, CPB is the first person she reaches out too. Brooke was also raised by her late Grandma Bev. She accredits several major life successes from her grandmas love and support. Brooke's family has been extremely supportive and excited to watch Brooke transition from healthcare to having her own business in the cannabis industry.
When Brooke is not consulting or creating new business entities as a business engineer, creator and developer, she enjoys spending time with her two sons, her golden retriever, and her cat. She loves to create art and sing. She is passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer's. She extremely active, getting in 5-8 miles daily and is an advent experienced ice skater.
Welcome to the Women in Cannabis Expo Website!
**BEWARE of Scams! We do not sell or distribute our reg or exhibitor lists. No one can sell you real lists!**