Canopy Growth names diversity, equity and inclusion VP

Canopy Growth has named Sumayyah Emeh-Edu its vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion. The newly created role will see Emeh-Edu enhance the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion awareness programs across its business and regions. 

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Sumayyah to Canopy Growth," said David Klein, CEO of Canopy Growth. "We sought a true collaborator and leader to further actualize Canopy's commitment to inclusion within the cannabis industry and equitable access to the benefits of legalization. Achieving progress towards diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives will be a journey that requires the contributions of all Canopy employees and hiring Sumayyah is a critical step in that journey."

Emeh-Edu joins the company from Charles Schwab, where she led the financial institution’s diversity and inclusion strategy. Among her achievements was the development of company-wide accessibility resources, workshop content and curricula and the support of executive-owned diversity and inclusion plans. Prior to Charles Schwab, Emeh-Edu was principal D&I strategist at Embedded Consulting, working with such companies as Oracle, One Medical, KQED and Blue Shield of California. 

"Sumayyah brings a wealth of experience in both internal and external diversity and inclusion initiatives, and Canopy Growth will benefit greatly from her counsel as we continue to evolve into a workforce that mirrors the markets and communities we serve," said Holly Lukavsky, Canopy Growth’s chief human resources officer. "As we strive to advance our mission of improving lives through cannabis, which includes ending cannabis prohibition, we are excited to bring on a talented leader like Sumayyah whose experience will be essential to supporting our business and social justice priorities."

Canopy Growth noted that even as cannabis and CBD industries have flourished, it has decided to lead in diversity, equity and inclusion because of the history of racial inequities surrounding cannabis prohibition and the impact on marginalized communities. Canopy Growth said Emeh-Edu’s charge is to provide a consultative strategy and guidance aimed at empowering the company to address the social and business realities in the cannabis industry through an inclusive workforce. 

"I am inspired and excited to be leading Canopy's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion and embrace this as an opportunity to enable people from traditionally marginalized groups to not only participate but benefit from an industry where criminalization has historically negatively impacted them,” Emeh-Edu said. "I see the power of cannabis in improving people's quality of life and am eager to work with the leadership and workforce of Canopy to co-create an environment capable of addressing complex issues while cultivating spaces and tools that instill diversity and inclusion into every facet of our industry."