Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, leads the nation’s largest, most influential employers’ organization, advocating on behalf of New Jersey’s large and small businesses for policies that will make New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive.

Being known as a collaborative leader, Siekerka is leading an NJBIA established coalition (New Jersey Business Coalition) comprised of more than 100 business and nonprofit associations across the state to tackle the tough economic and business challenges our state is facing during COVID 19.

Well versed on the ‘boots on the ground” issues affecting our state’s business community, Michele is often the “go to” resource for media and is sought after to share her expertise in public forums across the state.

• 25 Year Executive and former President at Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Partnered with OSHA Region 2 to establish the highest concentration of VPP-Star Sites in US
• Strategic advisor to US Chamber of Commerce
• Architected over 100 affinity programs generating millions of dollars to support not-for-profit organizations through Affinity Programs
• Entrepreneur & Founder
  • Co-Founder of ATP

Jacqueline Ferraro is a trailblazing leader in the cannabis industry, combining her corporate expertise, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to advocacy to drive meaningful change. Known for her ability to navigate complex challenges with precision and passion, she empowers businesses and individuals to thrive while fostering progress and positive transformation in the industry. Ms. Ferraro’s strength lies not only in her strategic acumen but also in her exceptional relationship-building skills, which have earned her the trust of clients, partners, and stakeholders throughout the industry.

Ms. Ferraro began her cannabis journey in 2016 as an advocate during a time when the industry was still heavily stigmatized. As a passionate advocate for fair policy and communications at the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association (NJCIA), she played a critical role in advancing pivotal initiatives, including the drafting of New Jersey’s expanded medical cannabis legislation and adult-use bill under Governor Murphy’s administration. Her advocacy has extended nationwide, influencing best practices across emerging markets. Ms. Ferraro has been a staunch champion of the SAFE Banking Act and the MORE Act on Capitol Hill, continuing to push for reform at the federal level.

Strategic Advisory

In 2018, Ms. Ferraro founded Cannability, LLC, a cannabis consulting and government affairs firm dedicated to helping businesses navigate the complexities of the industry. Collaborating with clients across various sectors and stages of growth, she offers B2B insights, fosters meaningful connections, and focuses on empowering businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive. Ms. Ferraro’s ability to cultivate strong, trusting relationships with clients has been key to her success, as she works closely with them to define, develop, and execute strategic plans for securing and operating cannabis licenses.

In early 2024, Ms. Ferraro joined Tier 9, a procurement firm specializing in providing shared services to cannabis operators of all sizes. She helps them navigate product launches, inventory

management, and operational success. Additionally, Ms. Ferraro was instrumental in the creation of Clique, a premium cannabis brand born from New Jersey roots. The brand combines fresh, locally sourced ingredients from New Jersey farms with the expertise of a Michelin-starred chef from Princeton, delivering a high-quality product that honors both the state’s agricultural heritage and culinary excellence.

Nonprofit Work 

Ms. Ferraro co-founded the Cannabis Advisory Group (CAG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, 100% volunteer-led policy organization. CAG consists of diverse professionals specializing in cannabis policy, compliance, social justice, science, and business. Through its annual golf outings and networking events, CAG has raised over $200,000, donating every dollar to impactful causes. The group provides legislators and public stakeholders with best-practice guidance from cannabis-friendly states, fostering informed, effective decision-making at both the state and local levels.

Awards and Recognition

Ms. Ferraro’s leadership has earned recognition across the industry:

• 2019: Insider NJ’s Top 100 Cannabis Power List
• 2019: Cannabis Insider’s Top 100
• 2021: Cannabis Insider’s Top 21 People to Watch
• 2022: Jay Lassiter’s Insider 100: Cannabis Power List
• A sought-after speaker and panelist, Ms. Ferraro has moderated and participated in panels for esteemed organizations, including the New Jersey Conference of Mayors (2022), New Jersey Business Industry Association (2019, 2024 – 10^th Annual Women Business Leaders Forum), New Jersey Planning Conference (2021, 2023), Medgar Evers College (2023), and was one of the first New Jersey cannabis leaders to present at MJBizCon, 2022 – the nation’s largest cannabis conference.

Ms. Ferraro is a member of the National Cannabis Industry Association, Cannabis Association of New York, New Jersey Business Industry Association, and the New Jersey Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.

Political and Community Engagement

Ms. Ferraro has been engaged in political campaigns from a young age, contributing to congressional, mayoral, and local elections throughout her teenage and adult years. In addition to her political work, she has volunteered for organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Morristown Memorial Hospital, Montclair Film Festival, Habitat for Humanity, and served as President of the Saddle River Residents Club.

Corporate Career

Before fully transitioning into the cannabis industry in 2023, Ms. Ferraro built an impressive 20-year career in corporate America, rising from Account Executive to Senior Vice President of Sales in the light industrial staffing sector. She negotiated multi-million-dollar partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and led high-performing teams to consistently exceed client expectations. Her expertise in needs assessment, delivering innovative solutions, and cultivating lasting professional relationships based on trust has been integral to her continued success.

Max Meade is a seasoned insurance professional with over nine years of experience as an insurance broker. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in managing comprehensive insurance programs, including property and casualty, executive, and financial lines. As one of the first in the United States to secure the Cannabis Insurance Coverage Specialist designation, he has been working with Cannabis operators throughout the country and providing them the proper risk management coverages and recommendations to properly protect these operations.

A seasoned attorney with more than two decades of public and private sector experience, Fruqan focuses his practice on
cannabis law, litigation and regulatory compliance.

Clients in the legal cannabis industry rely on Fruqan, and his detailed understanding of regulatory law, to guide them through
all steps of the licensing and compliance process. His advocacy is informed by a strong knowledge of the state’s economy and
regulatory framework acquired while working in government, where he served as General Counsel for the New Jersey State
Senate Majority Office and Assistant Counsel to former New Jersey Gov. John Corzine. Fruqan played a pivotal role in helping
to write the 2021 state law legalizing recreational use of cannabis in the Garden State – the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory,
Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act.

In his commercial litigation practice, Fruqan is tenacious, pragmatic and unflappable. He represents clients in state and federal
court, at the trial and appellate levels, working with them to achieve efficient solutions that advance their business goals,
whether at trial, in arbitration or at the negotiating table.

Stacey serves as the Principal of the HBK Valuation Group and is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of HBK Cannabis Solutions. Her office is located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Stacey has more than 25 years of experience in business valuation, forensic accounting, economic damages, and litigation support services. This includes performing valuations and providing expert witness services for hundreds of clients.  Prior to joining HBK, she was a partner at a CPA firm where she offered accounting, tax services, and specialized in valuation and litigation support.

Stacey has been deeply involved in the cannabis industry, assisting clients at various stages such as pre-licensing, operational guidance for new and experienced operators, and facilitating transactions (buyers and sellers).  She has also been involved in litigation matters within the cannabis sector, providing her expertise in valuation and economic damages.

Stacey is a recognized speaker nationally, regionally, and locally on topics related to business valuation, litigation support, and the cannabis industry.  She has authored multiple articles and co-authored the first known book on valuation in the cannabis industry “The Cannabis Industry Accounting and Appraisal Guide.”

Stacey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware.  She has held leadership positions, including past chair of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants’ Cannabis Industry Group and Treasurer of the South Jersey Collaborative Divorce Professionals Group.  Stacey has been actively involved in committees of professional organizations such as AICPA, NACVA, and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.