At Nextleaf, we’ve gathered some of the brightest minds in the industry with proven track records and decades of cannabis experience, notable pioneers of extraction technology as well as some of the most talented scientists, researchers, and engineers.

Tom Ulanowski is Vice President of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Nextleaf Labs, where he also holds the positions of Quality Assurance Person (QAP) and Responsible Person. At Nextleaf, Tom is intimately involved in day-to-day production/manufacturing activities, as well as research and product development, regulatory liaison, and licensing/permitting. Tom is a Professional Chemist (ACPBC), Chartered Chemist (ACPO), and Articling Agrologist (BCIA), and holds an HBSc Degree in Analytical Chemistry & Environmental Monitoring from the University of Toronto, as well as a MSc Degree in Biogeochemistry and Hydrogeology from the University of Western Ontario.

Previous to joining Nextleaf, Tom was the Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Assurance Person (QAP), and Qualified Person in Charge (QPIC) at Canna Farms Ltd., a BC’s first legal licensed producer of award-winning cannabis products, based in Hope, BC. Since joining the legal cannabis industry in 2014, Tom has quality-assured hundreds of batches of cannabis, while leading to efforts to obtain multiple production and sales licences, win national industry awards, and increase output ten-fold via expansions, improvements to current practices, and the development of new processes and products. In 2018, Tom led the effort to manufacture, license, and market “Canna Kief”, the first legal concentrated form of cannabis commercially sold in Canada.

Tom is an advocate of a science-based approach to cannabis cultivation, processing and regulation, and encourages the use of critical thinking and healthy skepticism. He has been integral in developing Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU’s) Plant Production & Facility Management course, and has taught hundreds of students around the world about cannabis production and the interpretation of national and international regulations. Prior to his work with the cannabis plant, Tom was managing an environmental research laboratory at the Biotron Institute for Experimental Climate Change Research at the University of Western Ontario and conducting multidisciplinary scientific research in northern Canada.

Scott Mayer joined the Nextleaf Solutions team in Summer of 2020, bringing over 20 years of international leadership experience in engineering, operations, and quality assurance from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetic, and cannabis industries. 

Prior to joining the OILS team, Mr. Mayer was Senior Vice President of Operations, Head of Security, and Quality Assurance Person (QAP) for a BC-based LP. In his previous role, Scott completed the build-out and commissioning of the facility, established all cultivation and processing systems, implemented site security and quality management systems, and launched 2.0 products.

As Vice President of Operations for Nextleaf Solutions, Mr. Mayer is responsible for the optimization of our extraction processes, scheduling, and inventory while overseeing all partner operations as well as the day-to-day operations at the site. When he’s not working, Scott can be found spending quality time with his family. He also enjoys playing golf, good food, and a nice glass of wine.

Charles Ackerman has extensive experience developing and executing investment strategies as well as post transaction operations. Has successfully led the completion of business acquisitions, financings, mergers and exits. Charles left public practice accounting in 2015 after spending several years at a boutique accounting firm, AC Hunter Tellier Belgrave Adamson LLP, focused on providing diverse advisory and compliance services to small to mid-market businesses. Charles was also part of the corporate finance team at Grant Thornton LLP, providing valuation and transaction advisory services for small to mid-market companies, both locally and nationally.  He has diverse operational and corporate strategy experience, having spent three years with a major family office in Halifax, NS (Mr. Fred Smithers), responsible for development and execution of private equity investment strategy. Lead a number of operational projects in portfolio companies. Lead the first bolt-on acquisition of Prime Material Handling Equipment Limited, designed and implemented turnaround and integration strategy of Prime Lift Limited (formerly MJS Holdings Limited). Charles holds a Bachelor Commerce Saint Mary’s University, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, graduating in the top 10% of CPA candidates. Current or former member of the Boards of Directors or Advisors of Maple Leaf Homes Ltd., Metro Community Housing Association Non-profit (Treasurer), Radial Research Corp. (early stage technology company, pursing an IPO on the CSE), Prime Lift Limited and Dial Developments Limited. 

Chris is a strong leader with proven expertise leading national sales teams. He worked with Plant-Based Category Leader Vega, leading a national sales team, helping establish and build the brand leading to a $550MM USD acquisition. Prior to joining the team at Vega he lead Retail Operations with Whole Food Markets.

Ryan’s dedicated to driving brand growth through intelligent marketing strategy, with a focus on digital and event marketing. He’s successfully built online assets and infrastructure from the ground-up for emerging and established companies and led the execution of globally reaching event activations to engage industry, investor, and consumer audiences alike.

Ryan played a strategic role in retail operations and brand launch during the iconic transition from prohibition to legal adult-use cannabis in Canada while working with award winning multi-provincial retailer, Kiaro.

Since joining Nextleaf, Ryan’s increased visibility for the company’s patent portfolio and innovative technology, ensuring the value of intellectual property is integrated across all communication channels.

A communications and media graduate from Simon Fraser University, Ryan applied his skills in various industries before finding his niche within cannabis. He witnessed the impact of cannabis on a close family member coping with chronic pain and has been an advocate ever since.

Ryan’s work and insights have been featured in industry publications including Cannabis Retail Magazine, Leafly, and Cannabis Prospect Magazine.