Todd Hughes, PMP is a graduate of Howard University’s school of computer science, architecture, and engineering, a serial entrepreneur, community organizer, and mechanical engineer from Pittsburgh, PA. He spent 10 years as a division director managing a $500 million research and development program for the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Todd now focuses his energy on facilitating entrepreneurship through his company, EntreVation (Entrepreneurship + Innovation), a business accelerator and consultancy in Washington, DC. He has applied his engineering and analytical skills, as well as his project management expertise toward helping establish numerous businesses that practice corporate social responsibility and diversity in the cannabis industry.

Over the last 10 years Todd has emerged as a thought leader and passionate change agent within the cannabis industry winning over 7 licenses for clients in 5 different states. His advocacy work has removed implicit biases, facilitated reform, and enabled minority equities in an otherwise unstructured and unstable industry. More recently, Todd has forged a relationship between the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) and Cannabis Venture Capital Firm, Merida Capital Partners in an effort to lower barriers to entry for minorities into the Cannabis Industry through the Inclusive Industry (i2) Accelerator. i2 resulted in over $2.5 million awarded to minority owned businesses. Todd’s extensive experience reflects his commitment to creating and maintaining diversity in the cannabis industry, through professional development, community engagement and governmental collaboration.