Meet The Real-World Wavemaker

FOREVER AHEAD OF THE CURRENTS.

Founded in 2009, High Tide Inc. has become the largest revenue-generating cannabis company in Canada¹ with over 500 million dollars in annual revenue run rate. High Tide’s subsidiary, Canna Cabana, is the largest non-franchised cannabis retail chain with over 160 retail locations operating across Canada, including the largest bricks-and-mortar loyalty plan in the country with over 1 million Cabana Club members. Our company’s portfolio is also comprised of global e-commerce assets, including the two most popular consumption accessory e-commerce platforms in the world², as well as three of the top international CBD brands serving  the U.S and the U.K. Combined, our online platforms saw over 155 million page views throughout 2022³.

High Tide was featured in the fifth-annual Report on Business Magazine’s ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies for 2023, ranking 38 out of 425. This marked the third year in a row High Tide earned a spot on this prestigious list in addition to having been ranked number one in the retail category on the Financial Times list of Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies for 2023.  We’ve spent the last decade developing an intimate understanding of cannabis consumers and a suite of retail experiences to serve their interests, uniquely positioning High Tide for international expansion through emerging legal markets.

https://www.newcannabisventures.com/cannabis-company-revenue-ranking/
2 Based on 2022 site traffic data from SEMRush
3 Based on 2022 site traffic data from SEMRush

We Are The Rising Tide Of Cannabis.

Our management team is composed of seasoned industry professionals and operators, with a goal to establish High Tide Inc as the leading retail cannabis portfolio internationally. We have rapidly grown our business through organic growth and accretive acquisitions and continue to secure top entrepreneurial talent to solidify our place as a leading cannabis company. Our team members are passionate about the plant, experts in their fields, and driven to develop world-class experiences that focus on excitement, quality, and service.

Since our founding in 2009, High Tide has become a leader in Canadian bricks-and-mortar cannabis retail and a dominant player in the North American and European e-commerce space related to hemp-derived CBD and consumption accessories.

A Team Resolute in Purpose and Passion

Raj Grover

Raj Grover

Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer

Since starting his first company at the age of 22, Raj has established himself as one of Canada’s foremost business strategists and deal-makers. He is the founder of High Tide and its subsidiary companies Valiant Distribution and Canna Cabana and is the co-founder of High Tide’s subsidiary, Famous Brandz.

Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Raj has grown High Tide from one small shop of 2 employees in 2009 into Canada’s largest non-franchised cannabis retailer with over 160 locations and 1,500 amazing team members and business interests spanning North America and Europe.

While committed to building a strong, profitable, and sustainable business, Raj also believes passionately that those who enjoy success hold a particular responsibility to give back. That is why he has spearheaded High Tide’s support of World Vision, which has seen the company sponsor a growing number of children from developing countries. This support has grown substantially since its inception, from the initial sponsorships of 3 children in 2006 to over 300 sponsorships in 2022, supporting families in 107 communities in over 31 countries. Under Raj’s leadership, this number will continue to grow.

On a personal level, Raj has also been a long-time supporter of Operation Smile, an organization that works to deliver free, safe cleft surgery to children in need saving them from a lifetime of pain and isolation.

Rahim Kanji

Sergio Patino (CPA, CMA)

Chief Financial Officer

Sergio is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA), and has a Master in Business from University of Alberta. Prior to joining High Tide, Sergio served as the America’s Chief Financial Officer of a large Mining construction company. He has also held management positions in two large Oil & Gas service companies.

Sergio is an experienced leader, with global business operations experience including Finance, Strategic, Supply Chain and Process and Controls. He is adept at creating efficiencies and streamlining processes in growing and established companies. He lives in Calgary, Alberta with his family.

Andy Palalas

Andy Palalas

Chief Marketing Officer

Andy Palalas is responsible for developing distribution channels, sourcing new market opportunities and overseeing the revenue portfolio of High Tide.

Andy is a business growth and sales professional with a decade of experience in implementing sales programs for established corporations and start-ups alike. With extensive experience in the loyalty marketing sector, a track record of explosive growth in franchise sales and operations, and a holistic mastery of ground-level business development through to overarching marketing strategy, he has most recently taken Famous Brandz from inception to the leading manufacturer of licensed consumption accessories internationally.

A relentless relationship builder and value provider, Andy focuses on developing systems for predictable revenue while working with stakeholders, vendors and partners to position High Tide as a force multiplier to growth in our industry.

Aman Sood

Aman Sood

Chief Operating Officer

Aman Sood is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in retail sector project management, operations, technology, and cost optimization. He has proven successes in new market identification and strategic positioning for companies of all sizes. Having led the building and management of 25 New Leaf Cannabis retail locations, Aman is a pioneer in the legal market who specializes in spearheading operational improvements to reduce shrink, enhance productivity, increase sales, and drive efficiencies.

Immediately following High Tide’s acquisition of META Growth in 2020, Aman began to oversee the operations of all High Tide stores while leading a major strategic shift to transform High Tide’s information and technology systems to better support a truly global company.

As director of operations with Meta Growth, Aman led business development for both New Leaf Cannabis and Meta Growth. During this time Aman increased profitability by developing various inventory and cash control measures to reduce shrink by over 90%.

Aman holds a master’s degree in business administration, as well as post graduate education in computer applications, merchandising, and cannabis. Aman has several certifications including cyber security specialization in business and master’s certificate in cannabis.

Aman uses his spare time to learn new technologies and loves to spend his time with his wife Sunita and two beautiful daughters Malika and Raashi at lakeside cottages when he gets an opportunity.

Omar Khan

Omar Khan

Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer

A seasoned cannabis industry professional, Omar came to High Tide from one of the world’s leading global communications companies, where he served as National Cannabis Sector Lead. During his tenure, Omar worked with several licensed cannabis producers, retailers and companies involved in the cannabis ancillary space to affect public policy changes and build corporate profile.

He has over 15 years of experience working as a political and communications strategist in Canadian federal and provincial politics, including serving as Chief of Staff to several Ontario Ministers, including, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade and the Minister of Government Services. With a diverse policy background across healthcare, economics, regulatory affairs, and labour relations, Omar has a proven track record developing complex policy proposals, building stakeholder coalitions, and leading and executing communications plans.

Joy Avzar

Joy Avzar

Vice President & Legal Counsel

Joy Avzar (LLB) brings over 16 years of legal and real estate experience to High Tide. Prior to joining High Tide, she was the Vice President & Legal Counsel for Meta Growth Corp. and before that she led the Real Estate and Facilities department for Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada. Her legal career began at a Bay Street Law firm specializing in corporate and commercial matters.

Joy’s areas of expertise include mergers & acquisitions, real estate, contract negotiation, regulatory and compliance matters, corporate development and strategy development. In addition, she has led various aspects of corporate transformations, including the creation and implementation of flexible working within an organization.

Joy enjoys bringing her legal skills and business acumen together which enables her to take a more practical approach to legal matters.

Vahan Ajamian, CPA, CA, CFA

Vahan Ajamian, CPA, CA, CFA

Capital Markets Advisor

Vahan Ajamian (CPA, CA, CFA) has nearly 20 years of capital markets experience including eight years of cannabis experience, initially as one of the first analysts to cover the sector for Beacon Securities. His expert opinions have been frequently quoted by media outlets like CBC, Marijuana Business Daily and BNNBloomberg. Vahan was also named one of the “Rising Stars” in the cannabis investment community by Business Insider for his equity research and analysis, as well as

“Top Investment Analyst in Cannabis” by Green Market Report. His prior firms also include Vext, MedMen, TD Securities and KPMG.

Sandy Sharma

Sandy Sharma

Vice President, Human Resources

Sandy Sharma (CPHR, SHRM-SCP, CTMP & RPR) is the heart of the High Tide community, responsible for curating and developing the talented leaders that proudly represent our brands. With over 15 years of experience managing human capital across Oil & Gas, Banking, the Canadian Armed Forces, and Health Services, Sandy has built her profession around enabling leadership within a stable, team-focused corporate culture.

Sandy is an avid reader who enjoys the Alberta outdoors and is a passionate supporter of causes that benefit seniors and children.

Shannon Hewett Throop

Shanon Hewett-Throop

Senior Director Procurement & Sourcing

Shanon Hewett is a forward-thinking strategist and driver of successful organizational change. She has held key senior leadership positions in Health & Wellness, as well as in Food & Beverage, and brings over 15 years of accomplished management experience to High Tide Inc.

With her progressive leadership style and tactical approach to problem-solving, Shanon has been an instrumental figure in the building of High Tide’s accessory production business. She continues to lead and oversee major internal projects such as the launch of CBD City, High Tide’s US-based CBD business, and the recent Meta Growth acquisition.

Shanon is particularly skilled at cost control, supply chain management, and improving workflow efficiency. Her areas of expertise include Business Development, Project Management, and Strategic Growth.

Board

Raj Grover

Raj Grover

Executive Chairman

Since starting his first company at the age of 22, Raj has established himself as one of Canada’s foremost business strategists and deal makers. He is the founder of High Tide and its subsidiary companies of Valiant Distribution and Canna Cabana, while also being the co-founder of High Tide’s subsidiary, Famous Brandz.

Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Raj has grown High Tide from one small shop of 2 employees in 2009, into one of Canada’s largest cannabis retailers with over 160 locations and 1,500 amazing team members and business interests spanning North America and Europe.

While committed to building a strong, profitable, and sustainable business, Raj also believes passionately that those who enjoy success hold a particular responsibility to give back. That is why he has spearheaded High Tide’s partnership with World Vision that has seen the company sponsor a growing number of children from developing countries. This partnership has grown substantially since its inception, from the initial sponsorships of three children in 2006 to over 300 sponsorships in 2022. Under Raj’s leadership, this number will continue to grow.

On a personal level Raj has also been a long-time supporter of Operation Smile, an organization that works to deliver free, safe cleft surgery to children in need saving them from a lifetime of pain and isolation.

Christian Sinclair

Onekanew Christian Sinclair

Independent Director

Christian Sinclair served as Onekanew (Leader) of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) from 2016 to 2021. One of Canada’s Top 40 under 40, Christian is a highly sought after negotiator and project manager for Indigenous communities and mainstream corporations. Christian is adept at bridging the interests of First Nations and industry into mutually beneficial opportunities, social prosperity, and sustainable development. Under Christian’s leadership, the OCN is considered one of Canada’s top 20 First Nations and is a leader in cannabis investments both nationally and internationally.

Nitin Kaushal

Nitin Kaushal

Independent Director

Nitin Kaushal is President of Anik Capital Corp. He has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Recently he retired from PwC where he was a Managing Director in their Corporate Finance Practice. He has worked in a number of senior roles with a number of Canadian investment banks including Desjardins Securities Inc., Orion Securities Inc., Vengate Capital, HSBC Securities Inc. and Gordon Capital and in the venture capital industry with MDS Capital Corp. Nitin sits on a number of public and private company boards and has a BSc from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Arthur Kwan

Arthur Kwan

Independent Director

Arthur is the Co-Founder, President & CEO of Aspen Island Therapeutics Inc. DBA The Newly Institute, whose mission is to become the largest operator of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy clinics in Canada.  He has over 20 years of investment banking, capital markets, and leadership experience.

He began his investment career in 1997 with TD Asset Management. Arthur has since held progressively senior investment banking positions with Scotia Capital, PI Financial, and Paradigm Capital, where he was Managing Director, Investment Banking.  Over his career, he has successfully originated, advised, negotiated, and executed on transactions with an aggregate value exceeding $1 billion.  In 2020, Arthur was featured in the Top 100 People in Finance magazine.

Arthur holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Simon Fraser University, a Masters of Business Administration in International Finance from Wilfrid Laurier University, the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute, and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. He is also a graduate of the European Summer School for Advanced Management program from the University of Aarhus in Denmark.

Andrea Elliott

Andrea Elliott

Independent Director

Andrea brings over 20 years of executive retail experience to High Tide. She currently is Executive Vice President, Direct to Consumer at Moose Knuckles – a successful global Canadian luxury outerwear brand.

Previously, Andrea founded r2 retail resources, an independent consultancy that supported domestic and international retailers with strategic initiatives, growth plans, e-commerce ideation and SG&A improvements. Andrea was previously VP & General Manager of PVH Canada Retail (Calvin Klein, Van Heusen, IZOD & Bass), an EVP at PwC and COO with Karabus Management – a wholly-owned subsidiary of PwC focused on the retail industry. Prior to PwC, Andrea was the Director of Canada Operations for Williams-Sonoma Inc. and held various senior positions at Gap Inc in the International division.