These women, through a vast network of media relationships, are directly responsible for which cannabis companies receive some of the market’s most editorial visibility. These women know how to spread the word, raise a company’s profile, put a brand on the map, and manage its reputation.
Anne G. Donohoe, Firm: KCSA Strategic Communications
Anne G. Donohoe is a Managing Director at KCSA Strategic Communications, where she leads the Los Angeles office and the firm’s Alternatives Practice. With over 20 years of experience, Anne has helped shape the public narrative of the cannabis industry, guiding strategic communications for clients.
She founded, co-hosted, and produced the weekly podcast, The Green Rush, for over six years. Anne is recognized for her quiet, savvy, and mission-driven approach, as well as her commitment to advancing thoughtful dialogue in the cannabis industry through advocacy, storytelling, and strategic leadership.
“I’m passionate about building access to safe, effective mental healthcare and wellness solutions for all, especially those historically underserved,” said Anne Donohoe. “My work in cannabis (and psychedelic science!) stems from a deep belief that these therapies can offer life-changing relief to people suffering from mental health conditions. For too long, cannabis was villainized under the War on Drugs, causing harm that disproportionately impacted thousands, especially black and brown people. As we build thriving marketplaces for these products, we have a responsibility to correct those past injustices. I also believe in the right to personal agency—whether someone uses cannabis for healing or joy, it deserves thoughtful communication, destigmatization, and access grounded in science and humanity.”
KCSA represents Greenlight, Ethos, Ispire, Edibles.com, Curaleaf, Glass House, 4Front, FundCanna, and MAPS, among many others.
Rosie Mattio, Firm: MATTIO Communications
Rosie launched MATTIO Communications, formerly RMPR, in 2004 as a one-woman PR firm. She is deft at understanding cultural shifts and shaping emerging markets. These skills led her to pioneer one of the first cannabis-focused PR agencies in the industry. Today, MATTIO stands as a thriving, full-service communications agency with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto. Her agency specializes in crafting tailored marketing strategies, particularly for entities navigating highly-regulated sectors, like plant-based therapeutics, healthcare, and finance. Under Rosie’s guidance, MATTIO has earned a reputation for building brands and gaining market traction in tough industries.
“As a consumer and believer in the power of the plant, I’m deeply passionate about helping shift the conversation around cannabis,” said Rosie Mattio. “There’s still so much stigma and misunderstanding, and what drives me is being able to work with brands that are not only building successful businesses but also actively reshaping the narrative around wellness, equity, and innovation. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of an expanding industry that’s transforming lives and helping to normalize something I truly believe in.”
To name a few, MATTIO Communications represents Green Thumb Industries, Jane Technologies, Curaleaf, Ivy Hall, Green Dot Labs, Mfused, and more across the cannabis supply chain.
Kim Prince, Firm: Proven Media
Kim Prince, the Founder of Proven Media, has accolades galore. The Observer named her firm one of the Top Five Most Powerful Cannabis PR firms, and the Business Journal ranked it as a top PR firm as well.
Prince founded Meet the Cannabis Press and is recognized as a Most Influential Cannabis Executive, a Leading Female Executive in the Cannabis Industry, a Woman to Watch, a Most Powerful Woman in Cannabis, and a Notable Leader.
She was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year and the All-Star Award from ASU West and the Phoenix Business Journal. She serves on the board of the CMB Expo and the Advisory Board of the Women in Cannabis Expo, and was formerly the membership chair of the Arizona Business Marketing Association.
“The cannabis industry lets me use my skills to support license holders and partners in raising awareness, creating jobs, boosting the economy, and expanding access nationwide,” said Kim Prince.
Proven Media currently represents Melt-to-Make, GreenPharms Dispensaries, Bianchi & Brandt, Fourtwenty, Marvina Thomas, Mitchel Chargo, RAW, Story Cannabis, Copperstate Farms & Sol Flower Dispensaries.
Erin Roche, Firm: Candy & Flowers
Erin Roche is the Founder of Candy & Flowers, an award-winning strategic communications firm for disruptive brands. Erin brings 25 years of experience across top agencies and in-house roles. She helps cannabis companies and executives build and protect their brands while shaping public perception of the emerging industry. A founding board member of the Cannabis Media Council, she’s passionate about driving education, normalization, and advocacy through powerful storytelling and cultural engagement.
“Cannabis is filled with untold stories of innovation, wellness, equity, and entrepreneurship, and I’m driven to help bring those stories to light,” said Erin Roche. “I’m passionate about what I do because it allows me to apply my years of experience building brands and protecting reputations for Fortune 500 companies into one of the most dynamic and misunderstood industries today. I love solving complex business challenges through strategic communications and take pride in bringing a high-impact approach to cannabis marketing that helps elevate the industry, educate the public, and shape its future.”
Previous clients include IBM, where she served as VP of Communications before founding Candy & Flowers. Erin leads campaigns for global brands and scrappy startups alike, earning Cannabis Clio PR Awards for 1906 and Garcia Hand Picked, as well as recognition as a PRWeek 40 Under 40 honoree. She currently represents the New York-based brand MFNY, Kiva Confections, and several other clients.
Zoe Wilder, Firm: Zoe Wilder PR
Zoe Wilder is a public relations professional specializing in lifestyle, culture, and wellness. For over 20 years, Zoe has worked with hundreds of clients across various industries to develop and execute innovative promotional content and campaigns that capture the attention of tastemakers and influencers worldwide.
Zoe’s awareness of cannabis stems from her mom normalizing the plant in her formative years.
“Although I’ve been an advocate since my youth, my mission crystallized when I witnessed firsthand how cannabis and psychedelics can improve the quality of life for those suffering from health challenges,” said Zoe Wilder. “While working with the American Thoracic Society—a nonprofit that published some of the first favorable, peer-reviewed studies on cannabis and lung health—I pursued a master’s degree in social work. I studied harm reduction approaches to substance use and quickly grew disillusioned with Western medicine’s tendency to pathologize and overprescribe. Too often, personality traits, life phases, and natural cycles are labeled as disorders rather than understood holistically.
“Seeing patients stuck in repetitive cycles of suffering within the allopathic system inspired me to seek alternative ways for us to heal, thrive, and reach our fullest potential,” Wilder continued. “This passion ultimately led me to dedicate my life to advocating for cannabis, psychedelics, and forward-thinking wellness solutions—both in personal transformation and business success.”
Zoe was named “Cannabis Empressaria” by Forbes, “35 Most Influential Women in Cannabis” by Entrepreneur Magazine, and was the recipient of the 2024 Green Market Report Award for Public Relations.
She currently represents Jojo Simmons, Pax, and On The Revel (Revelry), among others.
