The key to any association is the people that make up the network. From lawyers and banking professionals, to commercial cannabis business owners and all who fall in between, we are proud of our diverse and expanding network of professionals and experts. To show our appreciation for the exceptional individuals in our community, we are highlighting Sharon Blanchette this week. Please reach out and connect with her on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-blanchette-cpa-cia-crcm-cams-mba-3ab3b8a/!
Sharon is a risk management professional who has worked in healthcare and financial services, two highly regulated industries, and is currently a director of compliance for a consulting firm. Sharon has an undergraduate degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, an MBA-Finance from Western New England University in Springfield, MA, and currently holds the following certifications: CPA, CIA, CRCM, CAMS.
Sharon is interested in assisting financial institutions with managing the risk of banking cannabis and in reviewing the risk management programs they’ve set up. Sharon is also interested in helping commercial cannabis businesses design their operations and risk management documentation process to increase their chances of obtaining a bank account — in other words, prepare for all the due diligence documentation the financial institution will likely require. She is attracted to high-risk industries in general and enjoys the challenge of maintaining compliance while growing an organization.
Sharon first heard about the Association of Certified Commercial Cannabis Experts through LinkedIn posts and is studying to become an ACCCE Certified Commercial Cannabis Expert (CCCE). “I want to become a CCCE because I want to show my dedication to this industry.” Sharon believes risk management is important to her line of work because commercial cannabis businesses of all types must manage their risks such that they can obtain and maintain banking accounts and other financial services. She believes that ACCCE solidified her knowledge about the risks involved in the commercial cannabis industry and that ACCCE’s risk management framework will help her to enhance her review of commercial cannabis risk management systems.
Sharon is married and has a blended family of 4 adult children and a very spoiled cat. She was born and raised in New England and loves the seasons along with the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins! On top of her deep love for sports, she enjoys traveling to the U.S. major league ballparks, which sadly was placed on hold this year. Her hobbies include gardening during the spring, summer, and autumn, and reading during the awfully long New England winter. Sharon prides herself on having an incredible sense of humor even under stress. (Editor’s note: That’s exactly what the world needs right now!)
We are proud to have an esteemed member like Sharon Blanchette in our network. As our community continues to grow, we find it important to thank our members for their commitment to professionalizing the commercial cannabis industry. Thank you, Sharon, for being such an important part of the cannabis community. Together, we are a part of something great.
