Seattle-based digital cannabis marketplace Leafly Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LFLY) has hired former American Century Investments vice president Deidre Boulware as the company's chief people officer.
Boulware is joining Leafly two months after the company's initial public offering on the Nasdaq through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). According to Leafly, Boulware will lead talent acquisition and development, as well as the company's equity, diversity and inclusion strategy.
“Cannabis is one of the most complex and fastest-growing industries, and the people behind that growth are central to its continued success,” Boulware said in a news release. “I am proud to have the opportunity to continue to drive social impact and change through action, advocacy and education as a leader for the world’s leading cannabis discovery marketplace.”
Boulware spent more than a year with American Century Investments, where she was head of talent, development and diversity. Prior to that, she was the global head of human resources for U.S. Pharmacopeia.
Leafly, founded in 2010, allows consumers to shop and research cannabis products online. According to the company, there are more than 7,800 cannabis brands on its website. In its fourth quarter 2021 financial results, Leafly reported revenue of $12.1 million for the quarter, a 30% year-over-year increase.
Leafly laid off more than 140 employees in early 2020, but CEO Yoko Miyashita in August told the Business Journal the company was hiring again.
"Deidre brings a unique perspective and breadth of experience that will help us nurture a collaborative and innovative workplace that fosters success and allows for individual development and career growth,” Miyashita said in a news release. “Her passion for the end-to-end employee experience and talent strategy will be instrumental as we continue to scale.”
Boulware is one of multiple key hires Leafly has made recently. In November, the company hired former Zillow executive Rebecca Warner as its senior vice president of sales. Kimberly Boler became Leafly's general counsel in September, while Suresh Krishnaswamy became chief financial officer that same month.
