Ben Kovler brings his extensive experience managing complex operating companies and his deep commitment to philanthropy as Founder, CEO and Chairman of Green Thumb Industries. Ben founded GTI in 2014 and has successfully grown it into a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer that manufactures and sells a well-rounded suite of branded cannabis products including flower, concentrates, edibles, and topicals. Ben is frequently featured as an industry thought leader in media outlets such as Bloomberg, Barron's, Business Insider, CNBC and Forbes. He is also co-founder and CEO of Invest For Kids (IFK), an annual forum bringing together portfolio managers, family offices and analysts to share investment ideas to benefit children in Illinois. In its first ten years, IFK generated more than $12 million to benefit 60 youth organizations that have helped over 80,000 children. Ben is also on the board of the Providence St. Mel School and the Academy for Global Citizenship. Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, politics and economics from Pomona College and an M.B.A. in accounting and finance from The University of Chicago.