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Griffin Basden is a broker at AlphaRoot, an insurance brokerage that focuses exclusively in the cannabis, hemp, CBD, holistic medicine and psychedelic industries. In the newest entry of “NY’s women in cannabis,” Basden shares her thoughts on emotional intelligence and empathy in leadership, and lists her favorite women-led businesses in the cannabis industry.
Women are vastly underrepresented in cannabis, and not just in New York. From 2019 to 2022, executive-level females have seen their industry wide status drop from 37% to 23%. Yet the MRTA makes things very clear: women-owned businesses are a key component of the state’s social and economic equity plan.
NY Cannabis Insider is seeking to elevate women in cannabis through a hyper-focus on female story sourcing and balanced representation in articles.
This series will last for as long as submissions come in.
Why did you launch your career in the cannabis industry? Were there any women who inspired you to do so? How did you do it?
I got into insurance directly out of school and spent several years in the standard market before having an opportunity to work on cannabis-related accounts. I’m what some might call a cannabis connoisseur, so the opportunity to work closer to the plant was one I could not pass up.
I was the ONLY woman at my company when I first started, so I can understand how women have been underrepresented in the cannabis and insurance spaces. Many women helped mentor me in my insurance career, and I hope to do the same for young women entering the cannabis space.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women leadership? Are the barriers different in cannabis than any other industry?
This is a loaded question as I don’t believe there is one single significant barrier but instead a confluence of barriers creating a wall, per se. And I don’t think these roadblocks for traditional industries differ much from cannabis — except that cannabis is “emerging,” and newer markets rarely have loads of access to more sophisticated awareness about diversity and inclusion.
That said, stereotypes surrounding women’s leadership styles, such as the perception that they may be overly emotional or lack toughness, have long been a significant barrier to women’s advancement in leadership roles.
These biases often fail to recognize the value of qualities like emotional regulation, empathy, and compassion that many women naturally bring to leadership positions. While traditional notions of leadership have often favored more assertive and authoritative styles, it’s important to challenge these preconceptions.
In reality, emotional regulation and empathy are essential qualities for effective leadership. The ability to connect with team members on an emotional level can foster a sense of trust and collaboration that can significantly enhance team dynamics and productivity. Leaders who adopt a “my way or the highway” approach might achieve short-term compliance, but they can also stifle innovation, discourage open communication, and contribute to a toxic work environment.
Leadership that integrates emotional intelligence and a collaborative approach can yield better long-term results. Empathetic leaders are more likely to understand the needs and concerns of their team members, leading to better decision-making and a more inclusive workplace.
Moreover, leadership styles that value consensus-building and considerate communication are better suited to navigating complex challenges and fostering a positive organizational culture.
Let me give you an example: Courtney Wu. She’s the CEO of AMNESIA Media, an ad tech platform that intelligently serves ads to new cannabis consumers through the power of content creators. She is dedicated to building communities and relationships to bring cannabis content to people where they already live digitally — meeting people where they are, as they are, and authentically providing leadership through support.
Why do you think women are so underrepresented in leadership roles in cannabis?
I could say the obvious answer is gender bias, lack of access to capital, work-life balance, or stereotypes — and I will. However, there’s more to the story. Here’s the thing: the guys in control hire their buddies to work for them. It’s a nepotistic field, so it really comes down to the individuals in positions of power to demand to have underrepresented parties on their team.
What are some ways in which companies can support gender diversity at senior levels?
Men have been conditioned to stand up and ask for what they want/need, whereas women have been historically encouraged to “stay in the kitchen” and aren’t really encouraged to grandstand their accomplishments in the way that men are. Companies can support women by listening to us and encouraging us to speak up.
Shout out your other favorite women-owned or women-led businesses in the industry.
I have a few faves!
Wandering Bud: They create beautiful, hand-crafted, ceramic smoking pieces that you can display as art when you’re not using.
Sackville & Co: They create edgy apparel and functional pieces for the cool stoner.
Tahira Rehmatullah: She’s an investor, entrepreneur, advisor, and author recently on our podcast, Roots to Risk — an industry gem jam-packed with knowledge and experience.
Blunt Brunch: They have chapters nationwide that host events for women in cannabis to meet and empower each other.
Who/what are your favorite tools and resources in the industry?
Green Check Verified provides banking services for the cannabis industry. A great solution for new ventures in the industry.
I’m not sure if she’s a resource, but one of my favorite cannabis influencers is @jessaland. Her content is hilarious but also useful. She shows new ways to clean your glass pieces, and she can turn anything into a smoking device. I’ve seen her make a steamroller out of a Twinkie … where there’s a will, there’s a way, lol!
What advice would you give your 25-year-old self? What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?
I just turned 26, so I might not have much advice for my 25-year-old self yet — but I can confidently say hundreds of women came before me and paved the way for me to be sitting where I am. And I want them to know that I see them.
For example, my mom has been in sales her whole life and is often (still) the only woman in the room in professional settings. From a young age, I watched her uplift and nurture her team, making accommodations for them so they could pick up kids from school, allowing them to work from home (before it was hip), and countless other things she did to make the people around her feel seen and heard.
I strive to be that kind of person. In honor of these women, I WILL be this kind of person.
Advice for the next generation … yes. A rising tide lifts all boats. Uplift those around you, and that goodwill will come back around to you.
Is there anything we left out that you’d like to add?
Yes, a charge. The only way any meaningful change will occur is if the men currently in leadership positions make an active, conscious choice to put women in leadership positions. Women can support each other all day, but without buy in from everyone, nothing will change.
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