Rachel Wright, MST, CPA, is the CEO of VERDANT Strategies & 420 CPA, financial services firms with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Nice, France. Rachel provides comprehensive accounting, tax, fractional CFO services, and consulting to cannabis companies globally, supporting them in launching, growing, and achieving financial sustainability through a holistic approach that ensures growth and scalability.
 
With her CPA designation, a master's degree in taxation, and a Graduate Degree in International Taxation, Rachel offers essential guidance on tax planning, entity formation, and regulatory compliance. She also has experience as an audit committee chairperson for a publicly traded cannabis company, demonstrating her deep industry expertise.
 
Rachel's collaborative approach builds lasting partnerships with her clients, helping them navigate complex financial challenges with confidence. As a thought leader, she shares her insights at prestigious events such as Benzinga and the Cannabis Summit and contributes to publications like Bloomberg Tax, MJBiz Daily and the LA Daily Journal. She also serves on an international committee with the International Cannabis Bar Association and the advisory board of the Cannabis Summit, advancing the global cannabis sector and ensuring the financial success of the businesses she serves.

Former Senior Executive in Banking, with 17 years of cannabis experience as a 6x founder (3 that were multi-state, 1 that he took public). Chris successfully raised capital for all 6 businesses, achieving 4 successful exits, and still operating 2- Including the nation's first cannabis lounge that is both state licensed for cannabis drinks and fully state licensed to sell alcohol at the same bar. He also developed the nation's largest regulated cannabis delivery in the early 2010's, the nations first multi-state retail delivery, and the first multi-state wholesale distribution company. Chris has founded and developed licensed cannabis operations in 5 states - both in regulated cannabis and in hemp - with experience in retail brick & mortar, retail delivery, distribution, and some cultivation, manufacturing & product development. He also founded, developed, and currently serves as Chair of the Board of The Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest trade associations in the cannabis industry, which has local regional leadership teams in key metro markets across the US, Canada, and Europe. Chris has experience as a small business founder, mid-size business owner, public company CEO, Board Director, fractional CEO, and consultant working with small businesses up to multi-national corporations. Chris has proven an ability to predict significant market movements, and has been published in Forbes, Rolling Stone and others as a thought leader in both cannabis and AI.

Charlene is a trusted leader and management consultant with over 25 years of experience in driving high-stakes programs and building top-performing teams. After a successful career in healthcare, she transitioned to the cannabis industry, where she advocates for plant medicine and federal legalization. Charlene is passionate about using cannabis as a tool for policy reform, healthcare equity, and improving the quality of life for users.

With expertise in leading through change, aligning people, processes, and technology, Charlene excels in fast-paced environments and fosters collaboration. She is committed to working with mission-driven cannabis companies to drive sustainable, inclusive change.

Stephanie Cuffy-Jeffries joined 420 CPA as Business Development Administrator in 2023. With four years of experience supporting executives, she excels in optimizing business operations and fostering partnerships. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys video games, anime, and working on independent films.Stephanie Cuffy-Jeffries joined 420 CPA as Business Development Administrator in 2023.

Scheri Mathaya is a creative powerhouse and a Jane of All Trades, driven by a passion for storytelling, community, and culture. Originally from Minnesota, she moved to California in 2017 to pursue her dreams in the cannabis space—and never looked back. With a background in sales, field marketing, brand development, and consumer engagement, Scheri is known for bringing brands to life through strategy, creativity, and connection. Whether she’s crafting content, producing events, or designing digital experiences, she leads with authenticity, joy, and intention. Outside of work, she enjoys creating digital art, exploring new places, curating streetwear looks, and immersing herself in culture and design.

Ashley Ondrias joined 420 CPA as an Office Assistant in 2024. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys Horseback riding, and watching Formula 1

Mary Ann Gazzingan, CPA, has nearly 10 years of experience in accounting, serving clients from Australia, the US, and the Philippines. With her extensive skills, she brings high-quality service to 420 CPA clients. Outside work, Mary Ann enjoys recording music, playing mobile games, and watching documentaries.

Milen Gomez has over six years of experience in accounting for US and Hong Kong entities. She specializes in taxes, payroll processing, and improving accounting efficiency. In her free time, Milen loves spending time with her family, reading, and traveling to new destinations.

Alyssa is a skilled accounting and tax professional with over 5 years of experience in managing complex financial operations. She specializes in tax preparation, filing, and compliance, ensuring accuracy and adherence to regulations. With expertise in full-cycle accounting, Alyssa manages accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and financial reporting, driving efficiency and maintaining financial integrity. Her attention to detail and ability to streamline processes contribute significantly to operational success. Outside of her professional work, Alyssa enjoys exploring her creative side through portrait drawing, painting, and watching films.

Melissa Walters joined 420 CPA in 2018 and focuses on client relations, tax notices, and project management. With a passion for seeing projects through to completion, she ensures clients are satisfied with the results. Outside of work, Melissa loves hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Alyssa is a skilled accounting and tax professional with over 5 years of experience in managing complex financial operations. She specializes in tax preparation, filing, and compliance, ensuring accuracy and adherence to regulations. With expertise in full-cycle accounting, Alyssa manages accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and financial reporting, driving efficiency and maintaining financial integrity. Her attention to detail and ability to streamline processes contribute significantly to operational success. Outside of her professional work, Alyssa enjoys exploring her creative side through portrait drawing, painting, and watching films.

Adrian has a strong background in accounting and a proven track record of delivering accurate financial insights, positioning him as an effective contributor to clients’ needs. In his previous roles, he has successfully handled responsibilities relevant to bookkeeping, including daily tasks, reconciliation, financial analysis, budgeting, and journal entry management. Adrian is skilled in leveraging accounting software like QuickBooks Online (QBO) and Xero to enhance financial processes. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting and five years of experience, Adrian has a solid grasp of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and a keen eye for detail. While he is not a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), his commitment to delivering high-quality work ensures that clients feel secure about their business’s financial health. Outside of his professional life, Adrian enjoys playing the guitar, immersing himself in anime, and gaming. These hobbies fuel his creativity and provide balance in his day-to-day life.

Melissa Walters joined 420 CPA in 2018 and focuses on client relations, tax notices, and project management. With a passion for seeing projects through to completion, she ensures clients are satisfied with the results. Outside of work, Melissa loves hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Monica Villanueva is a Certified Financial Market Professional (CFMP) and Certified Bookkeeper (MICB) with extensive experience in accounting and tax compliance for international businesses. She is currently handling tax data collection and supports our clients with accounting services needed before finalizing the tax returns. Monica enjoys watching movies, travelling, and trying adventurous activities in her free time.

Adrian has a strong background in accounting and a proven track record of delivering accurate financial insights, positioning him as an effective contributor to clients’ needs. In his previous roles, he has successfully handled responsibilities relevant to bookkeeping, including daily tasks, reconciliation, financial analysis, budgeting, and journal entry management. Adrian is skilled in leveraging accounting software like QuickBooks Online (QBO) and Xero to enhance financial processes. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting and five years of experience, Adrian has a solid grasp of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and a keen eye for detail. While he is not a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), his commitment to delivering high-quality work ensures that clients feel secure about their business’s financial health. Outside of his professional life, Adrian enjoys playing the guitar, immersing himself in anime, and gaming. These hobbies fuel his creativity and provide balance in his day-to-day life.

Clarissa Maglalang is an experienced Client Accounting Services Specialist and US Tax Accountant with a solid background in various sectors, including government, public, and private entities. With a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Clarissa brings over seven years of professional experience to her role, specializing in US accounting, bookkeeping, and taxation for the past four years. Her extensive knowledge and expertise in accounting and taxation, combined with her diverse work experience, make her a valuable asset to her clients.
Outside of work, Clarissa is passionate about maintaining a balanced lifestyle. She enjoys traveling, visiting beaches, hiking, and nature tripping, allowing her to recharge and connect with nature. Clarissa's dedication to both her profession and personal growth ensures she continues to thrive, offering exceptional services to clients while maintaining a healthy, well-rounded life

Roni Ryckman began in her career in the “Big 4” working at KMPG Peat Marwick. She worked her way through college as a bookkeeper while also learning Tax Preparation. After a couple years, Roni transitioned into private practice as it became more fulfilling. Working with small/medium size businesses became Roni’s passion as she became skilled at best practices, workflow and set-up and training bookkeeping staff. Roni graduated from San Diego State University and enjoyed the community so much she decided to establish San Diego as her home base with her family. She has specialized in the construction industry for most of her 2 decades of practice but has branched out into other areas as well following the demands of other industries. She loves a challenge and has never met a set of books she could not “fix”. Roni loves to travel with her children, most often abroad including Italy where her family originated. She was a musician long before an accountant and loves to write and perform music whenever time allows.

Tina Suarez has over 25 years of experience as a Human Resource Manager, specializing in strategic HR planning, payroll, compliance, and employee relations. She excels in developing HR policies and compensation programs for California-based and multi-state businesses. In her free time, Tina enjoys camping at the beach with her family and friends.

Simon Menkes brings over two decades of accounting expertise across diverse industries, specializing in cannabis, technology, real estate, and finance. A Princeton graduate and licensed CPA in California, Simon combines technical acumen with strategic foresight to empower businesses in achieving their financial goals.

Anna brings over 5 years of comprehensive accounting experience, having worked with a diverse range of businesses across the United States. Her expertise spans across various industries, making her a versatile asset in the field. Outside of work, Anna is passionate about traveling, staying active through workouts and sports, and unwinding with a good movie.