Leading the Way
in Cannabis Financial Services

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.

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.

Scheri Mathaya is a creative powerhouse and a true Jane of All Trades, fueled by a passion for storytelling, community, and culture. Originally from Minnesota, she moved to California in 2017 to pursue her vision in the cannabis space—and hasn’t looked back since. With a strong background in sales, field marketing, brand development, and consumer engagement, Scheri is known for bringing brands to life through strategy, creativity, and meaningful 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, expressing herself through fashion, and immersing herself in culture and design.

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.

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 Canlapan, 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 Verdant Strategies 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.

Alexis holds both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. Last year, she completed her Professional Education and successfully passed the teacher licensure exam. Although her background includes teaching, Alexis finds genuine fulfillment in accounting work—a field she has specialized in for over three years, with strong experience in both accounting and bookkeeping.

Outside of work, Alexis is a passionate K-pop fan and loves attending concerts. She also enjoys spending time with her niece and describes herself as outgoing and sociable—always happy to connect with others anytime, anywhere.

Gianne is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with five years of experience in audit and accounting. She began her career as an audit associate at the Big 4 Firms collaborating with clients in manufacturing, IT services, and real estate. Gianne then transitioned to an accounting role and took on the role of an accounts payable supervisor. In accounts payable, she managed reports, reconciliations, tax filings, and processed improvements. 

Outside of work, Gianne loves traveling and exploring new places and cultures. She also enjoys trying out different coffee shops, discovering new brews, and playing with her dogs during her free time. 

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.

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.

Gianne is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with five years of experience in audit and accounting. She began her career as an audit associate at the Big 4 Firms collaborating with clients in manufacturing, IT services, and real estate. Gianne then transitioned to an accounting role and took on the role of an accounts payable supervisor. In accounts payable, she managed reports, reconciliations, tax filings, and processed improvements. 

Outside of work, Gianne loves traveling and exploring new places and cultures. She also enjoys trying out different coffee shops, discovering new brews, and playing with her dogs during her free time. 

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.

John brings over three years of experience as an Accounting Specialist at a local private firm, two years as an Accounting Trainer, and more than two years of combined experience as a Tax Preparer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Passionate about travel, John hopes to one day call Japan his permanent home—drawn to its culture, safety, and lifestyle. A true coffee enthusiast, he finds joy and relaxation in playing volleyball and badminton, and enjoys exploring new sports whenever he can.

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

With a bachelor's degree in Accountancy from the Philippines, Kate brings over six years of experience in end-to-end bookkeeping and accounting, supporting clients across the U.S., Australia, and the Philippines. She is also certified in various accounting software.

Outside of work, she enjoys tending to her succulent garden, watching movies, and diving into books on her Kindle.

Gianne is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with five years of experience in audit and accounting. She began her career as an audit associate at the Big 4 Firms collaborating with clients in manufacturing, IT services, and real estate. Gianne then transitioned to an accounting role and took on the role of an accounts payable supervisor. In accounts payable, she managed reports, reconciliations, tax filings, and processed improvements. 

Outside of work, Gianne loves traveling and exploring new places and cultures. She also enjoys trying out different coffee shops, discovering new brews, and playing with her dogs during her free time. 

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 multistate businesses. In her free time, Tina enjoys camping at the beach with her family and friends.

Gianne is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with five years of experience in audit and accounting. She began her career as an audit associate at the Big 4 Firms collaborating with clients in manufacturing, IT services, and real estate. Gianne then transitioned to an accounting role and took on the role of an accounts payable supervisor. In accounts payable, she managed reports, reconciliations, tax filings, and processed improvements. 

Outside of work, Gianne loves traveling and exploring new places and cultures. She also enjoys trying out different coffee shops, discovering new brews, and playing with her dogs during her free time. 

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.