Shanita Penny

Shanita is a senior vice president in FTP’s public affairs practice, where she leads cannabis-focused public affairs and stakeholder engagement strategies for clients across regulated industries. A versatile strategist and coalition builder, she helps clients navigate complex policy debates, manage reputational risk, and design advocacy programs that center equity and responsible regulation.

Before joining FTP, Shanita founded Budding Solutions, a boutique cannabis consultancy that helped businesses establish and scale compliant operations, and co‑founded DocHouse, a craft cannabis cultivator and manufacturer later acquired by Ayr Wellness. She previously served as vice president and president of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, where she advanced social equity policies, led policy summits and advocacy campaigns, and helped shape model ordinances that informed cannabis equity programs nationwide.

Earlier in her career, Shanita built a track record as a management consultant supporting Fortune 500 companies, holding roles with PepsiCo, Molson Coors (formerly Miller Brewing Company), McCormick & Company, and Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software). Across these roles she focused on strategic management, supply chain and logistics, and business performance improvement—experience she now brings to clients working at the intersection of public policy, operations, and market growth.

In addition to her client work, Shanita remains deeply engaged in national cannabis policy through leadership roles with advocacy organizations and advisory boards, and as a frequent speaker and media commentator on the future of the regulated cannabis industry.