2025 Board of Directors Nominees

Ashish Singhal | CEO - CanSat Consulting Inc

Ashish Singhal is a trusted and recognized leader in global cannabis regulatory compliance and quality management. As the Founder and Principal at CanSat Consulting Inc., Ashish has guided cannabis companies in attaining GPP, GACP, IMC-GAP, EU-GMP compliance and strategically prepping them for international exports. He has helped companies establish clear, efficient and auditable QMS. His expertise spans the Cannabis Regulations, GPP, GMP GACP, IMC-GAP, EU-GMP, HACCP, SFCR, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, ISO 9001, Canada Organic Regime, and Non-Project GMO. Ashish works as a Quality Lead and QAP for clients and holds active Health Canada Security Clearance. 

He has also been selected as a lead auditor for a global certification body to audit companies under GACP, IMC-GAP, and EU-GMP standards.  Ashish is also a co-founder of SIAS Solutions Inc., a regulatory and pharmacovigilance firm supporting pharmaceutical and life sciences clients. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Program Advisory Committee for the Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Research Program at Conestoga College and teaches regulatory affairs courses as a part-time professor, consistently earning over 90% positive student feedback.

Ashish’s background combines scientific expertise with commercial pragmatism. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, a master’s degree in food science, and a diploma in pharmacovigilance. He completed his master’s degree at the University of Saskatchewan on a full scholarship conducting pioneering research on plant proteins, publishing articles in PubMed and Springer that shaped his deep understanding of cultivation science and product quality. An active speaker, Ashish has been invited to present at the Grow Up, Lucky Leaf Expo, and Sirius XM’s Joint Ventures, and served as a keynote speaker for Eupry, a multimillion-dollar environmental monitoring company in Denmark, on GACP and GMP temperature and humidity compliance in cannabis. He has also contributed to the C-45 Quality Association as a Regulatory Committee member in previous years. He was also featured in a Career Profs @ Conestoga interview titled “Quality Assurance to Entrepreneurship,” sharing insights on building a compliance-focused consulting business.

As a board member, Ashish would bring a collaborative mindset, a passion for elevating

compliance practices, and a commitment to Canada’s evolving cannabis sector from global perspective.

Dharmesh Ahir | Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)

Dharmesh is a highly experienced professional with over a decade of progressive leadership in public and private sector quality assurance and policy development. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional expertise in crafting and executing strategies, operational plans, and policies designed to ensure consumer safety and uphold the highest quality standards. His work spans the cannabis, food, and pharmaceutical industries, with a proven track record of navigating complex regulatory frameworks and driving impactful initiatives.

Since joining Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) in 2019, Dharmesh has been at the forefront of numerous innovative projects. As the Manager of Quality Assurance for Liquor and Cannabis, he played a key role in the legalization of Cannabis Edibles, Extracts & Topicals in Alberta. His leadership helped develop and implement a comprehensive provincial food safety and quality assurance portfolio. Additionally, Dharmesh spearheaded multiple initiatives to modernize quality assurance, streamline supply chain management, and enhance distribution solutions in Alberta. One of Dharmesh's notable achievements was assisting a LP in scaling up the facility and obtaining their cultivation license. His ability to create detailed quality assurance plans and effectively navigate regulatory requirements proved invaluable in facilitating the organization’s growth.

Before making a significant impact in the cannabis sector, Dharmesh gained extensive experience in the food and pharmaceutical industries. He successfully developed a quality assurance system for a century-old agri-food manufacturing facility, helping the company achieve AA ratings in three consecutive BRC food safety audits. Prior to this, Dharmesh led QA programs for a GMP-certified pharmaceutical company, where he oversaw operations at an ISO 17025 certified laboratory, ensuring strict adherence to quality control and regulatory standards. Dharmesh holds a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in India. His academic foundation, combined with his practical experience, has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of both the scientific and regulatory aspects of quality assurance.

Known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, Dharmesh is deeply committed to both learning and serving the community. His ability to problem-solve proactively, navigate complex regulatory environments, and lead teams with a focus on continuous improvement has made him an invaluable asset in every organization he’s been a part of. His unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and operational excellence sets him apart as a leader and innovator in the field. With his extensive experience and passion for the cannabis industry, Dharmesh is a sought-after professional poised to make lasting contributions to the continued advancement of the sector.

Pooneh Piri

Pooneh is a multidisciplinary strategist with over 15 years of experience across tightly regulated industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, packaging, beverage, and cannabis. She holds two Master’s degrees — in Agricultural Engineering and in Food Safety & Quality Assurance — and has built her career at the intersection of operations, brand development, and regulatory compliance, helping companies navigate complexity while staying grounded in their values.

Her work in the cannabis sector over the past several years reflects a broader mission: to support the emergence of compliant, ethical, and resilient businesses in evolving markets. As a designated Quality Assurance Person (QAP), Pooneh has contributed to some of Canada’s most innovative cannabis ventures — guiding teams through licensing, compliance, and brand strategy with a focus on equity and long-term sustainability.

She brings a systems lens and a risk-based approach to every project, drawing on her cross-industry experience to help leaders build adaptable, values-driven models in times of change.

Rachel Fontain | Laboratoire PhytoChemia

I graduated from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in 2014 with a bachelor’s

degree in Natural Product Chemistry. Following graduation, I moved to British Columbia

to learn English. I fell in love with the province and decided to commence my

professional career there

.

In 2015, I started working as a quality control chemist at Mazza Innovation / Sensient

Natural extraction in North Delta, BC. This role provided me with comprehensive

experience in scaling an extraction facility from pilot to full production. I gained extensive

knowledge in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), food safety protocols, and the

inherent challenges associated with plant-derived materials.

In 2019, I had the opportunity to return to Chicoutimi, Qc, and continue my chemist

journey with Laboratoire PhytoChemia. My responsibilities at PhytoChemia include

overseeing Quality Assurance and providing technical support to our clients, with a

primary focus on the cannabis sector.

I gravitated around the C-45 association since 2021. At the time, I was part of the

laboratory sub-committee. Our goal was to share scientific knowledge to support this

new industry. I love watching this industry growing, and it is thrilling to be part of the

evolution. Looking back at my career path, the main conductor is the love of challenges.

Being part of the C-45 board is the new challenge that I am ready to take on.

Samuel Bouabane| Libra Advisory Inc

Samuel Bouabane is an accomplished quality and regulatory expert with nearly two decades of experience spanning the cannabis, pharmaceutical, food, and clinical research sectors. As Founder and Principal Consultant at Libra Advisory Inc. and formerly Senior Manager, Risk Advisory CCI Deloitte, he has led regulatory strategy and operational development for over 100 companies, navigating complex GxP compliance and project management with precision. Samuel has served in senior leadership roles across a range of organizations—from established pharmaceutical firms like Apotex Inc. to innovative cannabis startups—holding multiple Quality Assurance Person (QAP) designations. With an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and a history of involvement in ASTM D37 and other industry committees, Samuel remains a driving force in quality and regulatory excellence across Canada’s evolving health and wellness landscape.