About Parabola Center

Kristin Souza is stepping into her role as a Digital Marketing Fellow, bringing her dynamic expertise in cannabis marketing, social media strategy, and innovative brand storytelling to the forefront. With a proven track record building genuine online communities, Kristin champions content that speaks to both heart and strategy. She’s passionate about elevating underrepresented voices and she brings a distinctive voice to the industry by encouraging candid and relatable dialogue. Whether through content creation, community education, or direct advocacy, Kristin is committed to reshaping how people connect with cannabis and the people behind it.

Meredith McGee, MPH (she/her), is a public health professional dedicated to bridging the gap between research, community, and education. Her work focuses on cannabis, health equity, and LGBTQ+ communities, with a mission to make public health research more accessible and actionable beyond academia. A seasoned grant writer and fundraiser, Meredith has helped secure over a million dollars in funding to support community-led initiatives. She is especially passionate about connecting cannabis policy to public health infrastructure in ways that center lived experience and promote health justice. Meredith authored Parabola Center’s essay on the drug policy U-curve.

Faith English is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Drug Dependence and Epidemiology Training Program. She received her PhD and MPH from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, her research focuses on the intersection of cannabis legalization, health equity, and criminal justice reform. Dr. English is passionate about exploring the multiple ways in which cannabis and other drug legalization can address the public health crisis of mass incarceration and the war on drugs.

Damian Fagon is a former cannabis regulator for the state of New York, where he served as the inaugural Chief Equity Officer for the Office of Cannabis Management. A third-generation farmer and development economist, Damian blends grassroots agricultural experience with equitable economic policy, advising on cannabis market development and agricultural initiatives internationally. He currently serves as Director of the Bronx Cannabis Hub, building new models and programming for restorative economic justice and community-centered cannabis markets from the ground up. Damian holds a BA from the University of Virginia and an MPA in Economic Development from Columbia University.

Sammie Nitiutomo brings nearly a decade of operations expertise to the fight for equitable cannabis policy. Previously the Operations Lead for Women of Color in Cannabis (WOCC), she has supported the organization's mission since 2019, helping ensure it remained a vital resource for marginalized communities. Sammie is also the founder of SLN Consulting, where she empowers grassroots entrepreneurs—especially businesses led by people with marginalized identities—with scalable, budget-conscious systems that make sustainable growth accessible. Her work centers access, autonomy, and joy, helping clients build infrastructure that reflects their values while increasing impact.

Margeaux (Maggie) was born and raised in Maine. After graduating college, she moved to Shanghai China and was hired as an early member of a fast-growing education technology startup, where she assisted the company with business and product development. After China, she moved back to Maine and was the Director of Operations of a CDC certified harm reduction Syringe Service Program where she helped grow the annual budget from $50,000 to $1.16 million within three years. In 2022, Maggie enrolled in law school at the University of Maine School of Law with a focus on drug policy and cannabis law.

Tyler Giles is the founder & digital strategy director at Hammerhead Strategies, LLC. With a focus on progressive campaigns, advocacy groups, nonprofits, and small businesses, he leads digital fundraising, fundraising strategy, and data‑driven communications efforts. Hammerhead Strategies leverages cutting‑edge online tools and deep internet culture insights to amplify stories, build lasting infrastructure, and drive measurable impact—having helped clients raise thousands of dollars both online and at events. Prior to launching Hammerhead, he built a reputation in the political, hospitality, and non-profit spaces. He leads Parabola Center’s email, social media, outreach, and other digital marketing efforts.

Danielle Schumacher is the Administrative Leadership Director of Parabola Center. Named a High Times Freedom Fighter, she has actively fought for fair and equitable drug policy for over 20 years, including serving as the youngest-ever national board member of NORML. She previously managed the early medical cannabis practice of Dr. Frank Lucido and psychedelics researcher Maria Mangini in Berkeley, CA and served as the first chancellor of Oaksterdam University. Danielle is a mentor for the University of Maryland’s cannabis program and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Roosevelt University.