
Team
Who we are
We’re led by a dynamic and experienced cannabis leadership team, a collective force driving innovation, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry.
Leadership Team
Orville Bovenschen
Orville Bovenschen
Orville Bovenschen leads one of the largest and most profitable cannabis operations in the country, with a clear focus on operational excellence, sustainable growth, and international expansion. His focus, grit, and belief that great things are built together define his approach. He has built a reputation for transforming complex operations into scalable, high-performance organizations. His leadership philosophy centers on designing organizations that are ahead of the curve, where strategy, culture, and execution are tightly aligned. He believes great leadership isn’t about creating dependency; it’s about building clarity, structure, and empowered teams capable of executing at a high level long after the leader steps aside. Before joining the cannabis industry, Orville spent more than 15 years managing large-scale infrastructure and construction projects around the world. That global experience and natural instinct for business laid the foundation for his leadership today, blending strategic vision with a hands-on understanding of regulated industries. A graduate of Nyenrode Business University (BBA, MBA), Orville is passionate about people, process, and infrastructure as the foundation for enduring success. His work bridges Canadian leadership and European expansion, helping shape the future of global cannabis.
Rob Baldwin
Rob Baldwin
Rob Baldwin leads cultivation and greenhouse operations for Village Farms’ Canadian Cannabis business, overseeing one of the largest and most advanced cannabis facilities in the country. As Vice President of Cultivation and Greenhouse Operations, he manages the systems, people, and processes that produce consistent, high-quality cannabis at scale. Rooted in a deep respect for plants and the land, Rob combines horticultural expertise with a passion for innovation to continually elevate product quality. Rob leads with curiosity, collaboration, and a belief that the best ideas are grown from the ground up. He inspires a culture of learning and continuous improvement, empowering his team to experiment, adapt, and innovate. His approach blends science with instinct, balancing precision growing techniques with an intuitive understanding of plant health and environmental control. With more than two decades of experience managing greenhouse operations in BC’s Fraser Valley, Rob brings unmatched regional expertise to Village Farms. Before joining the cannabis industry, he served as Grower and Facility Manager at Village Farms, where he led the full conversion of the greenhouse from tomato production to cannabis cultivation. His knowledge of BC’s growing conditions and commitment to quality have been instrumental in establishing Village Farms’ reputation for excellence in Canadian-grown cannabis. Rob is a graduate of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Greenhouse Management Program, where he specialized in Botany, Plant Health, Crop Production, Climate Control, and Pest Management.
Julia Cameron
Julia Cameron
Julia Cameron is a high-impact leader who believes in the power of collaboration to build trust and drive progress. As Vice President of Communications & Corporate Affairs for Village Farms’ Canadian Cannabis division, she leads communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement. Julia shapes the company’s reputation and represents Village Farms in industry groups and government consultations, advocating for a stronger cannabis sector. Julia leads with trust, transparency, and collaboration. She believes great communication connects people to purpose and turns complexity into clarity. Her focus is on creating alignment across teams and industries to deliver meaningful, lasting impact. Before joining Village Farms, Julia spent over a decade at Edelman advising global brands in technology, consumer goods, real estate, and natural resources. Her background in media relations, issues management, and organizational transformation gives her a sharp understanding of how to protect and grow reputation in fast-changing industries. Julia holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of British Columbia and a Diploma in Marketing Management from BCIT, along with certifications in IAP2, mediation, and working with Indigenous Peoples.
Maria Guest
Maria Guest
Maria Guest leads brand and marketing for Village Farms’ Canadian Cannabis business, shaping the creative vision and consumer experience for the company and its brands. Maria also plays a key role in product innovation, guiding how new ideas move from consumer insight to market-ready experiences. As Vice President of Brand, she transforms insight into strategy and ideas into impact, building distinctive brands that drive growth, spark emotion, and define their place in culture. Maria believes the strongest brands create meaningful connection. She leads with intuition, curiosity, and a challenger mindset, fostering a creative environment where insight, design, and storytelling come together to build relevance and momentum. Her approach turns data into direction and creativity into commercial value. With 20 years in brand leadership, Maria has guided some of the most recognizable brands in cannabis and beverage. Before joining Village Farms, she managed global portfolios including Corona, Stella Artois, and Bud Light—developing a deep understanding of consumer behaviour, innovation, and market differentiation. Her experience in regulated industries has shaped her ability to lead with discipline and creativity, helping position Village Farms’ brands as leaders in an increasingly competitive market. Maria has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia and has completed advanced studies in brand leadership and innovation.
Hamid Shekarchi
Hamid Shekarchi
Hamid Shekarchi spearheads financial strategy and performance for Village Farms Canadian Cannabis as Chief Financial Officer. He oversees finance, accounting, and valuations with an operational mindset, ensuring disciplined growth and long-term value creation. Drawn to the complexity of the cannabis sector, Hamid brings a future-focused approach to building systems and governance that deliver industry-leading results. Hamid believes great finance leadership goes beyond numbers: it’s about clarity, accountability, and curiosity. He encourages teams to challenge assumptions and turn complex problems into structured solutions. His approach balances rigor with open-minded thinking, fostering a culture of ownership, humility, and continuous learning. With over 15 years as a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator, Hamid has advised companies across manufacturing, mining, technology, and real estate. Before joining Village Farms, he held senior roles at BDO and PwC, where he co-led BDO’s Western Canada Cannabis Group. His work at the forefront of the emerging cannabis economy has included industry research, university lectures, and presentations at national finance forums. Hamid holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Chartered Business Valuator (CBV), and a recipient of Business in Vancouver’s 2024 Forty Under 40 Award recognizing leadership, impact, and community engagement.
Kyle Watson
Kyle Watson
Kyle Watson leads the commercial engine behind Village Farms’ Canadian Cannabis business. As Vice President of Commercial, he’s focused on one thing: connecting great products with great people. From national retail strategy to wholesale partnerships, Kyle brings a hands-on approach to building relationships that move the business forward and make Village Farms’ brands stand out wherever they appear. Kyle believes business is built person to person, not just brand to shelf. He leads with curiosity and candour, creating space for honest conversations and shared wins. His style blends the mindset of a coach with the drive of a competitor—clear goals, open communication, and an intense focus on performance. Before joining Village Farms, Kyle spent more than a decade at Labatt Breweries, where he led the Beyond Beer division across Western Canada and helped grow some of the country’s most recognized beverage brands. His background in sales, trade marketing, and retail operations gives him a sharp understanding of what it takes to succeed in fast-moving, consumer-driven markets. At Village Farms, he brings that same energy, championing collaboration, execution, and the power of great partnerships. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology in Human Kinetics and Business Management from the University of British Columbia. He applies that mix of strategy and stamina every day, building teams that compete hard, stay agile, and win together.
Edward Woo
Edward Woo
Edward Woo drives international strategy, partnerships, and market expansion for Village Farms’ Canadian Cannabis business. As Vice President of International Business Development, he has delivered exponential growth across global markets, building scalable, sustainable pathways and forging relationships that extend Village Farms’ reach beyond Canada. Edward sees global cannabis as an emerging frontier where disciplined execution and strong partnerships turn opportunity into impact. Edward leads with ambition and precision. He believes progress is achieved through clear strategy, accountability, and decisive action. His leadership blends analytical thinking with cultural awareness, ensuring teams move with purpose and deliver measurable results in complex, competitive environments. With more than two decades in regulated industries, Edward has built and executed international growth strategies across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Before joining Village Farms, he held senior leadership roles at Philip Morris International and Rothmans Benson & Hedges, guiding product launches and regulatory strategies in over 30 markets. His expertise in navigating global frameworks continues to shape Village Farms’ position as a cannabis industry leader. Edward has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Western Ontario. Originally from Toronto, he has lived and worked in New York and Switzerland, bringing a global perspective and commercial discipline to Canada’s evolving cannabis industry.