Meet the UpLift Team

As the Vice President of Retail Operations at Uplift Dispensaries, I bring over six years of cannabis experience and more than a decade in management and team development. My passion for cannabis began in 2016, when my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. That moment sparked a deep, personal commitment to the potential of cannabis and the lives it can improve.

I’m incredibly proud to be part of an Ohio-owned and operated company, and I have an unwavering passion for the amazing teams I work with every day. I believe in people, purpose, and showing up with heart. My mission is to serve Ohio with compassion, integrity, and excellence—delivering more than just cannabis, but care and connection to the communities we call home. Cincinnati, in particular, holds a special place in our hearts, and I’m honored to help support and uplift the city that means so much to us.

Email: cpavlak@upliftohio.com

ahamilton@upliftohio.com

charlie@upliftohio.com

I’m Lydia, the Controller for Uplift, bringing 13 years of experience in manufacturing, construction, and retail accounting. I’ve worked across a range of industries, but the cannabis space stands out – not just for its rapid growth and complexity, but the amazing people in it, especially the team here at UpLift. It’s a community full of passionate, driven, and genuinely collaborative individuals, and it’s a pleasure to work alongside them. I handle everything from financial reporting and compliance to process improvements and systems implementation. I’m all about keeping things running smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes so the team and the business can grow with confidence.

Email: lkitzmiller@upliftohio.com

steveneace@mwagauto.com

joshpilcher@mwagauto.com

Hello, I’m Cole, and I serve as the Digital Marketing Specialist and Apparel Designer at UpLift. Through videos, graphics, apparel, and other creative projects, I help tell the UpLift story and bring our brand to life.

My creative background is rooted in my education at the University of Cincinnati, where I earned my undergraduate degree in marketing and am now continuing my studies as a graduate student studying digital marketing. What first drew me to UpLift was its welcoming atmosphere and the incredible people behind the organization. It truly feels like a family, and I’m grateful to have fun doing what I love while contributing to a mission that makes a meaningful difference.

Having grown up in Cincinnati, I’ve always been proud of the city and passionate about everything it has to offer. At UpLift, I’m most inspired by the opportunity to tell compelling stories through video and graphic design creating work that connects with people, strengthens our community, and reflects what makes UpLift special.

Email: cfithen@upliftohio.com

As the Social Media Content Specialist for UpLift, I bring our mission to life across social media by creating engaging, strategic content that connects with current and future customers. With an award-winning background in media production and four years of experience in content creation, I combine storytelling, creativity, and strategy to build meaningful connections through digital content.

opascale@upliftohio.com

maxwilliams@mwagauto.com

Hi, I’m Kyle, and I oversee digital marketing at UpLift, including managing our online accounts. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work closely with the Leadership Team and our brand partners since UpLift’s inception.

My background is rooted in retail management, which led me to a role as a retail specialist at another dispensary. When I discovered UpLift and learned about its core values, I knew immediately that I wanted to be part of this journey.

As a proud Ohioan, I’m deeply passionate about serving our local communities—especially here in Cincinnati. Helping connect patients with the care and education they need is more than just a job; it’s a personal mission that drives everything I do at UpLift.

Email: kgraef@upliftohio.com

My passion for cannabis began six years ago when I started as a budtender. In that role, I had the opportunity to educate a diverse range of customers—helping them find the right products while promoting responsible and informed cannabis use. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of product trends, customer needs, and compliance requirements, which has naturally lead me to become UpLift’s Online Manager. I take pride in curating a thoughtful, diverse product selection that reflects both customer preferences and the company’s commitment to community and wellness.

Email: vwilson@upliftohio.com

I’ve been part of Ohio’s medical cannabis industry for over four years, and my journey began from a personal need for relief. After struggling with undiagnosed endometriosis and finding little help through conventional medicine, I turned to cannabis, and it transformed my quality of life. That experience ignited a passion for the plant and its potential to help others.

As Regional Trainer at UpLift, I lead training for new team members and support the professional development of current staff. I’m passionate about cannabis education and committed to breaking the stigma surrounding its use. I advocate for personalized, science-based care that goes beyond THC percentages to consider the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes.

Working for an organization that prioritizes patient-centered care, education, and community impact is truly fulfilling. I’m proud to be part of a team that is not only changing lives but also shaping the future of cannabis education in Ohio.

Email: hdrury@upliftohio.com

In my current role as Purchasing Manager for Uplift Dispensaries, I have the honor of purchasing the finest quality cannabis products available in Ohio for our patients and customers. My former role as General Manager of the Mount Orab dispensary allowed me the opportunity to learn the brands and products that our patients and customers desire most and I utilize that feedback daily when making purchasing decisions. As a patient in Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Program since its inception, I have witnessed daily how life changing cannabis can be for so many members of our community including my own family and friends.

Being a lifelong resident of Cincinnati, I am proud to say that I am part of an amazing team of passionate individuals who love our community and take pride in their work, answering questions and making recommendations to thousands of people weekly. Saying you care about your community is one thing, but we prove it by being involved in community action efforts around Cincinnati and the Tri-State area. We have collected donations for non-profit organizations, partnered with Habitat for Humanity, and will be participating in an Ohio River Sweep this year. We not only value, support and serve this community, we are part of it!

Email: egibson@upliftohio.com

Hi! I’m Brittney Stanford, the Compliance Manager for UpLift Ohio. I have had the pleasure of working with UpLift since 2022. Throughout my journey, I have had the honor of educating patients and my fellow coworkers. My journey with cannabis started in 2018 when I began working with hemp and CBD products. Through my time in the Cannabis industry, I have gotten to see how cannabis can change people’s lives. Coming from a family of small business owners, working for an Ohio Owned and Operated dispensary means the world to me because we can come together and make our communities great! We have already had so many opportunities to give back to our community and I can’t wait for the next one.

bstanford@upliftohio.com

Hi, I’m Kayla Little, Compliance Manager & Vendor Relations Coordinator. I bring over six years of management experience to the cannabis market, along with more than a decade in retail and marketing.

My journey into cannabis started after dealing with several sports injuries from playing competitive basketball in high school and college. I wanted a more natural way to manage pain—something I could control. With cannabis, I found exactly that: the ability to manage dosage and choose a method that works best for me. It’s helped me relax, find peace, and live a more pain-free life.

In my current role, I love meeting with vendors in person to stay ahead of the curve on new and exciting products. I’m especially passionate about organizing patient education days at our locations—making space for patients and customers to connect directly with the brands they trust, ask questions, and feel more informed about their choices.

Being part of an Ohio-owned and operated company means a lot to me. It’s a privilege to help shift the conversation around cannabis in Southern Ohio—from something once misunderstood to something that’s now changing lives for the better.

Email: klittle@upliftohio.com

Hi, I’m Taylor! I love working at UpLift because of the people! Every person on the crew as well as the customers and patients. They really make coming to work so much easier. I love helping people, especially in the cannabis industry, because of how many misconceptions there are about cannabis and the ways it can help people. I love teaching people new things and new ways to care for themselves. Cannabis has helped me personally for many years with pain and anxiety when other remedies were no use. My greatest accomplishment while working here is moving up through the ranks and being able to help people grow along the way. I hope I make UpLift a fun, supportive, and welcoming environment that encourages people to be themselves and explore alternative medicine. A funny fact about me is that I dropped out of law school 😉

Email: ttucker@upliftohio.com

Working in this industry has been completely life changing. The fulfillment I get from seeing customers leave with smiling faces from the recommendations we give them is unmatched. Being able to help people is one of the biggest perks of the job. It isn’t everyday you find a job that gives you a purpose, but Uplift has done that for me. Being the General Manager has shown me so much about the industry and I continue to fall more in love with it every day.

Email: kwilliams@upliftohio.com

email: dtubbs@upliftohio.com

email: mshrader@upliftohio.com

My enjoyment of cannabis comes from the relief, relaxation, and long-lasting friendships I’ve gained throughout the years. Personal use and curiosity about the many products and variety of uses drew me to this industry. Helping others has always been a passion of mine. This role allows me to pursue two of my deep interests. Uplift has shown me that hard work pays off and the Uplift crew feels like a family. My greatest accomplishment so far as a member of the Uplift team has been my promotion to Assistant General Manager. I feel like my greatest impact is in helping medical patients and the adult use consumers get the information they need to get the results they are looking for and deserve.

Email: dlynch@upliftohio.com

akaraman@upliftohio.com

lstrasser@upliftohio.com