Colin Kelley is a Senior Operating Partner at Merida Capital Holdings, one of the leading cannabis private equity funds.  In this role he has been involved in the investment selection of the more than 80 portfolio companies.  Primarily, he has helped build 95 cannabis operations in 14 markets. Additionally, Colin has conducted extensive research in the hemp derived market – including manufacturing, distribution, retail and brand management.

He also is a board member of six cannabis companies, a cannabis point of sale software company, and a cannabis licensing company, The Kind Group

Prior to joining Merida Colin served as a board member for LeafLine Labs, one of two licensees in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program.  At LeafLine he also filled the role of Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President of the Wellness (CBD) division.  During that time, he oversaw the expansion of LeafLine from a paper license with no employees to a thriving operation with 8 dispensaries, a cultivation and manufacturing facility, and more than 200 employees.

Before joining the cannabis industry Colin held leadership roles at Dun & Bradstreet, State Street Bank, Wind River Capital Management, the SAP Business Incubator, and the Civilian Research and Development Fund – specifically leading the denuclearization of Libya.  He attended Bryant University in Rhode Island and earned a Bachelor of Science of Business Administration with a dual concentration in Finance and Management.