Board of Directors

An executive with over 30 years of experience building industry-leading, disruptive consumer packaged goods companies from organic and natural foods, dietary supplements, personal care, and cannabis. Before Tilray, Mr. Simon transformed Aphria Inc. into a profitable global cannabis company with leading market share brands.  Mr. Simon founded The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN), a leading organic and natural products company, in 1993.  As Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman, he led Hain Celestial for more than 25 years and grew the business to $3 billion in net sales with operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, providing consumers with A Healthier Way of Life™.  He is also the Executive Chairman of Whole Earth Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: FREE), a global industry-leading platform focused on the “better for you” consumer packaged goods and ingredients space, and Presiding Director at MDC Partners Inc., a provider of marketing, activation and communications solutions and services.

Mr. Simon serves on the board of directors at Tulane University and the Board of Trustees at Poly Prep Country Day School.   A true entrepreneur, Mr. Simon is also the majority owner of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team, and co-owner of St. John’s Edge of the National Basketball League of Canada.

Renah Persofsky has over 40 years of business experience. She presently serves as the Board Chair for BookJane, an innovative technology platform that enhances the opportunity of the gig economy in the healthcare space, and as the executive Chair of Green Gruff, a dog wellness company that produces organic and sustainable dog supplements. Renah also serves on the board of Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. America’s oldest and largest independent wholesaler and manufacturer of hydroponics equipment and grow lights. Recently, Renah was appointed to the board of Alkemy, the world’s first plastic mining company. She has been an executive consultant to many iconic brands including Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire, CIBC, Canada Post and Interac, and was an executive officer of the Bank of Montreal. Ms. Persofsky is a global leader in e-commerce and has co-chaired the Canadian Minister’s Advisory Committee on Electronic Commerce, as well as served as a special advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

A lawyer by trade and an entrepreneur at heart, Jodi L.H. Butts is a mission-oriented executive with a strong track record in driving positive change and growth within leading organizations. Previously, Ms. Butts served as Chief Executive Officer of Rise Asset Development and Senior Vice-President of Operations and Redevelopment at Mount Sinai Hospital. Ms. Butts brings significant governance experience as she currently serves as an independent member of the Board of Directors of Canada Goose Inc.; a member of the Board of Directors of Dot Health; a member of the Board of Governors and Audit Committee of the University of Windsor; and Chair of the Walrus Foundation Board of Directors. She also holds several advisory roles including with Bayshore Home Healthcare and the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation.

David F. Clanachan is Commissioner of the Canadian Premier League, a post he has held since 2018. Mr. Clanachan was also the Chairman of Restaurant Brands International, Canada until 2018. He was named President and Chief Operating Officer of Tim Hortons in 2014, and had more than 35 years with the brand. Mr. Clanachan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor. Mr. Clanachan brings to the Board significant experience in consumer products and services, as well as financial, international growth, and general management experience.

Brendan Kennedy is the former CEO and Founder of Tilray, Inc. Mr. Kennedy brings over 10 years of pioneering experience building industry-leading companies at the forefront of the global cannabis industry. He is also the co-founder of Privateer Holdings, the world's first private equity firm to invest exclusively in legal cannabis, which has raised $200+ million to build a global portfolio of leading cannabis businesses. Before his transformative role in the cannabis industry, Mr. Kennedy was a member of the founding team at SVB Analytics, a non-bank affiliate of Silicon Valley Bank, where he managed an international team that rendered valuation opinions for emerging growth technology, life science, and venture capital companies. He holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley; an M.S. from the University of Washington; and an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management.

John M. Herhalt is a FCPA (FCA) and a retired partner from KPMG and has over 40 years of experience. He has worked across several industry sectors including automotive manufacturing, consumer products, infrastructure, power and utilities, and the public sector. During his time with KPMG, Mr. Herhalt served as Canada’s national advisory leader, national public sector leader, and KPMG International’s global head of infrastructure, government, and health care sectors providing subject matter advice and support to various KPMG member firms and their clients on a variety of projects in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. After retiring from KPMG, Mr. Herhalt has continued to provide management consulting services on a part-time basis and serves as a director on several boards.

An accomplished executive with more than 25 years of diverse sports industry experience, Mr. Hopkinson is Executive Vice President of Madison Square Garden Sports and President of Team Business Operations for MSG’s portfolio of teams which include the New York Knicks (NBA), New York Rangers (NHL) and esports businesses Counter Logic Gaming and Knicks Gaming. Prior to joining MSG Sports, David served as Global Head of Partnerships for Real Madrid Club de Futbol in Madrid, Spain from 2018 to 2020. Mr. Hopkinson spent over 20 years with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) in Toronto, Canada and in his last role with MLSE, he served as Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for all revenue generation across MLSE’s teams; the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA) and Toronto FC (MLS). David has served on the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee at McGill University in Montreal, Canada as well as the Board of Directors of Canada Basketball and Board of Directors of Canada’s Walk of Fame. In 2013, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his Service to Canada.

Tom Looney is the former President of Diageo US Spirits & Canada. In this position Mr. Looney maintained full responsibility for the growth and development of the company’s spirits business in the United States & Canada including brands such as Smirnoff, Crown Royal, Baileys, Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan, and Ketel One. Mr. Looney was also a member of Diageo’s North American Executive Team. Previously, Mr. Looney held the position of President, Diageo Beer Company overseeing US sales, finance, marketing, and innovation teams.

Walter Robb is the former Co-Chief Executive Officer of Whole Foods Market and brings to Aphria a long and varied entrepreneurial history ranging from natural food retailer to farmer to consultant. Mr. Robb joined Whole Foods Market in 1991 and in 2010 was named co-Chief Executive Officer, at which time he joined the Whole Foods Market board of directors. He is a passionate advocate for greater food access in underserved communities and founded the Whole Kids Foundation during his tenure as Co-CEO. In 2017, Mr. Robb transitioned his leadership focus to mentoring and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs through the creation of Stonewall Robb Advisors. Mr. Robb is an Executive in Residence at S2G Ventures and serves on the Board of Directors for Union Square Hospitality Group, The Container Store, FoodMaven, Hungry, HeatGenie and Apeel Sciences.