We have a heart for humanity and a passion for Humboldt County. With a host of knowledge and diverse skill sets, we are your advocates, guard dogs, policy wonks, sounding boards, and will be there to give you a high five when you need it. We’ll work hard so you can build your businesses and continue to craft some of the finest cannabis products in the state.
Natalynne, HCGA co-founder and Executive Director, brings more than a decade of experience in organizational development and management and community organizing to the table. Prior to stepping into the role of Executive Director, she acted as HCGA’s Operations Director from 2016- 2020. She’s worked with non-profits, trade associations, on project-based public relations strategies, and election campaigns. She holds a degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Humboldt State University.
Previously Natalynne worked with a regional environmental advocacy organization to protect and restore the forests of Northwest California. During her tenure she developed extensive experience in nonprofit management. In addition, she developed relationships with state and regional legislators and regulators, and built alliances with land managers and owners. Between 2014 and 2015, Natalynne helped facilitate dialogue between environmental organizations, cannabis farmers, and the public. By working across political boundaries Natalynne helped shape Humboldt County’s landmark Medical Marijuana Land Use Ordinance for the benefit of farms, forests and fish. She initially became involved with the burgeoning public discourse of how to effectively regulate cannabis agriculture in 2010 while managing the successful political campaign to re-elect District Attorney Paul Gallegos.
In addition to her work with HCGA, Natalynne is also Executive Director of the Humboldt Community Business Development Center (HCBDC). She holds a certification from the Cascadia Center for Leadership with skills in public engagement and meeting facilitation.
Ross is Policy Director at HCGA, working to manage HCGA’s Government Affairs program at the local, state, and federal level. Prior to coming on board with HCGA, Ross worked as policy staff for California Growers Association, a statewide trade association primarily representing the interests of small, independent, and legacy cannabis farmers in rural California. In 2018, Ross began working for HCGA with a focus on a range of legislative and regulatory policy goals including sustainable rural economic development, the protection of the Humboldt name, and the ability for small and independent businesses to succeed within the regulated cannabis market.
Alegria Sita is the Founding Owner of Gala Events and Weddings, a local event planning company started in 2011. While weddings are the bulk of her business, she also supports businesses with product launches, mixers, workshops, and conferences. In 2018 she assisted HCGA with the Meet the Buyer Conference in Fortuna, CA; and then as an event coordinator she assisted the Historic Eagle House in hosting HCGA’s House of Humboldt in 2019 and several other cannabis industry mixers and events.
Alegria’s love of event planning, organizing and hospitality began at the age of 13 when she worked on producing events for her school. She continued building these skills through college at Humboldt State University. She received her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on Communications and Leadership Studies. Throughout her education, Alegria worked for local non-profits mentoring K-12 youth and supporting them in planning, designing, and implementing their own events.
2015 – 2018 Alegria served as an elected Board Member for the Humboldt County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau promoting tourism; now she serves as Marketing Chair on the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation Board.
Alegria has directly and indirectly been involved with the cannabis community since she moved to Humboldt in 1996. She has developed a love for all things entrepreneurship and is passionate about supporting all Humboldt Businesses to thrive.
