Shauna Blackburn is a seasoned insurance professional with over 25 years of experience and a deep focus on the cannabis industry. Currently, she serves as Executive Vice President of Underwriting and Development at CIS Insurance Services LLC (The Cannabis Insurance Company), where she leads underwriting
and business development efforts and spearheads the launch of CIS Plus+—a division aimed at serving ancillary, non-plant-touching cannabis-related businesses nationwide.

Before joining CIS, Shauna served as the Cannabis Team Lead at Blitz, where she played a multifaceted role in the development and expansion of the company’s well known and successful cannabis insure tech programs. She initially oversaw underwriting operations, developed with in a team program guidelines, platform rules, rate mitigation, and form development, and contributed to broadening the company’s offerings within the cannabis sector. Over time, she also became a key educator and strategic partner in business development and market discovery.

Previously, she held the role of Executive Accounts Director at Cannabis Connect Insurance Services, focusing on tailored risk management and coverage strategies for licensed cannabis businesses. Earlier in her career, Shauna was Marketing Manager for the Cannabis Division at CannGen Insurance. Shauna also wrote and managed California’s first online rater through and MGA platform at Cambridge General Agency back in the early 2000’s, as a Commercial Surplus Lines Underwriter / Internet Coordinator.

She has also contributed meaningfully to the broader industry by serving as both Chairperson and Vice Chair for the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), helping to shape national conversations around regulation, compliance, and risk mitigation.

Shauna is widely recognized as a thought leader in cannabis insurance. She was named one of Insurance Business America’s Elite Women of Insurance in 2020 for her work in cannabis program development and advocacy. She has been a featured speaker at national events, including moderating a panel at the Insuring Cannabis Summit, and has appeared on the Insurance Journal podcast to share expert insight on federal descheduling, emerging industry risks, risk management and challenges specific to high target commodity businesses. She is frequently quoted in trade publications for her expertise in underwriting frameworks, regulatory impact, and carrier strategy.

Shauna’s underwriting insight, leadership, and ability to navigate the evolving cannabis risk landscape have made her one of the most trusted voices in the industry.

As Founder and CEO of The Cannabis Insurance Company, Lisa brings an exceptional combination of leadership, underwriting expertise, and sales acumen that gives our organization a significant competitive edge.

Lisa is a platinum award-winning insurance executive whose career spans decades of success across multiple sectors. Prior to launching The Cannabis Insurance Company, she served as Director for the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Colorado (PIIAC), where she was instrumental in developing and expanding the Pinnacol Assurance Workers’ Compensation Program—doubling its premium sales from $6 million to $12 million in under four years.

Her underwriting and team-building expertise continued to shine in her role at a Managing General Agency (MGA) serving the outdoor recreation industry. There, she drove an extraordinary tenfold growth in premium volume—from $6 million to $60 million over eight years.
Lisa’s reputation for excellence led numerous industry leaders—including national carriers like Travelers, CNA, and Philadelphia Insurance, as well as independent agencies across Colorado—to seek her guidance in both underwriting and sales strategy. She played a key role in building successful Errors & Omissions programs for independent agents and contributed to the sustained growth of multiple regional organizations.

She also served as Operations Manager at FUSA Insurance Agency, a $130 million firm, where she oversaw internal underwriting and managed 86 branch offices nationwide.

Lisa’s unique ability to scale operations, build high-performing teams, and lead with vision makes her indispensable to The Cannabis Insurance Company. She combines deep industry knowledge with a personal passion for serving the evolving cannabis sector.

When she’s not shaping the future of cannabis insurance, Lisa enjoys trail running, golf, mountain climbing and yoga.

Katelynn Walsh is a dynamic professional with a robust background in servicing and business operations, offering over seven years of proven expertise in driving operational success. Throughout her career, Katelynn has made significant contributions at Canngen and Blitz, where she spent four years at Canngen and three years at Blitz, excelling in roles such as Senior Underwriting Assistant and Business Operations Analyst.

Her extensive experience in servicing, coupled with her strategic problem-solving abilities, allows her to bring both precision and innovation to every project. Katelynn’s sharp attention to detail, combined with her commitment to efficiency, ensures that she consistently delivers results that are not only effective but also client-centered. She has a natural ability to analyze complex situations and craft solutions that align with both business goals and client needs.

Known for her dedication to operational excellence, Katelynn thrives in fast-paced environments and is always looking for ways to streamline processes and improve workflows. Her deep industry knowledge, paired with her proactive and collaborative approach, makes her an invaluable asset to any team. Whether tackling complex projects or ensuring seamless service delivery, Katelynn’s passion for making a meaningful impact shines through in everything she does.