Leili Fatehi, Partner & Consulting Strategic Advisor

A driving force behind Minnesota’s cannabis legalization, Leili is one of the chief architects of the Minnesota Model—the nation’s most progressive and disruptive cannabis policy framework. As a strategist at the intersection of politics, policy, and industry development, she has been instrumental in shaping both the legal landscape and the business ecosystem that define Minnesota’s cannabis market today.

Leili’s adept understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks, combined with her coalition-building and negotiating skills, were at the helm of the MN is Ready campaign that culminated in the 2023 legislative approval of adult-use cannabis in Minnesota. These same skills have made her a trusted advisor to industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs alike.

Leili is the owner and CEO of Leili Crested River Cannabis Company, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of hemp-derived cannabis products and the state’s first cannabis-dedicated beverage production facility. In this role, she leads the company’s growth and innovation as Minnesota’s regulated cannabis market continues to evolve.

As Founding Partner & Consulting Strategic Advisor at Blunt Strategies, Leili continues to provide strategic counsel on select projects, particularly those involving complex policy environments, cannabis market development, and high-stakes public affairs strategy.

Leili holds a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School and a BS in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.