Meet the Team

Sierra Elaina, Chief Executive Officer

Brand builder, deal maker, people leader and passionate entrepreneur, Sierra Elaina is Chief Executive Officer of Lehua Brands, a global portfolio of premium cannabis infused products based in California and Canada.  With more than two decades growing brands in regulated markets, Sierra continues to blaze new trails with breakthrough products and go-to-market strategies that deliver results. As a leader in global market development working on Diageo brands, Punching Mule, and Belgravia Imports, and owning her own strategic marketing  agency, she gained expertise navigating the complexities of three-tiered distribution systems. Building on that knowledge, Sierra became an early pioneer in legal cannabis launching premium edibles brand Coda Signature in over 400 stores in California in less than 18 months, repositioning Om Living, craft edibles and topicals in preparation for Series B fundraising and now propelling the next phase of growth for Lehua through product line innovation and regional and global market expansion.

As a seasoned marketer, sales leader, product innovator and inspiring team builder, Sierra speaks at conferences on multiple topics including Leading Through Change, Understanding the Consumer Mindset and Building Purpose-Led Brands.  

Todd Menaker, VP of Development

Passionate research and development leader with world class culinary expertise, Todd brings over three decades of experience creating award-winning products for beloved brands including Trader Joes, Tillamook Ice Cream, Sun Maid, Kraft, Coda Signature and Wolfgang Puck.  When he is not setting Guinness Book of World Records for constructing 5.5 ton Rice Krispy treats, Todd applies his culinary genius at Lehua to product formulation, recipe development, new product and idea pipeline development, stage gate process, co-manufacturing, ingredient application, scale up and commercialization.

Thomas Riddle, VP of Operations

A cannabis veteran with experience leading operations at 710 labs, Cathedral City Cannabis Company (C4), Tikun Olam, Med Men and now Lehua, Tom is an established expert on cannabis manufacturing from seed to shelf.  With domain expertise that includes strategic planning, manufacturing operations, policy and procedure, packing, quality control and logistics, Tom is a team leader adept at implementing best practices and motivating peak performance across internal and co-manufacturing teams. 

Yorgi Spanos, Director of Marketing

A dynamic architect of luxury consumer brands, Yorgi brings premium design and digital marketing expertise to Lehua. As co-founder and Creative Director of high-profile men’s accessories brand, Manssion, Yorgi has grown a direct-to-consumer company from zero to millions with features in GQ, Men’s Journal and Vogue magazine. Prior to Manssion, Yorgi mastered the three-tiered distribution model of the liquor industry with leadership roles in sales and marketing for Young’s Market and Sagamore Spirit, and the complexity of the cannabis regulatory environment with packaging and field sales experience at award-winning luxury cannabis brand, Coda Signature.

Paulina Zyniewicz, Corporate Controller

With over seven years as a financial executive in the manufacturing industry and three-plus years in private equity, Paulina has the business, financial, and analytic skills to help a fast-growing business like Lehua Brands excel.  As Corporate Controller, she oversees all financial operations of the business, including budgeting, accounting, financial planning and analysis, tax compliance, ensuring that accounting practices adhere to legal standards, and managing the financial reporting process.