Safe Harbor Financial Expands Executive Leadership Team with Appointments of Jeffrey Kay as SVP of Marketing and Dominic Marella as VP of Business Development
Safe Harbor Financial has expanded its executive leadership team with two strategic appointments to drive growth in the cannabis financial services sector. The company named Jeffrey Kay as Senior Vice President of Marketing and welcomed back Dominic Marella as Vice President of Business Development.
Kay brings over 30 years of marketing experience, previously serving as CMO at AMMA Investments. He will lead integrated marketing strategy, brand development, and go-to-market execution. Marella, returning after two years, brings expertise in commodities and derivatives, having led cannabis initiatives at Paro and CannaTech Ventures.
Key initiatives include a brand refresh, demand-generation strategy, and partnership marketing program. Both executives join with equity-based incentives, aligning with shareholder interests. The appointments support Safe Harbor's mission to provide compliant, scalable financial solutions to cannabis-related businesses.
Safe Harbor Financial ha ampliato il suo team dirigenziale con due nomine strategiche per stimolare la crescita nel settore dei servizi finanziari per la cannabis. L'azienda ha nominato Jeffrey Kay Senior Vice President of Marketing e ha accolto nuovamente Dominic Marella come Vice President of Business Development.
Kay vanta oltre 30 anni di esperienza nel marketing, avendo ricoperto in precedenza il ruolo di CMO presso AMMA Investments. Guiderà la strategia di marketing integrata, lo sviluppo del brand e l'esecuzione delle attività di go-to-market. Marella, che ritorna dopo due anni, porta competenze nei settori delle materie prime e dei derivati, avendo guidato iniziative legate alla cannabis presso Paro e CannaTech Ventures.
Le iniziative principali includono un restyling del brand, una strategia di generazione della domanda e un programma di marketing basato su partnership. Entrambi i dirigenti entrano con incentivi azionari, in linea con gli interessi degli azionisti. Queste nomine supportano la missione di Safe Harbor di offrire soluzioni finanziarie conformi e scalabili alle aziende del settore cannabis.
Safe Harbor Financial ha ampliado su equipo ejecutivo con dos nombramientos estratégicos para impulsar el crecimiento en el sector de servicios financieros para el cannabis. La compañía nombró a Jeffrey Kay como Vicepresidente Senior de Marketing y dio la bienvenida nuevamente a Dominic Marella como Vicepresidente de Desarrollo Comercial.
Kay aporta más de 30 años de experiencia en marketing, habiendo sido anteriormente CMO en AMMA Investments. Liderará la estrategia de marketing integrada, el desarrollo de marca y la ejecución de la entrada al mercado. Marella, que regresa tras dos años, aporta experiencia en materias primas y derivados, habiendo liderado iniciativas de cannabis en Paro y CannaTech Ventures.
Las iniciativas clave incluyen una renovación de la marca, una estrategia de generación de demanda y un programa de marketing de asociaciones. Ambos ejecutivos se incorporan con incentivos basados en acciones, alineados con los intereses de los accionistas. Los nombramientos apoyan la misión de Safe Harbor de proporcionar soluciones financieras conformes y escalables a negocios relacionados con el cannabis.
Safe Harbor Financial는 대마초 금융 서비스 분야의 성장을 촉진하기 위해 두 명의 전략적 임원을 영입하여 경영진 팀을 확장했습니다. 회사는 Jeffrey Kay를 마케팅 수석 부사장으로 임명하고, Dominic Marella를 사업 개발 부사장으로 다시 맞이했습니다.
Kay는 AMMA Investments에서 최고 마케팅 책임자(CMO)로 근무한 경력을 포함해 30년 이상의 마케팅 경험을 보유하고 있습니다. 그는 통합 마케팅 전략, 브랜드 개발 및 시장 진출 실행을 이끌 예정입니다. Marella는 2년 만에 복귀했으며, Paro와 CannaTech Ventures에서 대마초 관련 프로젝트를 주도한 상품 및 파생상품 전문 지식을 가지고 있습니다.
주요 과제로는 브랜드 리프레시, 수요 창출 전략, 파트너십 마케팅 프로그램이 포함됩니다. 두 임원 모두 주식 기반 인센티브를 받아 주주 이익과 일치합니다. 이번 임명은 대마초 관련 기업에 적법하고 확장 가능한 금융 솔루션을 제공하려는 Safe Harbor의 사명을 지원합니다.
Safe Harbor Financial a renforcé son équipe de direction avec deux nominations stratégiques pour stimuler la croissance dans le secteur des services financiers liés au cannabis. La société a nommé Jeffrey Kay au poste de Senior Vice President Marketing et a accueilli de nouveau Dominic Marella en tant que Vice President Business Development.
Kay apporte plus de 30 ans d'expérience en marketing, ayant précédemment été CMO chez AMMA Investments. Il dirigera la stratégie marketing intégrée, le développement de la marque et l'exécution des plans de mise sur le marché. Marella, de retour après deux ans, possède une expertise en matières premières et dérivés, ayant dirigé des initiatives cannabis chez Paro et CannaTech Ventures.
Les initiatives clés comprennent un rafraîchissement de la marque, une stratégie de génération de la demande et un programme de marketing partenarial. Les deux cadres rejoignent l'entreprise avec des incitations basées sur des actions, alignées sur les intérêts des actionnaires. Ces nominations soutiennent la mission de Safe Harbor de fournir des solutions financières conformes et évolutives aux entreprises liées au cannabis.
Safe Harbor Financial hat sein Führungsteam mit zwei strategischen Ernennungen erweitert, um das Wachstum im Finanzdienstleistungssektor für Cannabis voranzutreiben. Das Unternehmen ernannte Jeffrey Kay zum Senior Vice President Marketing und begrüßte Dominic Marella als Vice President Business Development zurück.
Kay bringt über 30 Jahre Marketingerfahrung mit, zuvor war er CMO bei AMMA Investments. Er wird die integrierte Marketingstrategie, Markenentwicklung und Markteinführungsmaßnahmen leiten. Marella, der nach zwei Jahren zurückkehrt, verfügt über Expertise im Bereich Rohstoffe und Derivate und leitete Cannabis-Initiativen bei Paro und CannaTech Ventures.
Zu den zentralen Initiativen gehören eine Markenauffrischung, eine Nachfragegenerierungsstrategie und ein Partnerschaftsmarketingprogramm. Beide Führungskräfte erhalten aktienbasierte Anreize, was mit den Interessen der Aktionäre übereinstimmt. Die Ernennungen unterstützen die Mission von Safe Harbor, konforme und skalierbare Finanzlösungen für cannabisbezogene Unternehmen bereitzustellen.
- Strategic expansion of executive team with experienced cannabis industry veterans
- Addition of 30-year marketing veteran Jeffrey Kay as SVP Marketing from AMMA Investments (multi-state cannabis operator)
- Return of Dominic Marella bringing fintech and cannabis sector expertise from successful roles at Paro and Abaca
- Equity-based incentives for new executives align with shareholder interests
- Planned implementation of new demand-generation strategy and partnership marketing program
- Additional executive compensation and equity incentives may increase operational expenses
Company Strengthens Strategic Growth Initiatives with Cannabis Industry Veterans
GOLDEN, Colo., April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor Financial (“Safe Harbor” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SHFS), a fintech leader providing financial services and credit facilities to the regulated cannabis industry, announced two strategic appointments to its leadership team: Jeffrey Kay as senior vice president of Marketing and the return of Dominic Marella as vice president of Business Development.
Together, Kay and Marella will play key roles in expanding Safe Harbor’s national footprint, enhancing client services and elevating brand visibility—supporting the Company’s mission to deliver compliant, scalable and technology-driven financial solutions to cannabis-related businesses (CRBs).
“Safe Harbor is entering a new phase of accelerated growth, innovation and market leadership,” said Terry Mendez, CEO of Safe Harbor Financial. “The appointments of Jeff and Dom represent a strategic investment in both our brand and business development engine. Jeff’s marketing acumen and Dominic’s deep relationships and experience across the cannabis sector give us an unmatched edge in serving the evolving needs of cannabis operators and financial institutions.”
Jeffrey Kay, a seasoned marketing executive with over 30 years of experience, most recently served as chief marketing officer at AMMA Investments, a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator. He previously founded Brandfan, a marketing agency with a diverse client roster across cannabis, retail, technology and consumer goods. In his new role, Kay will lead integrated marketing strategy, brand development and go-to-market execution, driving demand generation, sales enablement and strategic partnerships.
“I’m honored to join Safe Harbor at such a pivotal time,” said Jeff Kay, senior vice president of Marketing. “The opportunity to shape the strategic evolution of the brand and drive measurable results for our clients and partners is incredibly exciting.”
Dominic Marella rejoins Safe Harbor following nearly two years of entrepreneurial and fintech leadership outside the organization. A veteran of the commodities and derivatives sector, Marella brings deep experience navigating highly regulated industries. He previously led the cannabis vertical at Paro, a digital-first accounting platform, where he supported cannabis entrepreneurs navigating Illinois’ adult-use dispensary licensing process. As vice president of business development at Abaca—a company acquired by Safe Harbor in 2022—Marella led national sales efforts and was instrumental in integrating cannabis financial solutions post-acquisition. Most recently, he ran CannaTech Ventures, an incubator helping launch innovative cannabis technology startups.
“Returning to Safe Harbor feels like a homecoming,” added Dominic Marella, vice president of Business Development. “Our team has a powerful mission and a clear opportunity to help lead financial innovation in the cannabis sector. I’m excited to capitalize on our strong foundation—partnering with operators, legacy businesses and newcomers to the space to deliver scalable, tech-forward financial solutions.”
Key initiatives under Kay’s leadership include a brand refresh, a comprehensive demand-generation strategy and a new partnership marketing program. Marella will focus on expanding Safe Harbor’s business development operations nationally, with an emphasis on strategic client acquisition, channel partnerships and tailored financial solutions that meet the unique needs of cannabis operators navigating complex regulatory frameworks.
Both Kay and Marella join the Company with equity-based incentives, aligning their long-term interests with those of shareholders.
About Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor is among the first service providers to offer compliance, monitoring and validation services to financial institutions that provide traditional banking services to cannabis, hemp, CBD and ancillary operators, making communities safer, driving growth in local economies and fostering long-term partnerships. Safe Harbor, through its financial institution clients, implements high standards of accountability, transparency, monitoring, reporting and risk mitigation measures while meeting Bank Secrecy Act obligations in line with FinCEN guidance on cannabis-related businesses. Over the past decade, Safe Harbor has facilitated more than
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included herein may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to trends in the cannabis industry, including proposed changes in U.S and state laws, rules, regulations and guidance relating to Safe Harbor’s services; Safe Harbor’s growth prospects and Safe Harbor’s market size; Safe Harbor’s projected financial and operational performance, including relative to its competitors and historical performance; success or viability of new product and service offerings Safe Harbor may introduce in the future; the impact volatility in the capital markets, which may adversely affect the price of Safe Harbor’s securities; the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be brought by or against Safe Harbor; and other statements regarding Safe Harbor’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Safe Harbor’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Safe Harbor undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.
Safe Harbor Investor Relations Contact
Mike Regan, head of Safe Harbor Investor Relations
ir@SHFinancial.org
Safe Harbor Media Relations Contact
Ellen Mellody
safeharbor@kcsa.com
570-209-2947
FAQ
Who are the new executive leaders joining Safe Harbor Financial (SHFS) in April 2025?
What is Jeffrey Kay's background before joining Safe Harbor Financial (SHFS)?
What are Dominic Marella's key responsibilities at Safe Harbor Financial (SHFS)?
What initiatives will Jeffrey Kay lead at Safe Harbor Financial (SHFS)?
How are the new executives' interests aligned with Safe Harbor Financial (SHFS) shareholders?
