About Us

Stephanie Bozzuto is an insurance professional with 16 years’ experience in business development, marketing strategy, and insurance coverage analysis. Stephanie is the Co-Founder of Cannabis Connect Insurance, a partner of Acrisure LLC, currently the largest insurance brokerage in the world and fastest growing in industry history. With program management skills, Stephanie has co-developed cannabis insurance product offerings and is utilized as a cannabis insurance expert for other Acrisure insurance brokerages throughout the nation.

Stephanie speaks on multiple platforms and panels about insurance, loss prevention and compliance in the cannabis industry. She is an active member of the Insurance Committee of the California Cannabis Industry Association, Chair Emeritus of the Risk Management & Insurance Committee of the National Cannabis Industry Association and the Chair Emeritus of the Acrisure Cannabis Center of Excellence. Stephanie won Producer of the Year for her outstanding performance at the firm for five consecutive years from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2021, she won Business Insurance’s “Break Out Award” being one of only 40, recognizing the next generation of industry leaders. Stephanie has also made the list of “top producers” at Acrisure in 2021 for her outstanding performance and won “Top Agents of the Year,” in 2021 where only 24 were selected nationally in the prestigious Insurance Journal Magazine.

Stephanie stays on top of industry trends, legislative changes, and insurance coverages to keep her client’s interests first in mind. She has the expertise in setting goals, monitoring projects and evaluating results to ensure her client’s objectives are met. Stephanie Bozzuto is a proven leader who thrives on learning and takes great pride in her work.

Danny educates and empowers his clients when it comes to insurance. He has served on advisory committees, participated as a panelist for risk management and helped develop new insurance programs. Danny is a member of the San Jose Rotary, San Jose Downtown Association, the Silicon Valley Organization, and the Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance. Danny works with Cannabis Connect’s carriers, understanding product exclusions, inclusions and endorsements. Danny’s focus is to ensure Cannabis Connect only sells insurance products that provide you with the right coverage at the right cost.

Andrea has been part of the firm for over 16 years and became a partner in 2014. During this time, Andrea has become a trusted adviser, offering unique insurance and risk management solutions to clients in affordable housing, development, construction and cannabis. Andrea is one of the greatest driven employees at the firm, consistently bringing in some of the largest accounts in the company while earning the title, Sales Manager. Andrea’s expertise in cannabis insurance is substantial with a niche in construction cannabis projects. Andrea’s background in construction and developers give her the ability to insure cannabis projects while under construction and when they are fully operational.

A resident of Forestville, CA, David serves on the board of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. He previously served on the board of a Humboldt County-based coastal conservation organization. David is an alum of Muhlenberg College and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Cindy Ponce is a very experienced broker and has provided insurance coverage to the industry since 2002. Cindy joined the Hayes Cannabis team in 2010 ultimately becoming the department head in 2016.  She later joined the VANTREO cannabis team via an agency consolidation. Well known for her expertise in cannabis coverage, Cindy became the exclusive cannabis broker for Golden Bear in 2017 after collaborating with their team during their entry into the Cannabis insurance market.

Daniel Garcia Jr. has over 9 years of experience in the commercial insurance and risk management space. Prior to insurance, he spent 6 years in the retail banking and financial planning industry, finishing his tenure in the industry with JP Morgan/Chase Private Client. In 2016, Daniel focused his business insurance efforts on the emerging cannabis industry. He found immediate success, leaning on his own experience and contacts from his time as a trimmer through college in the traditional cannabis market in Southern Humboldt.

Daniel has a passion for the cannabis industry and has a track record for bringing new markets and ideas to the forefront. Daniel has been an instrumental figure in the development of cannabis insurance programs, most notably with his work in helping Quadscore come to the marketplace.

As cannabis laws underwent transformative shifts, with legalization on the horizon, Jessica attended Oaksterdam University in 2016. Eager to deepen her cannabis knowledge, Jessica took on a pivotal role as a dedicated volunteer CFO with Compassion programs and the East Bay Canna Community. Her dedication and involvement in these initiatives have significantly contributed to the growth and connectivity within the local cannabis communities of the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2022, Jessica assumed the role of Senior Account Manager at Acrisure, overseeing a portfolio of accounts within the cannabis and manufacturing sectors.

Jessica remains abreast of the latest developments in the cannabis industry, diligently staying informed about regulatory updates across different states. Jessica’s engagement in the cannabis industry has not only broadened her knowledge but also positioned her as a committed participant in the dynamic evolution of the cannabis scene. Her foremost commitment lies in delivering exceptional client service, grounded in a comprehensive understanding of cannabis before it became an industry.

Mandy started her insurance career in 2004 and has worked as an account manager of personal and commercial lines with various Insurance Agents and Brokers throughout her career. Her introduction to the cannabis insurance world came when she was underwriting cannabis business insurance programs with a Managing General Agent.

Mandy enjoys working with the rapidly growing cannabis industry and coming up with solution based answers for her clients. She prides herself on maintaining high standards of quality customer service and strives to meet the ever-increasing expectations for her clients.

Recognizing the power of compelling content and staying ahead of trends, Maddy has taken the lead in revitalizing Cannabis Connect’s online presence, catapulting the company to new heights in the rapidly expanding market. One of Maddy’s key responsibilities at Cannabis Connect is spearheading the marketing efforts for sponsored events and webinar appearances by the company’s Co-Founders and Account Managers. Her strategic approach and innovative ideas for trending content have significantly elevated the brand’s visibility and engagement across various digital platforms.

Maddy thoroughly enjoys exploring and learning about the cannabis industry through her marketing efforts for Cannabis Connect. Her passion for the subject matter shines through in her work, as she continuously seeks to deepen her knowledge and expertise in this dynamic and evolving industry.

Kenzie is a dedicated professional with a passion for commercial insurance. Beginning her journey as a Marketing Assistant in 2022, she quickly proved herself as a valuable asset to the team with her strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Through her hard work and dedication, Kenzie transitioned to the role of Account Coordinator in 2024 at Cannabis Connect Insurance, an Acrisure Partner, where she continues to excel in providing top-notch service to clients. With a commitment to excellence and a drive for success, Kenzie plays an integral role in ensuring client satisfaction and success.