KIM RIVERS

FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN & CEO, TRULIEVE, TALLAHASSEE

The largest cannabis retailer in the world, Trulieve has 229 stores, 4 million square feet of production capacity and 5,700 employees as of March 2025. Founded by Rivers in 2015, Trulieve conducted the first medical marijuana sale in Florida in 2016 and was also the first to serve patients in Georgia and West Virginia. The company was also the primary funder behind the $50-million campaign that put the question of legalizing recreational marijuana on Florida’s 2024 general election ballot. Before starting Trulieve, Rivers spent several years in private practice as a lawyer specializing in mergers, acquisitions and securities for large companies.

EDUCATION: Florida State University (BS), University of Florida (JD)

FIRST JOB: Selling stickers to my classmates in elementary school.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: Entrepreneur, which I still consider myself to be. I plan to fund startups as a second act.

MENTEE IMPACT: Provided advice to a fellow member of a women’s cannabis industry group on sale of business and successful exit.

PASSION PROJECT: I enjoy painting and completing puzzles. Travel is my primary passion — visiting places and soaking up art, culture, wine and food is a great way to relieve stress and learn more about the world.

NONPROFIT PASSION: Last Prisoner Project. This organization works tirelessly to address wrongful imprisonment for non-violent cannabis prisoners.

INDUSTRY TREND: The most notable trend in cannabis is the increasing acceptance of cannabis by mainstream consumers. Last year, daily cannabis users surpassed alcohol consumers for the first time, highlighting evolving consumer preferences.

SOMETHING SURPRISING
“I am a fan of punk bands Rage Against the Machine and Blink-182.”