Meet the Team

Every day, our passionate leaders and expert staff at UpLift Ohio create a friendly, supportive environment for all patients. We offer high-quality products from trusted growers and clear, patient-focused guidance to help you make informed choices. Whether you visit our Milford or Mt. Orab locations, you’ll find knowledgeable professionals ready to answer your questions and simplify your experience. Get to know the dedicated individuals whose expertise and compassion make UpLift Ohio a trusted partner in your health and wellbeing.

Courtney Pavlak

Vice President of Retail Operations

Courtney Pavlak

Vice President of Retail Operations

As the Vice President of Retail Operations at Uplift Dispensaries, I bring over six years of cannabis experience and more than a decade in management and team development. My passion for cannabis began in 2016, when my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. That moment sparked a deep, personal commitment to the potential of cannabis and the lives it can improve.

I’m incredibly proud to be part of an Ohio-owned and operated company, and I have an unwavering passion for the amazing teams I work with every day. I believe in people, purpose, and showing up with heart. My mission is to serve Ohio with compassion, integrity, and excellence—delivering more than just cannabis, but care and connection to the communities we call home. Cincinnati, in particular, holds a special place in our hearts, and I’m honored to help support and uplift the city that means so much to us.

Email: [email protected]

Charlie Watson

Marketing Director

Charlie Watson

Marketing Director

[email protected]

Lydia Kitzmiller

Controller

Lydia Kitzmiller

Controller

I’m Lydia, the Controller for Uplift, bringing 13 years of experience in manufacturing, construction, and retail accounting. I’ve worked across a range of industries, but the cannabis space stands out – not just for its rapid growth and complexity, but the amazing people in it, especially the team here at UpLift. It’s a community full of passionate, driven, and genuinely collaborative individuals, and it’s a pleasure to work alongside them. I handle everything from financial reporting and compliance to process improvements and systems implementation. I’m all about keeping things running smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes so the team and the business can grow with confidence.

Email: [email protected]

Max Williams

Brand Strategist

Max Williams

Brand Strategist

[email protected]

Kayla Little

Compliance Manager & Vendor Relations

Kayla Little

Compliance Manager & Vendor Relations

Hi, I’m Kayla Little, Compliance Manager & Vendor Relations Coordinator. I bring over six years of management experience to the cannabis market, along with more than a decade in retail and marketing. My journey into cannabis started after dealing with several sports injuries from playing competitive basketball in high school and college. I wanted a more natural way to manage pain—something I could control. With cannabis, I found exactly that: the ability to manage dosage and choose a method that works best for me. It’s helped me relax, find peace, and live a more pain-free life.

In my current role, I love meeting with vendors in person to stay ahead of the curve on new and exciting products. I’m especially passionate about organizing patient education days at our locations—making space for patients and customers to connect directly with the brands they trust, ask questions, and feel more informed about their choices.

Being part of an Ohio-owned and operated company means a lot to me. It’s a privilege to help shift the conversation around cannabis in Southern Ohio—from something once misunderstood to something that’s now changing lives for the better.

Email: [email protected]

Kyle Graef

Digital Marketing & Account Management

Kyle Graef

Digital Marketing & Account Management

Hi, I’m Kyle, and I oversee digital marketing at UpLift, including managing our online accounts. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work closely with the Leadership Team and our brand partners since UpLift’s inception.

My background is rooted in retail management, which led me to a role as a retail specialist at another dispensary. When I discovered UpLift and learned about its core values, I knew immediately that I wanted to be part of this journey.

As a proud Ohioan, I’m deeply passionate about serving our local communities—especially here in Cincinnati. Helping connect patients with the care and education they need is more than just a job; it’s a personal mission that drives everything I do at UpLift.

Email: [email protected]

Vanessa Wilson

Online Manager

Vanessa Wilson

Online Manager

My passion for cannabis began six years ago when I started as a budtender. In that role, I had the opportunity to educate a diverse range of customers—helping them find the right products while promoting responsible and informed cannabis use. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of product trends, customer needs, and compliance requirements, which has naturally lead me to become UpLift’s Online Manager. I take pride in curating a thoughtful, diverse product selection that reflects both customer preferences and the company’s commitment to community and wellness.

Email: [email protected]

Holly Drury

Regional Trainer

Holly Drury

Regional Trainer

I’ve been part of Ohio’s medical cannabis industry for over four years, and my journey began from a personal need for relief. After struggling with undiagnosed endometriosis and finding little help through conventional medicine, I turned to cannabis, and it transformed my quality of life. That experience ignited a passion for the plant and its potential to help others.

As Regional Trainer at UpLift, I lead training for new team members and support the professional development of current staff. I’m passionate about cannabis education and committed to breaking the stigma surrounding its use. I advocate for personalized, science-based care that goes beyond THC percentages to consider the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes.

Working for an organization that prioritizes patient-centered care, education, and community impact is truly fulfilling. I’m proud to be part of a team that is not only changing lives but also shaping the future of cannabis education in Ohio.

Email: [email protected]

Eric Gibson

Purchasing Manager

Eric Gibson

Purchasing Manager

In my current role as Purchasing Manager for Uplift Dispensaries, I have the honor of purchasing the finest quality cannabis products available in Ohio for our patients and customers. My former role as General Manager of the Mount Orab dispensary allowed me the opportunity to learn the brands and products that our patients and customers desire most and I utilize that feedback daily when making purchasing decisions. As a patient in Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Program since its inception, I have witnessed daily how life changing cannabis can be for so many members of our community including my own family and friends.

Being a lifelong resident of Cincinnati, I am proud to say that I am part of an amazing team of passionate individuals who love our community and take pride in their work, answering questions and making recommendations to thousands of people weekly. Saying you care about your community is one thing, but we prove it by being involved in community action efforts around Cincinnati and the Tri-State area. We have collected donations for non-profit organizations, partnered with Habitat for Humanity, and will be participating in an Ohio River Sweep this year. We not only value, support and serve this community, we are part of it!

Email: [email protected]

Jeremy Young

General Manager – Milford

Jeremy Young

General Manager – Milford

As General Manager of Uplift, my favorite part of my job is quite simply the people. As one of the more senior people at Uplift, I get the chance to pass along what I have learned from all my years of management to a younger generation. While I have had what I believe is a positive impact on our employees, I have been surprised at what I have learned from them.

I enjoy the good that we do for our community by helping those that are looking for relief for their conditions with our products. As well as meeting new people as they go in and out of our stores. I’ve built great relationships with our vendors and suppliers and learned a lot from them as well.

My greatest accomplishment has been building and leading our team through significant growth in both staff and revenue, while maintaining a culture built on integrity, education, and compassion. I take pride in helping create an environment where all employees feel supported, empowered, and inspired to develop their skills. The most rewarding part of my role is seeing our team thrive and knowing that their growth directly contributes to the success of our store and the satisfaction of our customers.

Email: [email protected]

Taylor Tucker

Assistant General Manager – Milford

Taylor Tucker

Assistant General Manager – Milford

Hi, I’m Taylor! I’m the Assistant General Manager of our Milford store. I love working at UpLift because of the people! Every person on the crew as well as the customers and patients. They really make coming to work so much easier. I love helping people, especially in the cannabis industry, because of how many misconceptions there are about cannabis and the ways it can help people. I love teaching people new things and new ways to care for themselves. Cannabis has helped me personally for many years with pain and anxiety when other remedies were no use. My greatest accomplishment while working here is moving up through the ranks and being able to help people grow along the way. I hope I make UpLift a fun, supportive, and welcoming environment that encourages people to be themselves and explore alternative medicine. A funny fact about me is that I dropped out of law school 😉

Email: [email protected]

Kaylei Williams

General Manager – Mt. Orab

Kaylei Williams

General Manager – Mt. Orab

Working in this industry has been completely life changing. The fulfillment I get from seeing customers leave with smiling faces from the recommendations we give them is unmatched. Being able to help people is one of the biggest perks of the job. It isn’t everyday you find a job that gives you a purpose, but Uplift has done that for me. Being the General Manager has shown me so much about the industry and I continue to fall more in love with it every day.

Email: [email protected]

Dustin Lynch

Assistant General Manager – Mt. Orab

Dustin Lynch

Assistant General Manager – Mt. Orab

My enjoyment of cannabis comes from the relief, relaxation, and long-lasting friendships I’ve gained throughout the years. Personal use and curiosity about the many products and variety of uses drew me to this industry. Helping others has always been a passion of mine. This role allows me to pursue two of my deep interests. Uplift has shown me that hard work pays off and the Uplift crew feels like a family. My greatest accomplishment so far as a member of the Uplift team has been my promotion to Assistant General Manager. I feel like my greatest impact is in helping medical patients and the adult use consumers get the information they need to get the results they are looking for and deserve.

Email: [email protected]

Ben Zellhuber

General Manager – Kenwood

Ben Zellhuber

General Manager – Kenwood

My name is Ben Zellhuber, I am the general manger for the newest Kenwood location. I’m passionate about helping patients find the right medicine to manage their pain and improve their overall well-being. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is educating new patients and guiding them through their options with compassion and care.

Cannabis has made a real difference in my own life—it helps me manage chronic back and knee pain—so I understand firsthand how powerful and personal this medicine can be. I’m proud to be part of a movement that’s helping people find relief, regain control, and live more comfortably every day.

Email: [email protected]

Customer Reviews

I have been coming here since the day they opened. The staff have always been exceptionally friendly, well-trained and knowledgeable about the menu, as well as giving their own personal experience and advice about various products. The menu is also regularly updated and kept decently in-stock.

Devon M.

Very friendly and helpful staff. Great location for those who live farther from Cincinnati. Easy check-in and out. Plus the interior is modern, clean ad comfortable while waiting. I’m looking forward to my next visit and the specials I can purchase in the future!

Trienetha S.

Upon arrival customer service is always top-notch and I wait no longer than a couple of minutes no matter if there are one or six people in there. The agents behind the counter always have a smile and very helpful, I drive a couple of extra miles to purchase from this dispensary.

Kelli T.

I had an excellent experience here. The people are knowledgeable and are able to help the novice cannabis user to the more experienced. The process was pretty smooth. The prices were very affordable. They do give the veterans an indigent discount.

Lavonne W.

My first experience was very professional. Everyone was pleasant and very helpful for my first time.

Carl V.

I so much appreciate this dispensary. But just as much, the staff. No matter how busy, they make your interaction as 1 on 1 as possible. My budtender helped me find something that I like, & will also save me some money.

Phillip W.

People aren’t lying about the speed at this place. First time there and I was in and out within ten minutes. Very friendly, great discounts and well stocked. Can’t go wrong coming here.

Jake R.

This place is THEE best place in the world. Friendly employees, helpful employees, and hard working employees! If you have a problem they will solve it within mins!

Ian C.

High quality products, at very affordable prices. The staff here are all so friendly, helpful, and informative.

Travis L.

Great place everyone was so nice and helpful hope they start doing discounts daily. Very close to my house which is great. Would recommend this place to all my friends. Keep up the great work.

Chrystine P.

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