Meet the Owner
Meet Richelyn Penn-Mekile, DBA — the strategic powerhouse who fuses HR expertise with a consultant’s precision and a scholar’s curiosity. Dr. Richelyn Penn-Mekile is a former senior human resources executive and the founder of Cooper Gilmore Consulting, a firm specializing in strategic realignment, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency for mission-driven organizations, including those in emerging and highly regulated industries such as cannabis. With over two decades of experience in human resources and administrative operations, she brings deep expertise in workforce planning, policy development, labor relations, and risk mitigation.
Dr. Penn-Mekile currently serves as Chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) Human Resources Committee, where she leads collaborative efforts to develop HR best practices, promote regulatory compliance, and advance workforce equity across the cannabis sector. Her work with NCIA reflects a deep commitment to professionalizing HR operations within the industry and equipping organizations to navigate complex labor and compliance challenges.
Throughout her career, she has advised both public and private institutions on streamlining business processes, implementing people-centered strategies, and aligning human capital with enterprise risk management. She is particularly adept at designing HR frameworks that support sustainable growth while ensuring adherence to state and federal regulations.
Dr. Penn-Mekile has led enterprise-wide initiatives focused on digital transformation, employee classification, performance metrics, and organizational development. Her approach is grounded in data-informed decision-making and a commitment to operational integrity, inclusion, and institutional resilience. A respected voice in both higher education and consulting spaces, she brings a strategic lens to workforce issues and compliance challenges—making her a valuable partner to risk managers seeking to align talent strategy with business goals in a rapidly evolving industry.
Cooper Gilmore Cannabis Consulting 