Skip to content
MMJ Gazette
  Monday 4 August 2025
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Authors
  • Home
  • News
  • CBD
  • Cannabis
  • Drugs
  • Marijuana
  • Tobacco
  • Law
Trending
August 3, 2025Cannabis Dispensaries Rethink Retail: Design That Sells, Not Just Serves August 2, 2025Legal Weed’s Tax Nightmare: How Cannabis Firms Are Pushing Back Against 280E August 2, 2025Kentucky Gears Up for First Legal Medical Marijuana Sales by Autumn July 31, 2025Hemp THC Ban Pulled from Senate Bill After McConnell–Paul Face-Off July 30, 2025Oklahoma’s Marijuana Legalisation Fight Is Back—And It’s Getting Personal July 30, 2025Starting a Cannabis Business? Here’s What You Really Need to Know First July 29, 2025New York’s Legal Weed Market Nears $1.5 Billion, But How Many Shops Can It Really Handle? July 29, 2025Texas Lawmaker Pushes Cannabis Legalisation Bill During Heated Hemp Debate July 28, 2025Cannabis Shops Are Getting a Makeover – and Sales Are Going Up July 26, 2025State Attorneys General Push Congress to Fix Outdated Marijuana Banking Laws
MMJ Gazette
MMJ Gazette
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Authors
MMJ Gazette
  Cannabis  Safe Harbor CEO Sundie Seefried Retires, Paving the Way for Terry Mendez
CannabisNews

Safe Harbor CEO Sundie Seefried Retires, Paving the Way for Terry Mendez

Lars BeckersLars Beckers—January 30, 20250
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedInTumblrRedditVKWhatsAppEmail

Sundie Seefried, a trailblazer in cannabis banking, is stepping down as CEO of Safe Harbor Financial, the firm she built from the ground up. In her place, finance and business transformation expert Terry Mendez will take the reins, marking a new era for the company. The transition will take place over the next 30 days, during which both executives will serve as co-CEOs.

Seefried isn’t stepping away completely. She will remain on the board of directors, ensuring continuity for the Colorado-based cannabis financial services firm. “We remain committed to thoughtful succession planning and long-term strategic growth,” she said in a statement, emphasizing that Mendez’s leadership will help maximize shareholder value and refine operational strategies.

Seefried’s Legacy: From Credit Unions to Cannabis Finance

Seefried’s entrance into cannabis finance wasn’t exactly planned. In 2014, while serving as CEO of Partner Colorado Credit Union, she saw an industry desperate for banking solutions. Safe Harbor Financial was born out of that necessity, initially offering services to marijuana businesses in Colorado.

By 2016, Seefried was so immersed in cannabis banking that she published Navigating Safe Harbor: Cannabis Banking in a Time of Uncertainty. The book solidified her reputation as a leading expert in the sector, offering a framework for compliant and sustainable financial services in an industry that has long been shunned by traditional banks.

In 2022, Safe Harbor spun off into an independent entity and went public on the Nasdaq under the ticker SHFS. The move marked a significant milestone, cementing its status as a key financial player in the cannabis space.

Who Is Terry Mendez?

Mendez isn’t new to either finance or cannabis. He launched Amos Advisory Solutions in 2016, a firm focused on business expansion and strategic consulting. His resume includes stints at Arthur Andersen and Deloitte & Touche, two of the biggest names in accounting.

His experience extends to leadership roles in both single-state and multi-state cannabis operations, making him uniquely positioned to navigate Safe Harbor’s next phase.

“The business is now looking at the challenges currently facing the industry and determining how we can leverage our people to develop technology that delivers trusted solutions to the marketplace,” Mendez said in a statement.

He acknowledged Seefried’s pioneering efforts in cannabis finance, but his focus is forward-looking: refining Safe Harbor’s technology and operations to ensure the company remains competitive.

What’s Next for Safe Harbor Financial?

The cannabis industry is changing fast, and Safe Harbor isn’t immune to the turbulence. With ongoing regulatory uncertainty and shifting market dynamics, Mendez will have his work cut out for him.

A few key priorities for Safe Harbor’s next chapter:

  • Technology Development: Mendez has hinted at expanding the company’s tech capabilities, likely focusing on digital banking and compliance solutions tailored for cannabis businesses.
  • Industry Partnerships: As competition in the cannabis finance space heats up, strategic alliances could be crucial for long-term success.
  • Regulatory Adaptation: Safe Harbor will need to stay ahead of evolving regulations, especially as federal marijuana banking laws remain in flux.

With Seefried staying on as a board member, her institutional knowledge will help guide Safe Harbor through this transition. Meanwhile, Mendez’s background in finance, strategy, and cannabis operations makes him a logical choice for the company’s next phase.

A Leadership Shift, But Not a Departure

Seefried’s retirement marks the end of an era, but not a complete exit. She built Safe Harbor into what it is today—one of the few financial institutions willing to work with cannabis businesses. Her continued role on the board ensures that her vision remains part of the company’s future.

For Safe Harbor, the challenge ahead is clear: adapting to an increasingly complex cannabis financial landscape while maintaining its position as a trusted service provider. With Mendez at the helm, the firm appears ready to tackle what’s next.

FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedInTumblrRedditVKWhatsAppEmail

Lars Beckers

Lars Beckers is a distinguished senior content writer at MMJ Gazette, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the realm of medical marijuana and cannabis-related content. With a deep understanding of the industry and a passion for sharing knowledge, Lars's articles offer readers comprehensive insights and engaging narratives in the dynamic world of cannabis. Known for his meticulous research, clarity of expression, and commitment to delivering high-quality content, Lars brings a seasoned perspective to his work, educating and informing audiences on the latest trends and developments in the field.

Colorado Springs Moves to Overturn Voter-Approved Recreational Marijuana Law
Pennsylvania’s Budget Crisis Could Push Lawmakers to Finally Legalize Marijuana
Related posts
  • Related posts
  • More from author
Cannabis

Cannabis Dispensaries Rethink Retail: Design That Sells, Not Just Serves

August 3, 20250
Marijuana

Legal Weed’s Tax Nightmare: How Cannabis Firms Are Pushing Back Against 280E

August 2, 20250
Marijuana

Kentucky Gears Up for First Legal Medical Marijuana Sales by Autumn

August 2, 20250
Load more
Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SEARCH
PROMOTIONS
RECENT POSTS
  • Cannabis Dispensaries Rethink Retail: Design That Sells, Not Just Serves
  • Legal Weed’s Tax Nightmare: How Cannabis Firms Are Pushing Back Against 280E
  • Kentucky Gears Up for First Legal Medical Marijuana Sales by Autumn
  • Hemp THC Ban Pulled from Senate Bill After McConnell–Paul Face-Off
  • Oklahoma’s Marijuana Legalisation Fight Is Back—And It’s Getting Personal
  • Starting a Cannabis Business? Here’s What You Really Need to Know First
  • New York’s Legal Weed Market Nears $1.5 Billion, But How Many Shops Can It Really Handle?
  • Texas Lawmaker Pushes Cannabis Legalisation Bill During Heated Hemp Debate
  • Cannabis Shops Are Getting a Makeover – and Sales Are Going Up
  • State Attorneys General Push Congress to Fix Outdated Marijuana Banking Laws
    © MMJ Gazette. 2024
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Authors