Pete Kadens
Philanthropist
Board Director, Co-Founder & Former CEO of Green Thumb Industries
Pete Kadens is a serial entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist. He has started three companies, which have employed thousands of people over the last 16 years.
Pete is a co-founder and former CEO of Green Thumb Industries (GTI), one of the largest legal cannabis operators in the US. The company is publicly traded and has a market capitalization of over $1.5 billion today and was named the highest performing stock in Illinois in 2018 by Crains Chicago. Pete retired from GTI in August 2018 at the age of 40 and still serves as its Board Director.
Pete also started one of the largest commercial solar companies in the US, SoCore Energy, in 2008. Under his leadership at SoCore grew into a company with operations across 17 states and was named one of Chicago's most innovative businesses by Chicago Innovation Awards. In 2013, he sold SoCore Energy to Edison International, a Fortune 500 energy holding company. In 2018, Pete was named one of the “20 People to Watch” in the cannabis industry by Marijuana Business Daily Magazine.
Pete believes deeply in, and actively leads, organizations that seek to transform lives and strengthen communities, serving as Chairman or Vice Chairman of StreetWise (2009 – 2018), one of the largest homeless aid organizations in Chicago, and presently serving as Chairman Emeritus. Pete also served on the Cara Board of Directors from 2014-2016. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Cannabis Trade Federation, Chicago Innovation and several corporate boards.
Pete was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus for Citizenship in 2010 by his alma mater, Bucknell University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He was also named 40 under 40 by Crains Chicago Business in 2012.
Pete and Amy dedicate as much times as possible to the growth and development of their three young kids.
Pete believes deeply in, and actively leads, organizations that seek to transform lives and strengthen communities, serving as Chairman or Vice Chairman of StreetWise (2009 – 2018), one of the largest homeless aid organizations in Chicago, and presently serving as Chairman Emeritus. Pete also served on the Cara Board of Directors from 2014-2016. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Cannabis Trade Federation, Chicago Innovation and several corporate boards.
Pete was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus for Citizenship in 2010 by his alma mater, Bucknell University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He was also named 40 under 40 by Crains Chicago Business in 2012.
Pete and Amy dedicate as much times as possible to the growth and development of their three young kids.