Accomplished Policy Expert | Strategic Advocate | Influential Public Speaker | Founder & CEO, TWH Global, LLC 

Toi Hutchinson is a highly regarded policy expert and public affairs strategist with extensive experience navigating complex regulatory landscapes, high-stakes advocacy, and executive leadership. A former state senator, senior government advisor, and nonprofit CEO, she has spent her career at the intersection of policy, governance, and public service, championing issues of equity, economic development, and cannabis reform. 

As the President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project (2021-2023), Hutchinson leveraged her deep expertise in government affairs and stakeholder engagement to drive national cannabis policy reforms. She led a multidisciplinary team in securing funding, shaping education initiatives, and advancing state-level legalization efforts. Her leadership positioned her as a sought-after keynote speaker, including at the United Nations’ Regenerative Cannabis Live event, and earned her a cover feature in Sweet Jane Magazine. 

Prior to her national role, she was appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker as Illinois’ first Senior Advisor for Cannabis Control (2019-2021), overseeing the implementation of the state’s billion-dollar cannabis industry. In this role, she coordinated 13 state agencies across economic development, criminal justice reform, drug policy, and community investment, ensuring a regulatory framework rooted in equity and inclusion. 

From 2009 to 2019, Hutchinson served as an Illinois State Senator, where she led legislative efforts on tax reform, cannabis legalization, and social justice initiatives. She chaired the Senate Revenue Committee and the Senate Black Caucus, negotiating landmark bills that shaped Illinois’ economic and social policies. Her contributions 

earned her recognition, including Legislator of the Year awards and Chicago Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Chicago (2020). 

Building on her extensive experience, Hutchinson founded TWH Global, LLC, a strategic consulting firm that brings together her expertise in policy, regulatory affairs, and advocacy to support clients navigating complex legislative and business landscapes. Prior to launching her company, she served as a Managing Director at Mercury Public Affairs (2023-2024), where she provided strategic counsel to clients on regulatory, legislative, and public affairs challenges. 

A dedicated leader in public service, she served as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures (2016-2019), engaging with legislative leaders across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Her thought leadership has been featured in The Washington Post, Politico, Huffington Post, NBC Nightly News, Vice News, NPR, and numerous other national outlets. 

Hutchinson holds a Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. She has also completed executive leadership training at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and is a distinguished Edgar Fellow. 

She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., and Equality Illinois, continuously advocating for justice, equity, and transformative policy change.