Australis Names Leah S. Bailey as Chief Business Development Officer

Australis Capital Inc. (CSE: AUSA) (OTC: AUSAF) today announced that Leah S. Bailey has joined the company as Chief Business Development Officer, where she will drive commercial initiatives and provide leadership to the company’s corporate development team. With this appointment, AUSA is adding a proven leader with a strong track record in driving revenues and profitability in both the cannabis and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors. Previously, Leah was CEO of Fluresh, a U.S. vertically integrated cannabis company based in Michigan, where she built the operation and organization from a startup to become one of the top cannabis businesses in the state. Ms. Bailey holds several directorships with companies such as well-known medical cannabis science leader Tikun Olam USA and Scott’s Liquid Gold, as well as is an operating partner for a social equity applicant for craft grow in Illinois.

Prior to her career in the cannabis industry, Ms. Bailey held senior executive positions with internationally renowned CPG companies, such as President of Global Beauty at Helen of Troy Limited (“HOT”). Previously, she was the President & CEO of Paris Presents and held senior management and marketing roles with Alberto Culver (Unilever), GTE Telephone Operations (Verizon), Jovan (Coty), and Quaker Oats (Pepsi). She also led a venture capital backed start-up, Tellaire, which supplied fixed optical wireless telecommunications services. Ms. Bailey holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Harvard University.

Management Commentary

“To fill this important role, we were looking for someone with a proven track record of translating success in the CPG sector to the cannabis industry. When Leah’s name came up and we then met, the fit was obvious, and we are delighted that she has agreed to join us,” said Terry Booth, CEO. “In addition to her proven leadership skills in making teams and companies succeed, Leah brings the strategic capabilities and network required to execute in the eastern United States. With Leah Bailey, CBDO, and Jon Paul, our CFO, both based out of Chicago, we are able to leverage their strong connections in the Eastern U.S. to accelerate our execution in this region. I look forward to working closely with Leah as we continue to build AUSA into a unique and highly successful MSO.”

Ms. Bailey commented, “Three key differentiators attracted me to AUSA: a leadership team with a stellar track record in driving growth and innovation, a unique and ambitious strategy, and a corporate culture carried by a team of high-achievers driven to succeed collaboratively. I have done a deep dive into the Company, its pipeline of opportunities and its assets, and I have come away highly impressed. Consequently, I am a strong believer that AUSA is positioned to be exceptionally successful. I am proud to be taking on this role and to work with Terry Booth and the team to take AUSA to the next level in its development.”

CEO Terry Booth in closing stated “AUSA has truly re-entered the American cannabis space, and Leah is an extremely important addition to our team. We have a sound plan and are ready to ignite, excite and delight our shareholders and clients with passion, experience, knowledge and quality.”

About AUSA

AUSA is at its roots a community and culture-based cannabis company, originally founded by Steve Dobler and Terry Booth, the founders of Aurora Cannabis Inc. After the completion of a dissident shareholder battle that ended with convincing shareholder approval, Terry Booth, former Aurora CEO, who had to step away from AUSA upon spin off, re-joined AUSA as CEO in December of 2020. Since then, the company has reset the direction of AUSA and in just 5 months has closed multiple accretive transactions, improved legacy contracts, established a world class Executive Team, resolved previous executive and board exits. AUSA is looking forward to becoming a profitable tier 1 Multiple State Operator in the medical and adult usage cannabis sectors.

Also, in the same 5-month time frame, AUSA with its acquisition of ALPS has entered the global Sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture Industry, a rapidly growing segment of the global horticulture market. ALPS provides customized designs along with multiple services that allow operators to maximize yield and quality while minimizing inputs and resources, including labor. ALPS at present is active on cannabis and traditional horticulture projects across the globe, including the U.S.A., the E.U., AustraliaNew ZealandIceland, the Middle EastSouth East Asia and Canada. Total Capex committed by ALPS’ clients since Aurora divested its interest just 12 short months ago during the covid crisis, stands at approximately $1 billion, with a rapidly growing business development pipeline approaching $4 billion in total Capex to be spent by potential clients over the next 24 months.

AUSA’s business assets include: a 51% ownership interest in ALPS, a milestone weighted deal with an option to acquire the remaining 49% of ALPS – Cocoon (wholly owned), a company changing the dispensary customer user experience through self-service kiosks – land assets in Bellingham, Washington – as well as the iconic West Coast brand Mr. Natural. AUSA furthermore has investments in Body and Mind Inc., a U.S. MSO, and Quality Green, a Canadian licensed producer. The Company also has executed a term sheet for a JV partnership with U.S. and Canada based 3 Rivers Biotech for plant tissue culture, genetics clean-up and micro propagation. AUSA and Green Therapeutics, an award-winning MSO, have finalized and agreed to all terms with respect to AUSA’s 100% acquisition (subject to regulatory state licensing approvals).

AUSA cannabis assets and ALPS cannabis projects now include ArizonaNevadaWashingtonMissouriOklahoma, and California with many other states being evaluated and negotiated.

The Company’s common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol “AUSA” and on the OTCQB under the symbol “AUSAF”.

Terry Booth
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Terry Booth
Chief Executive Officer

Australis Names Leah S. Bailey as Chief Business Development Officer

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