Marty Clemons
February 16, 2022

Interview with Hemp Leaders and Advocate around the World

Hemp Talk with Marty Clemons

Learn Hemp Industry insights from top Hemp Leaders and advocates from around the world. Hosted by Hemp Foundation TALKS with Rebecca Spain.

we get the pleasure of speaking with Marty Clemons, a Leader in the hemp industry located in North Carolina.

Marty discusses globalization and domestication of the hemp industry, insights into the future marketability in hemp fiber and high value cannabinoids.

We will gain insights on the benefits of hemp farming in the Carolina’s and what unique history has paved the path for the state’s success.

Marty brings an insightful perspective as a leader in social enterprise initiatives. In addition her extensive background as a former corporate and securities lawyer with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Northern Trust, as well as Chief Counsel of ABN-AMRO Asset Management USA and General Counsel of Market Liquidity Network, is a wonderful value-add to the industry.

About Marty Clemons

Marty Clemons is a social entrepreneur passionate about finding regenerative solutions to systemic issues. She is currently Chair of the Board of the Southeast Hemp Association. She has been working to build the hemp industry in North Carolina and the South East since 2015. Marty is a partner in the Industrial Hemp Summit, a B2B multi-stakeholder collaboration focused on building the U.S. Hemp Industry. Previously, Marty lived in Chicago, Illinois, where she was a corporate and securities lawyer with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Northern Trust, as well as Chief Counsel of ABN-AMRO Asset Management USA and General Counsel of Market Liquidity Network.

Vishal Vivek is the Founder and CEO of Ukhi, a pioneering bio-materials company dedicated to ending plastic pollution by converting agricultural waste into high-performance compostable polymers. With a background in sustainable entrepreneurship and over a decade of technology experience, he leads Ukhi’s vision to create scalable, planet-positive material solutions. Previously, Vishal founded the Hemp Foundation, where he empowered more than 1,000 farmers and advanced sustainable livelihood initiatives. His work has been recognized through awards such as the HDFC Parivartan Grant and featured in leading publications like Forbes and Entrepreneur. Times Group recognized him as a legendary entrepreneur and published his biography in “I Did IT- Vol 2” alongside social pioneers like Bindeshwar Pathak (Sulabh International) and Anshu Gupta (Goonj). Vishal has authored more than 200 articles on sustainability and hemp, reflecting his deep expertise and advocacy for regenerative solutions. His commitment to grassroots impact led him to live in the remote mountains of Uttarakhand, where he immersed himself in the lives of marginal farmers, understanding their challenges and co-creating economic opportunities through hemp-based initiatives. A deeply passionate innovator, Vishal often draws inspiration from seemingly impossible achievements: “If Elon Musk can make rockets reusable, or Dashrath Manjhi can carve a path through a mountain with rudimentary tools, why can’t we eliminate the demon of single-use plastic while uplifting struggling farmers? We will make it happen—whatever it takes.” Ukhi is proud to be supported by premier institutions including IIT Guwahati, NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore, Indian School of Business (Hyderabad), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR Pusa), and the Indian Institute of Packaging. Vishal is committed to demonstrating that business can be a powerful catalyst for global environmental and social good. Connect with Vishal Vivek