About Würk | Würk

Who We Are

Würk is the industry’s first and best all-in-one workforce management solution. We believe it is our responsibility to protect the people and organizations of the cannabis industry so they can continue to impact the world we live in.

What We Do

We want to create a new status quo for the betterment and normalization of this growing industry.

Our Values

(No, those aren't typos - all of these are #1 values)

Be United

We are a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive team

Be Present

Offer attention to yourself, our team, and clients

Be Bold

Challenge the status quo and make your voice heard

Be Excellent

Discover your best self and be proud of your contributions

Be Accountable

Take responsibility and ownership of your work

Be Trustworthy

Lead with honesty, commitment, and confidence

By The Numbers

Team Count

2015

Year Founded

Much like our customer base, our employees are in nearly every state! We pride ourselves on being diverse and working from where you feel most comfortable, Home!

Würk Milestones

2015

Set out on a Mission to get Cannabis employees paid, on-time, and with a paycheck.

Company Count

1st client ‘closed won’ on 10/1/2015
50 clients processing payroll: October 2017
150 clients processing payroll: November 2018
200 clients processing payroll: March 2020
Wurk enters it’s data era with net-new products to transform intelligent growth in the industry: April 2024
Wurk unveils a new look: May 2024
Most client processing in one month: 246

EUC Count

January 2016 (first processing month): 39 EUCs
January 2019: 10,495 EUCs
January 2022: 45,534

Today

We process payroll in 46 states and over 500 jurisdictions and are established as the largest solution of our kind in the industry.

Meet the Team

At Würk, we’re extremely proud of our team. Our products and services wouldn’t be possible without them, and we have a blast at the office.

Deborah Saneman

Chief Executive Officer

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Deborah Saneman

Chief Executive Officer

With more than 25 years of experience in HCM, payroll, and consulting, Deborah is an expert in creating and enhancing business operations. Prior to joining Wurk as the Chief Operating Officer, she was the COO at Kelly Benefits Payroll where she collaborated with many different divisions within the organization to turn challenges into new opportunities for the business. Deborah has a deep understanding of all aspects of business operations, including expertise in growing and expanding product offerings, as well as providing businesses with solutions to their pain points to work more efficiently and effectively. She also serves as the President of the Independent Payroll Providers Association and provides payroll guidance for independent organizations.

Navin Thawani

Managing Partner & Chief Financial Officer

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Navin Thawani

Managing Partner & Chief Financial Officer

NAVIN THAWANI is a Principal at New York-based investment firm, Foundry Capital. Foundry executes and actively manages proprietary and structured growth investments in high-quality companies across a range of industries. Navin also serves as Managing Partner and CFO of Würk, Navin takes active leadership and board roles across other Foundry portfolio companies. Navin started his career on the derivatives desks at Barclays Capital and Morgan Stanley in New York and London, respectively. Navin received his M.B.A. from Georgetown University, where he was the president of the M.B.A. Student Government Association. He earned a B.A. from the University of Delaware. Navin resides in New York, NY.

Melissa Erb

General Counsel

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Melissa Erb

General Counsel

Melissa has more than 20 years of experience as a corporate attorney. She has served as legal counsel for companies in industries including payroll, benefits, insurance, and healthcare. As General Counsel for Wurk, Melissa’s role is pivotal in navigating the legal landscape of the company. She is entrusted with safeguarding the company’s legal interests, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing strategic guidance on complex legal issues. From contract negotiations to risk management, her aim is to support informed decision-making while mitigating legal exposure. With a focus on ethical standards and proactive legal strategies, she collaborates across departments to achieve business objectives efficiently and responsibly. Melissa earned a B.A in Political Science from Mount St. Mary’s University and a J.D. from the University of Baltimore Law School. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three daughters.

Karen Davis

Chief Customer Officer

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Karen Davis

Chief Customer Officer

Karen is an experienced Customer Success professional with a proven track record of driving client satisfaction and effective engagement. Skilled in relationship management, customer support and onboarding, Karen has partnered with Enterprise and small market clients in a variety of industries. As the Chief Customer Officer at Würk, Karen leads a team of Human Resources and Payroll technology experts that offer support to the growing cannabis industry. With previous experience in multiple start-ups in the HR and Benefits space, Karen understands common challenges and uses that experience to drive customer engagement and a mutually beneficial long-term relationship. Karen graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Marketing.

Jennifer Meadows

Chief Operating Officer

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Jennifer Meadows

Chief Operating Officer

The cannabis industry exists to facilitate a healthier and happier community.

Würk’s responsibility is to protect the people and businesses of the cannabis industry so they can focus their energies on making social change in the world we live.

Würk allows cannabis companies to manage payroll, human resources, timekeeping, scheduling, and tax regulation and minimizes compliance risks in the ever-changing cannabis regulatory environment. The company uses its expertise and trusted partnerships to provide guidance on 280E tax law, accounting, and banking. Its platform is designed to scale nationally with the growth of the industry while incorporating the local laws and regulations unique to individual states.

Learn more about the Platform Become a Partner

Würk’s founder, Keegan Peterson, was an outspoken public advocate and thought leader for the cannabis industry and was an associate producer on the 2018 documentary Weed The People. From filmmakers Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein, this look beyond politics and propaganda will challenge everything you might have known about cannabis and reveals the brave stories of ordinary families who are exploring the benefits of medical marijuana to save the lives of their most precious loved ones – their children.

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