Ngiste is Vice President of Public Policy at Columbia Care, one of the largest medical and adult use cannabis operators in the country. She focuses on expanding medical cannabis programs and equitable legalization. In 2021, she was awarded the inaugural Industry Leader Award from Cannabis Business Times. She is the former President and current Vice Chair of the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association. Prior to that, she was co-founder of Undaunted Ventures, a political consulting firm which specializes in innovative narrative, training, and leadership coaching services, and which grew out of her work training organizations and working on campaigns across Virginia. She is the co-founder and co-director emerita of New Leaders Council Virginia, a progressive leadership institute. Ngiste holds a BA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a Masters in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She happily gives and receives recommendations for sci-fi novels and board games.