Manna Tree Taps Jessica Schmitt for Capital Formation Lead

Manna Tree Partners, a firm dedicated to scaling founder-led consumer brands within the health and wellness sector, has significantly bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of Jessica Schmitt as Managing Director of Capital Formation. This strategic move underscores the firm's commitment to deepening relationships with institutional investors and fueling its ongoing expansion in a market segment experiencing robust consumer and investor interest.

Schmitt brings over fifteen years of extensive experience in fundraising and investor relations, a background honed at prominent private equity firms. Her previous roles include leading investor relations at Waud Capital Partners, where she managed capital raising for a multi-billion dollar platform focused on healthcare and software. Prior to that, she established and scaled the investor relations function at Arrowroot Capital, growing its assets under management to over $500 million. Her career also includes a substantial tenure at The Riverside Company, where she contributed to capital formation efforts across its global operations.

Operating from Los Angeles, Schmitt's addition enhances Manna Tree's senior leadership footprint across key U.S. financial hubs, including New York, Minneapolis, Denver, San Francisco, and Austin. Her mandate will involve spearheading capital formation initiatives, serving as a primary liaison for Manna Tree's global investor base, and supporting the scaling of the firm's investment platform. This is particularly critical as demand for investments in health and wellness continues to surge, a sector projected to reach trillions globally.

The health and wellness industry represents a compelling niche within private markets, distinct from broader consumer trends. Manna Tree has carved out a specialized position by identifying and nurturing high-potential consumer brands that promote health and longevity. The firm's portfolio showcases successful investments in companies such as Health-Ade, Good Culture, Gotham Greens, Vital Farms, Plant People, Verde Farms, Urban Remedy, and The New Primal. Recent notable exits, including Health-Ade and Good Culture, alongside continued capital deployment into new ventures like Plant People, highlight the firm's successful value creation strategy.

Co-founder and Managing Partner Ellie Rubenstein emphasized Schmitt's crucial role in the firm's next growth phase, stating, "Jessica’s experience and relationship-driven approach will be critical as we expand the firm, deepen partnerships with our investor community, and build on the momentum we have created." Similarly, Ross Iverson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, noted, "Her background and perspective complement our leadership team as we scale, and we’re excited to have her guide our capital formation efforts."

Schmitt expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, commenting, "Manna Tree has a clear strategy investing in, scaling and successfully exiting leading brands that empower consumers to live better, longer and a differentiated focus on the rapidly growing health and wellness sector... I’m excited to help expand and strengthen its investor relations platform and support its continued growth." Her expertise is expected to be instrumental in navigating the increasing investor appetite for companies aligned with healthier consumer lifestyles.