Manna Tree Partners announced that Jessica Schmitt has joined the firm as Managing Director of Capital Formation, focusing on strengthening relationships with institutional investors and supporting the firm’s continued growth. Based in Los Angeles, Schmitt’s appointment expands the firm’s senior leadership presence across major U.S. financial and consumer markets, including New York, Minneapolis, Denver, San Francisco, and Austin.
Schmitt brings more than 15 years of experience in fundraising and investor relations, with a track record of building long-term partnerships with institutional investors. In her new role, she will lead capital formation initiatives, serve as a senior point of contact for Manna Tree’s global investor base, and help scale the firm’s platform as demand for health and wellness investments continues to grow.
Manna Tree has positioned itself as a specialist investor in the health and wellness sector, focusing on scaling founder-led consumer brands. The firm has built a portfolio that includes Health-Ade, Good Culture, Gotham Greens, Vital Farms, Plant People, Verde Farms, Urban Remedy, and The New Primal. Over the past year, the firm has executed notable exits, including Health-Ade and Good Culture, while continuing to deploy capital into new opportunities such as Plant People.
Prior to joining Manna Tree, Schmitt led investor relations at Waud Capital Partners, where she was responsible for fundraising and investor engagement across a multi-billion-dollar healthcare and software investment platform. She also served as the first Head of Investor Relations at Arrowroot Capital, building the firm’s investor relations function as it scaled to over $500 million in assets under management. Earlier in her career, Schmitt spent nearly a decade at The Riverside Company, contributing to fundraising and investor relations efforts across its global platform.
Founded in 2018 by Ellie Rubenstein and Ross Iverson, Manna Tree invests in companies that aim to improve consumer health and longevity. The firm continues to expand its presence as both investor and consumer interest in the health and wellness category accelerates.
KEY QUOTES
“Unlike the broader consumer sector, health and wellness remains one of the most compelling areas within the private markets, and Manna Tree is at the forefront with our leading investment platform in this space. With a demonstrated ability to create value across investments and exits, we are entering an exciting next chapter of growth as consumer and investor interest in health and wellness continues to build. 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.”
Ellie Rubenstein, Co-Founder And Managing Partner, Manna Tree
“Jessica has spent her career working closely with institutional investors and building trusted relationships. Her background and perspective complement our leadership team as we scale, and we’re excited to have her guide our capital formation efforts as the firm continues to grow and be a leader in the trillion-dollar health and wellness market.”
Ross Iverson, Co-Founder And Managing Partner, Manna Tree
“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, utilizing strong industry expertise, relationships and a deep commitment to growing high-quality companies. I’m excited to help expand and strengthen its investor relations platform and support its continued growth.”
Jessica Schmitt, Managing Director Of Capital Formation, Manna Tree
