Manna Tree, a health and wellness investment firm, has named Jessica Schmitt as managing director of capital formation, overseeing global investor relations and strategic growth initiatives. Schmitt, based in Los Angeles, brings extensive experience from Waud Capital Partners and Arrowroot Capital, where she pioneered investor relations strategies. Her new role focuses on expanding the firm’s market presence amid rising consumer demand for wellness-focused investments.

Schmitt’s appointment aligns with Manna Tree’s aggressive push to scale its portfolio, leveraging her expertise in navigating complex capital markets. Prior to Waud, she was Arrowroot Capital’s first head of investor relations, establishing frameworks now used industry-wide. Analysts note her track record in securing mid-eight-figure deals, a critical asset as Manna Tree targets high-growth wellness brands.

The move signals Manna Tree’s deepening commitment to health and wellness, a sector projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. Schmitt’s Los Angeles base positions her to tap into West Coast innovation hubs, while her global network strengthens the firm’s investor outreach. Investors highlight her ability to bridge niche wellness trends with institutional capital.

Manna Tree’s strategic hiring underscores its ambition to dominate the wellness investment space, with Schmitt’s dual focus on deal execution and investor engagement poised to drive measurable growth. The firm’s recent $120 million fundraise for wellness startups exemplifies this trajectory, though long-term success will depend on balancing rapid expansion with sector volatility.