Manna Tree, a global private equity firm in the health and wellness sector, headquartered in Vail, CO, has appointed former Cotopaxi executive Grace Zuncic as its first managing director of human talent, effective January 2, 2025.
Zuncic will lead Manna Tree’s “comprehensive talent and culture initiatives, including recruitment, professional development and workplace culture enhancement,” the company said in a media release. “Her appointment is intended to strengthen the firm’s ability to attract new talent as it grows and support the expanding investment portfolio.”
“At Manna Tree, we believe our people and the culture we have created together are our greatest assets, and Grace’s addition is designed to allow us to further strengthen our team in order to make a positive impact in consumer health and wellness,” said Ellie Rubenstein, co-founder and managing partner, Manna Tree. “Her proven ability to scale mission-driven organizations, from her early days at Chobani to her recent leadership at Cotopaxi, aligns perfectly with our focus on empowering consumers to live better, longer lives through improved health and wellness.”
Manna Tree Co-Founder and Managing Partner Ross Iverson added, “We believe there is significant investment opportunity in the health and wellness category and, as a result, we must invest in the strength of our team to be able to scale alongside our portfolio companies,” he noted. “I believe Grace will be an invaluable contributor to Manna Tree’s growth in the years ahead.”
Before Manna Tree, Zuncic was Cotopaxi’s chief people and impact officer and senior advisor. Her consumer goods experience also includes over a decade at Chobani, where she held multiple executive positions, including chief people and culture officer and SVP of corporate development and strategy. She also serves on the Board of Directors for King Arthur Baking Company and the Cotopaxi Foundation Board.
“I’m thrilled to join Ellie, Ross and the entire Manna Tree team in their mission of advancing consumer health and wellness,” said Zuncic. “The firm’s commitment to identifying and scaling innovative solutions across nutrition, active lifestyles, and overall well-being resonates deeply with my passion for building purpose-driven organizations. I look forward to strengthening our team’s capabilities as we seek to continue to invest in companies that enable better, longer lives.”
Zuncic holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree, Summa Cum Laude, in Philosophy and Political Science from Boston College.
Images courtesy Manna Tree
