who we are
At Danone Manifesto Ventures, we're here to offer mentorship and support to help amplify your growth. We bring together subject matter specialists, financial experts, and access to Danone's world-class expertise and resources to help companies grow and scale.
Our Leadership Team
Laurent Marcel
Chief Executive Officer
Laurent leads the Danone Manifesto Ventures team as Chief Executive Officer. He plays both a front- and back-end role, establishing the group's strategy and vision for growth and culture, while also working closely with partners and brands. With Danone for over 15 years, Laurent has lived all over the globe-from Paris and Jakarta, to Moscow and Mumbai-as a CFO and General Manager, He gained unprecedented international experience leading business units for Danone. Prior to joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, Laurent was the General Manager for Danone in India. Before joining Danone, Laurent started his career as a business lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions in Paris and New York. Laurent is a graduate of HEC Paris and a former attorney with the Paris Bar.
When He's Not Overseeing the Company
You'll find Laurent spending time with his three children or visiting art museums and galleries with his wife, who is a sculptor. He also loves playing tennis, running, surfing, skiing, reading novels and traveling the world.
Words to Live By
Dream big, do good, and enjoy the moment.
Jean-Francois Hurel
Chief Investment Officer
Jean-Francois, also known as JF, is the Chief Investment Officer at Danone Manifesto Ventures. Through a career in the US, Europe and Asia, JF gained extensive knowledge across a range of disciplines, from external development transactions to operational business units. Prior to joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, JF was the Vice President of Finance for Danone Dairy in both the UK and Ireland. He also served as the Director of Corporate Development for Asia Pacific & Middle East. Before joining Danone, JF started his career in M&A at Lazard and also worked in private equity focusing on the renewable energy sector. JF is a graduate of EM Lyon and University Paris Dauphine.
When He's Not Strategizing
After his family, JF's top interest in life is food, So he often combines them by cooking new meals and testing them on his wife and kids. When he's not wearing his chef's hat, he can often be found at his local grocery store checking out new products and food trends.
Words to Live By
Happiness is not a state to arrrive at, but a matter of traveling.
Paul Chifflet
HEAD OF DMV EUROPE
Paul is the Head of Danone Manifesto Ventures in Europe, where he combines his experience in finance and strategy to identify innovative startups and promising propositions disrupting the food space. He also works closely with portfolio partners to optimize their development and growth strategy. Prior to joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, Paul worked for Danone for over 6 years, most recently as co-CFO for Danone’s Asia-Pacific baby food business, as well as a Project Director for Danone M&A. Previously, he was a leverage finance manager for RBS Global Banking & Markets and a strategy consultant at Hemeria (now a part of Oliver Wyman), where he primarily worked on industrial and logistic performance projects. Paul holds a Masters in Science in Industrial Engineering from CentraleSupelec.
When He’s Not Meeting Inspiring Entrepreneurs
Paul is a passionate cook and always goes back to his grandmother’s recipe book for inspiration. He finds peace and comfort in his family vineyard, which he harvests following high organic standards. Paul is also a big board sports fan, which you will find him practicing during the holidays with his wife and children.
Words to Live By
Never, never, never give up.
holly jackson
Ventures Director
As a Ventures Director, Holly uses both her analytical and creative thinking skills to help identify like-minded brands and entrepreneurs as potential partners. She also helps her portfolio partners build strategies and solve business challenges to exceed their growth expectations. Before joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, Holly worked for Danone as a Brand Manager for Activia and Danimals, where her love for the food industry was born. Previously, she worked as a financial and litigation consultant at both Deloitte and Navigant Consulting in Chicago. She holds an MBA from New York University and a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
When She's Not Finding Novel Opportunities
Holly loves recreating celebrity chef-inspired dishes. When she's not whipping up something delicious, she likes to explore new cities and see the world through the eyes of her toddler.
Words to Live By
An open mind will open doors that you might not have thought of.
Molly Breiner
Ventures Director
Molly is a Ventures Director for Danone Manifesto Ventures, where she brings her extensive expertise in marketing and management to help identify attractive brands and models and to support our portfolio companies to their fullest potential. Molly's passion for growth and consumers makes her a critical business partner for those seeking disruptive innovation. Before Danone Manifesto Ventures, Molly was the VP Marketing and Sales of Aloha and VP Marketing of Happy Family. Her earlier experiences include Brand Management at Unilever as well as a tenure as an Equity Analyst with Franklin Templeton Investments. Molly holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Columbia University in the City of New York.
When She's Not Dreaming Up Consumer Strategies
Molly is eating, thinking about eating, or negotiating with her children on what they are going to eat.
Words to Live By
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.
GILLIAN GOULART
VENTURES MANAGER
Gillian serves as a Ventures Manager at Danone Manifesto Ventures. Gillian plays an active role on deal sourcing and due diligence as well as portfolio collaboration activities across investment opportunities. Gillian has a personal passion for the sustainability of our food system and access to healthy food. Prior to joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, Gillian was a management consultant at The Boston Consulting Group, working primarily with food and beverage companies. Gillian started her career in investment banking with Deutsche Bank in New York City. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in History.
When She's Not Looking for Quality Nutrient Sources
Gillian spends her time cooking, hiking and running, spending time with her family and friends on both the west and east coasts, reading, and dreaming of one day opening a bakery with her three older sisters.
Words to Live By
Why not?
Kenta Nomoto
INVESTMENT ANALYST
Kenta serves as an Investment Analyst at Danone Manifesto Ventures. He plays an active role in identifying and building relationships with start-up companies as well as supporting portfolio partners’ growth and collaboration projects. With a passion for numbers, Kenta brings his analytical and problem solving skills to the team. Prior to joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, Kenta was an Analyst at RBC Capital Markets, advising on M&A transactions across Consumer & Retail and other industries. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
When He's Not Crunching Numbers
Kenta is an avid Michigan sports fan and loves getting together with friends and family to cheer on his favorite Wolverine football and basketball teams. When he’s not watching sports he’s trying to find the best yet unknown restaurants in New York City.
Words to Live By
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Jennifer Bernhardt
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Jen returned to Danone as the Director of Sales for Danone Manifesto Ventures, bringing her extensive experience in sales strategy and execution to the fund’s portfolio companies. She helps these partners optimize their channel strategy and sales plans, equipping them with the tools needed to drive for growth. Passionate about food, Jen began her career in sales at Kraft Foods in category management. She then joined Danone North America in 2005 holding many sales positions over 11 years, including VP of Sales for the Central Division and VP of Sales of Stonyfield. Before coming back to Danone, Jen was a trusted advisor for a number of food startups, enabling her to nurture her passion for entrepreneurs. Jen holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance from Illinois State University.
When She’s Not Meeting Inspiring Entrepreneurs
Jen loves cooking and testing out new recipes. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jen loves to discover new flavors by attending food tours in new cities. In the summertime, you will find her on an outdoor patio, spending time with her friends and family.
Words to Live By
Live in the moment
Jean Prevot
VP Operations
Jean recently returned to Danone to serve as VP Operations at Danone Manifesto Ventures, bringing to the portfolio companies his extensive knowledge of management, operations and supply chain. A food enthusiast at heart, Jean has worked in the food and dairy industries since the start of his career. He launched his career at Danone in dairy manufacturing plants in France before moving to Hungary to become the Plant Manager for Bongrain, the French cheese company. He then moved to the US to build a factory and head cheese operations for an American artisanal cheese company before becoming VP Operations at Kite Hill in 2012. He then became Kite Hill's COO leading their operations, manufacturing and R&D. He holds a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Arts et Metiers Paris Tech.
When He's Not Keeping the Gears Turning
Jean loves to cook and bake, especially with his wife and three kids. When not in the kitchen, he enjoys spending time outdoors on backpacking trips.
Words to Live By
Ain't no mountain high enough.
Patti Phan
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Patti is a Director of Operations at Danone Manifesto Ventures where she focuses on helping portfolio companies solve manufacturing and operational challenges as well as identify new opportunities to support growth. She brings her extensive experience in sourcing and working with co-manufacturing partners to help her start-up partners produce their best products. An optimist by nature, Patti is motivated by new challenges and innovative ideas. Before joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, Patti worked for Danone in co-manufacturing procurement. Previously, she worked in external manufacturing and sourcing across categories for Mars and commodity buying and logistics coordinating for Cargill. She holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Arts in Russian and Political Science from the University of Notre Dame.
When She’s Not Figuring Out How to Make Things Work
Patti loves all things outdoors, including camping, hiking, mountain biking and skiing. When she’s not conquering her latest hike, you can find her at the coffee bar she runs at her church.
Words to Live By
Don’t let people tell you your ideas won’t work.
Aurelien Cohen
General Counsel
Aurelien is the General Counsel of Danone Manifesto Ventures, where he supports all legal aspects of investment activities and provides strategic counsel to the portfolio companies in legal and regulatory matters. Aurelien's sound business sense, pragmatism and passion for finding the most collaborative solutions make him the lawyer you want to have on your team. Prior to joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, Aurelien was senior legal counsel to Danone's corporate development group, where he led numerous transactions around the world, gained valuable industry experience and developed a deep understanding of long term partnerships. He's a former attorney with Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier (Paris) and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (NY). He holds an LLM from Columbia Law School, a law degree from University Paris 2, and is a graduate of ESSEC Business School in Paris. Aurelien is admitted to both the New York and Paris bars.
When He's Not Lawyering
Aurelien loves spending time with his Swedish wife and their two American sons. He likes running along the Hudson River, staying close to his friends wherever they may be, and daydreaming about furniture design and vintage pieces.
Words to Live By
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Jacob Afriat
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Jacob is the Finance Director of Danone Manifesto Ventures, where he brings his extensive experience in finance spanning across financial modeling, analytics, budgeting and strategy. Jacob strives to help entrepreneurs capitalize on growth opportunities while instilling strategic financial discipline. Prior to joining Danone Manifesto Ventures, Jacob led the financial function at several early stage companies focused in Food & Beverage as well as Health & Wellness and eCommerce. Jacob started his career in banking at Credit Suisse in New York before moving to HSBC in London, Paris and Miami. Jacob holds an MBA from INSEAD and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Finance from Yeshiva University.
When He's Not Building Financial Models
Jacob can be found building magnet tile towers with his three sons, helping his wife’s medicinal tea business or planning his next family vacation in Excel. He’s also passionate about real estate investing and sustainability projects.
Words to Live By
"You're better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve." Marcus Aurelius
JESSICA BORDES
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
As Executive Assistant at Danone Manifesto Ventures, Jessica plays an integral role in supporting the entire team. She tackles internal coordination, workflow systematization, relationship management, and more. Prior to joining the team, Jessica worked in various roles at the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations, including as an attaché focusing on social issues such as discrimination of women, as a communications officer, and as an Executive Assistant to the Ambassador of the Permanent of Haiti, who she followed as he became U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and on to Chair to the Advisory Committee on Administration and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). Jessica holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Marketing Management from Baruch College.
When She's Not Being a Multi-Tasking Maven
Jessica loves reading, cooking for holiday get-togethers, swimming, and interior decorating.
Words to Live By
Always trust your gut; it will never fail you.
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