STILLWATER. – Oklahoma State University Agriculture launched a Dean’s Dialogue series Nov. 30 focusing on vital conversations in the agricultural industry.
“The Dean’s Dialogue allows us to get together and talk in ways that will challenge us to think more broadly about some of the problems and issues we all care about,” said Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. “We want to elevate discussions about agriculture both within the Ferguson College of Agriculture and across the university, raising visibility for our programs and faculty here at home and around the country.”
During the first Dean’s Dialogue event, Lusk sat down with Gabrielle (Ellie) Rubenstein, co-founder and managing partner of Manna Tree. Manna Tree is a global private equity firm committed to improving human health through nutrition. The firm invests and actively partners with growth-stage companies, driven by the core belief that health, well-being and longevity are attainable through food innovation.
Held in the OSU Student Union, numerous faculty and staff, university leaders and industry partners attended the event.
“This is a true honor,” Rubenstein said. “Dr. Lusk was my capstone advisor for my master’s degree, and I was honored to get to work with him. Manna Tree was inspired by my capstone research. It was started by saying food should be an asset class, and here’s how you can invest in it.”
Rubenstein’s fascination with the food, agriculture and health sectors can be traced back to her family. Growing up, she was shaped by a mother who prioritized sourcing their food and a father who engaged in discussions about investment opportunities.
Her passion for hunting and fishing played a pivotal role in steering her toward a career as a food investor, attributing her unique perspective and love for these activities as significant factors in her professional journey.
“I am very proud of being a hunter in sourcing our food and believing in not just eating meat, but what animals and livestock do for you and the environment,” Rubenstein said.
Lusk and Rubenstein covered a multitude of topics, including food and agriculture investing philosophies, trends, health concepts and research opportunities.
Rubenstein said it’s important for companies like Manna Tree to partner with universities that understand livestock. She also had advice for research institutions like OSU to be more effective.
“I would say partner with private equity firms; we’re desperate for knowledge,” she said. “We don’t have R&D arms per se; that’s not what we’re good at. We need academics and research, and we love partnering with research entities.”
Rubenstein earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Harvard University, where she was a varsity ski racer. She earned a master’s degree in agriculture economics from Purdue University and an MBA in agribusiness from Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business, where she was a Tobias Fellow.
“It was such a pleasure to have Ellie with us for the first Dean’s Dialogue,” Lusk said. “Her challenge to be innovative and consumer-focused is one that will continue to inspire as we plan for the future.”
The Nov. 30 event is the first of many Dean’s Dialogue sessions. Planning is underway for more events in 2024.
