NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The LIVEKINDLY Collective, a portfolio of heritage and startup brands on track to become one of the world’s largest plant-based food companies, today announced the appointment of David Knopf as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective July 30, 2020.
Knopf joins the LIVEKINDLY Collective from 3G Capital, a global investment firm, where he was a partner since 2015. Previously, Knopf held several senior leadership roles at the Kraft Heinz Company, including Chief Financial Officer, and held positions in private equity at Onex Partners, and investment banking at Goldman Sachs. Knopf was also named in Forbes’ 30-under-30 list in 2017 for his role in the $11-billion Burger King-Tim Hortons merger and the merger of Heinz and Kraft.
“We’re excited to welcome David to the LIVEKINDLY Collective as CFO,” said Kees Kruythoff, CEO and Chairman of the LIVEKINDLY Collective. “David brings extensive financial, M&A, and strategic experience. This, combined with his deep knowledge of the food industry and scaling high-growth companies, makes him a huge asset to the LIVEKINDLY Collective as we accelerate our mission to transform the global food system and make plant-based eating the new normal.”
Joanna Liu also joins LIVEKINDLY as the CEO of Greater China, effective August 16, 2020. Liu brings with her more than 20 years of experience as a commercial leader in Greater China food companies, including her most recent experience as a founder in the McCain Asian Food Service Incubator. Prior to this, Liu’s experience included roles of increasing responsibility at both Nestlé and Coca-Cola China.
“Joanna’s leadership in Greater China has been instrumental in driving growth for consumer food brands for more than two decades. Her industry and regional insights will set up the LIVEKINDLY Collective for entry into one of the most exciting markets in the world and support our ambition to spearhead a global food transformation with environmentally friendly meat alternatives ,” said Kruythoff.
Under the leadership of global food industry veterans, the LIVEKINDLY Collective is working to make plant-based living the new normal by building an ecosystem of founder-led plant-based consumer brands including: The Fry Family Food Co., LikeMeat, Oumph! and lifestyle brand, LIVEKINDLY.