Maria grew up on a family winery, where she developed a deep appreciation for the food value chain from an early age. She studied Business Administration at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and completed a Master’s degree in Finance at Nova SBE in Lisbon, Portugal. Her academic journey included experiences abroad in Indiana and Los Angeles.

She began her professional career at McKinsey & Company, focusing on the Consumer and Private Equity sectors, where she successfully completed over 15 commercial due diligence projects. Following this, she joined the investment team of a British mid-cap Private Equity fund where she specialized in the consumer sector, serving as Board Observer for a leading German supplements company. During this time, she developed a strong interest in consumer nutrition & health and recognized her passion for working with young and growing companies.

Driven by her passion for investments, health and food innovation, she joined Zintinus, embracing the opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions in sustainable nutrition. Outside of her professional work, she is a certified yoga teacher and spends much of her free time in nature. Her personal and professional interests intersect around health, wellness, and spirituality.