Our Team
Richie Gray
VP, Global Head of SnackFutures
Superpower
Pushing boundaries: Inspiring people to see and reach their highest potential
Bio
Richie Gray is the Global Head of Mondelēz International's SnackFutures Corporate Venture Capital Hub. Richie's mission is to build a high growth portfolio of game changers for the global snacking leader by identifying and investing in brands, companies and technologies that have the potential to disrupt the future of snacking; and to partner with the founders and management teams to accelerate their path to scale.
Richie has a 30-year track record of growing businesses and teams, having held a variety of international leadership roles in sales, marketing, general management and M&A.
Now with Mondelēz for 25 years, Richie began his career with Guinness plc, now Diageo, in his native Scotland. He graduated with an Honours degree in Business Studies and Accounting from the University of Edinburgh. Richie is based in Zurich, Switzerland which he sees as the ideal base for working with multiple nationalities and for pursuing his passion for endurance sports challenges and skiing.
Luba Safran
Investment Lead
Superpower
True Believer: making the impossible possible
Bio
Luba Safran leads Venture Capital activity for Mondelēz International's SnackFutures Ventures. Prior to joining Mondelēz, Luba held a variety of strategic growth roles at AB InBev. There she gained experience launching new products and brands in multiple global markets. She then brought her commercial experience to bear in the venture space, joining InBev's corporate venture capital group (ZX Ventures). At ZX she led investment thesis development, deal sourcing and portfolio company support across a variety of verticals. Luba received her bachelor's from The University of Chicago and her MBA from The University of Chicago – Booth School of Business.
Barbara Schandl
Insights & Strategy Lead
Superpower
Curiosity champion: digging deep to unlock the new
Bio
Barbara Schandl is the Insights and Strategy Lead for Mondelēz International's SnackFutures Ventures. She's been with the company for more than 25 years working with multiple functions, including Marketing, R&D, Sales, and Innovation – to go deep into consumer trends, needs, shopping habits and values. Her role with SnackFutures enables her to explore and implement new test and learn models, identify global trends and market opportunities and scout for disruptive brands and businesses around the world that can drive deal flow.
Barbara has held many insights roles since starting her career in the company's EMEA region, including Consumer & Shopper Insights, marketing and strategy. She also played a pivotal role in the Tassimo Ventures team.
Barbara is now based in Switzerland to help grow SnackFutures' footprint in Europe. She graduated with an economics degree (Advertising & Sales) from the University of Vienna. Barbara is also an accredited Coach (ACC).
Simon Miles
Director, Portfolio Manager
Superpower
Challenge accepted: approaches new opportunities with calm, optimism and pragmatism
Bio
Simon Miles leads SnackFutures Venture's portfolio of investments, driving rapid growth by partnering with founders and management teams, accelerating them to scale. Simon's more than 20 years in the CPG industry, including a decade at Mondelēz, includes extensive experience and leading teams in sales, marketing, and business operations. Simon most recently led the ANZ Baked Snacks portfolio out of Australia, driving growth through brand innovation and acquisition integration. Simon will now bring these skills to managing the end to end business agenda for the SnackFutures portfolio companies.
Simon holds an Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University. Now based in New Jersey, he lives with his wife and three children.
