Rhonda Smith

Rhonda Smith, a graduate of the University of Kent with a joint honors degree in History & Politics, later achieved an MA in Managing Change from the Open University. Working first in magazines and later book publishing as a Commissioning Editor, Rhonda moved to newspapers setting up books divisions with journalists both in the UK and USA. Head hunted to develop a European healthcare public relations agency, she grew the company ready for takeover by a global competitor. That exit enabled Rhonda to set up her own company Minerva which specializes in providing communication, dissemination, and training services for European and national funded research projects in the fields of agritech, bioeconomy, circular economy and sustainability as well as providing strategic support for UK based companies and organizations. Rhonda led Minerva’s role in the EU funded PROteINSECT project to develop the PRO-Insect Platform, engage with KOLs from industry, NGOs, animal feed, and veterinary fields and EU policy to develop a Consensus Business Case document on which the White Paper – "Insect Protein: Feed for the Future" – was developed and published. It was launched at a Reception in the European Parliament followed by the PROteINSECT International Conference.