Acacia Smith
Senior Policy Manager
Summary
Senior Policy Manager with 8+ years of experience at the intersection of scientific evidence, EU policymaking, and stakeholder engagement. Skilled in evidence synthesis, strategic communication, and facilitation. Native English speaker with strong French proficiency.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
2013
2013
years of post-secondary education
7
7
Languages
8
8
Peer-reviewed scientific papers
Work History
Senior Policy Manager
The Good Food Institute Europe (GFI)
07.2020 - Current
- Promoted in 2022 with expanded responsibilities in team management.
- Lead the organisation's Research and Development funding policy workstream, engaging with Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, and FP10.
- Synthesise scientific evidence into actionable EU policy recommendations for sustainable food systems.
- Organise and moderate multi-stakeholder workshops with European Commission and academic/industry partners.
- Contribute to organisational strategy and growth, from 4 to 40+ employees across Europe.
- Manage personnel, secure external funding, and lead team and project development.
Independent travel
03.2019 - 06.2020
- In 2019 I spent ten months cycling from Belgium to China. During this career break I experienced many challenging situations and further developed my resilience, self-initiative, adaptability, multicultural understanding and quick problem-solving abilities.
Manager - Environmental Affairs
International Road Transport Union (IRU)
05.2016 - 03.2019
- Led the environmental affairs policy area for Europe's largest road transport federation, representing over 1 million companies.
- Evaluated technical reports on emissions and alternative fuels and synthesised findings into policy advice.
- Drafted IRU's first global position on decarbonising commercial road transport by 2050.
- Initiated and chaired an Environmental Affairs Working Group with diverse European members.
- Built consensus on the CO₂ Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles, DAFI, and UVARs.
Executive Assistant to the Ambassador/ Policy Assistant
New Zealand Mission to the European Union and NATO
05.2015 - 05.2016
- Provided policy analysis on EU trade, agriculture, and development cooperation files.
- Drafted reporting notes on EU institutional developments for the New Zealand government.
- Supported diplomatic engagement activities and stakeholder outreach at EU level.
European Commission Trainee
Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development
03.2015 - 05.2015
- Maintaining relations with the UN and international financial institutions, including organising a high-level event with the UNDP, drafting EU positions, reporting, and preparing policy briefs.
Communications and Outreach Assistant
European Cyclists' Federation (ECF)
05.2014 - 12.2014
- Coordinated EU-funded sustainable mobility project Bike2Work across multiple European partners.
- Led the communication work package and managed the project's website and media activities.
- Supported dissemination of ECF's policy positions via newsletters, articles, and stakeholder outreach.
- Managed ECF's role in the NowWeMove campaign promoting physical activity across Europe.
Research Executive for European Parliament elections
TNS- Opinion
03.2014 - 05.2014
Researcher
Council for International Development
01.2010 - 12.2010
Education
Master of Arts - European Studies
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Belgium 04.2013 - 01.2014
Postgraduate Diploma - Development Studies
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand12-2010
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Studies And International Relations
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand 01.2007 - 01.2009
Skills
Evidence synthesis
undefinedTimeline
Senior Policy Manager
The Good Food Institute Europe (GFI)
07.2020 - Current
Independent travel
03.2019 - 06.2020
Manager - Environmental Affairs
International Road Transport Union (IRU)
05.2016 - 03.2019
Executive Assistant to the Ambassador/ Policy Assistant
New Zealand Mission to the European Union and NATO
05.2015 - 05.2016
European Commission Trainee
Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development
03.2015 - 05.2015
Communications and Outreach Assistant
European Cyclists' Federation (ECF)
05.2014 - 12.2014
Research Executive for European Parliament elections
TNS- Opinion
03.2014 - 05.2014
Master of Arts - European Studies
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
04.2013 - 01.2014
Researcher
Council for International Development
01.2010 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Studies And International Relations
Victoria University of Wellington
01.2007 - 01.2009
Postgraduate Diploma - Development Studies
Victoria University of Wellington
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Advanced (C1)
Dutch
Intermediate (B1)
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