Full Name
Rosemary Smith
Speaker Bio
Rosemary Smith
Managing Director – Getting Better Foundation
Impact Producer – “Trust Me” award-winning documentary
Short Bio: Rosemary Smith has accumulated considerable international experience in the media over the last three decades. She began her career in media as a co-owner of FCC licensed radio stations throughout Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Rosemary is a media literacy expert, Montana’s state lead for Media Literacy Now, and envoy to the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase. She manages Montana based Getting Better Foundation, spearheads its global distribution of award-winning “Trust Me” Documentary and the film’s educational curriculum in partner with News Literacy Project.
In addition to her experience as a broadcaster, Rosemary has authored many blogs and is working on her first children’s book about media literacy. She’s delivered presentations and contributed to publications on media and citizenship-related issues in dozens of countries. Rosemary remains interested by the challenges posed by emerging media forms and issues relating to media literacy, mental health, peace, and democracy.
Long Bio: Along with Getting Better’s Founder & CEO, Joe Phelps, Rosemary believes it is an exciting time to be alive, although not everyone believes that to be the case. Could media “ill-literacy” be part of the dilemma affecting mental well-being, polarization of communities, racism, anxiety, depression, extremism, and suicidology? The non-partisan Foundation’s mission of “building trust through the truth about the positive evolution of human progress” supports media & information literacy (MIL) and has produced the award-winning documentary “Trust Me” Documentary to bring awareness of what may be the most important topic of our time.
Rosemary was Vice President & National Sales Manager of Michigan’s Eagle Radio Group. She did everything from copywriting to advertising sales & community involvement, while managing content and creative staff. Rosemary and her husband, Kent built their media group from the ground up, including towers and transmitters, buildings, and talent. In one of the worst economic downturns the state of Michigan ever faced, Eagle Radio became the “go-to” for listeners and media clients in dozens of markets. Eagle Radio was honored with the title of “The Voice” of Northern Michigan for their award-winning morning shows in each of the markets they served. Their motto of “take care of our communities and they’ll take care of us” set the bar for service above self.
The Smiths sold their group of radio stations in 2018, relocating to Montana to be closer to their four adult children. That’s where Rosemary met Joe Phelps, founder, and CEO of the Getting Better Foundation. Realizing their missions were closely aligned, Rosemary came on board as GBF’s Managing Director. As “Trust Me’s” Impact Producer, Rosemary helped cement the foundation’s world class advisory board of scientists, psychologists, neuro-economists, journalists, and media literacy specialists. She recruited Hollywood talent to direct and produce the Walter Cronkite Awarded feature, “Trust Me” and is spearheading its global distribution. Rosemary’s passion for making things better for everyone she meets and the environment she loves makes her a perfect fit at GBF. Her research, writing, networking, and communication skills are assets used to drive the film project forward, bringing others onboard.
Rosemary lives the motto of service above self in her role at Getting Better Foundation. She led the partnership with News Lit Project to write “Trust Me’s” K-12 Curriculum, Collegiate and Parental Guides. Rosemary’s favorite part of her job is collaborating with schools, universities, and other non-profits to provide “Trust Me’s” educational frameworks as educator resources. She researches and recognizes links between media “ill-literacy” and mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and suicidology. Smith worked with Detroit’s Henry Ford Health Systems to bring Dr. Brian Ahmedani’s “Zero Suicide” protocol to the Northern Michigan communities served by her radio stations, then to Park and Gallatin Counties, Montana. The protocol helps reduce the stigma of asking for mental health and uses proven screens in schools and hospitals to identify those at risk for self-harm. Rosemary serves as Montana’s chapter leader with Media Literacy Now (MLN), a proponent supporting legislative efforts for MIL in schools. She serves as a board member and volunteer for organizations like the International Council 4 Media Literacy (IC4ML) and is an associate educator for the Center for Media Literacy. Rosemary is active with UNESCO’s GapMIL, and U.S. Embassies globally to help bring awareness of MIL in building trust, resilience, and hope in people. Coincidentally, NATO considers MIL a strategic defense initiative in preserving democracy.
Managing Director – Getting Better Foundation
Impact Producer – “Trust Me” award-winning documentary
Short Bio: Rosemary Smith has accumulated considerable international experience in the media over the last three decades. She began her career in media as a co-owner of FCC licensed radio stations throughout Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Rosemary is a media literacy expert, Montana’s state lead for Media Literacy Now, and envoy to the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase. She manages Montana based Getting Better Foundation, spearheads its global distribution of award-winning “Trust Me” Documentary and the film’s educational curriculum in partner with News Literacy Project.
In addition to her experience as a broadcaster, Rosemary has authored many blogs and is working on her first children’s book about media literacy. She’s delivered presentations and contributed to publications on media and citizenship-related issues in dozens of countries. Rosemary remains interested by the challenges posed by emerging media forms and issues relating to media literacy, mental health, peace, and democracy.
Long Bio: Along with Getting Better’s Founder & CEO, Joe Phelps, Rosemary believes it is an exciting time to be alive, although not everyone believes that to be the case. Could media “ill-literacy” be part of the dilemma affecting mental well-being, polarization of communities, racism, anxiety, depression, extremism, and suicidology? The non-partisan Foundation’s mission of “building trust through the truth about the positive evolution of human progress” supports media & information literacy (MIL) and has produced the award-winning documentary “Trust Me” Documentary to bring awareness of what may be the most important topic of our time.
Rosemary was Vice President & National Sales Manager of Michigan’s Eagle Radio Group. She did everything from copywriting to advertising sales & community involvement, while managing content and creative staff. Rosemary and her husband, Kent built their media group from the ground up, including towers and transmitters, buildings, and talent. In one of the worst economic downturns the state of Michigan ever faced, Eagle Radio became the “go-to” for listeners and media clients in dozens of markets. Eagle Radio was honored with the title of “The Voice” of Northern Michigan for their award-winning morning shows in each of the markets they served. Their motto of “take care of our communities and they’ll take care of us” set the bar for service above self.
The Smiths sold their group of radio stations in 2018, relocating to Montana to be closer to their four adult children. That’s where Rosemary met Joe Phelps, founder, and CEO of the Getting Better Foundation. Realizing their missions were closely aligned, Rosemary came on board as GBF’s Managing Director. As “Trust Me’s” Impact Producer, Rosemary helped cement the foundation’s world class advisory board of scientists, psychologists, neuro-economists, journalists, and media literacy specialists. She recruited Hollywood talent to direct and produce the Walter Cronkite Awarded feature, “Trust Me” and is spearheading its global distribution. Rosemary’s passion for making things better for everyone she meets and the environment she loves makes her a perfect fit at GBF. Her research, writing, networking, and communication skills are assets used to drive the film project forward, bringing others onboard.
Rosemary lives the motto of service above self in her role at Getting Better Foundation. She led the partnership with News Lit Project to write “Trust Me’s” K-12 Curriculum, Collegiate and Parental Guides. Rosemary’s favorite part of her job is collaborating with schools, universities, and other non-profits to provide “Trust Me’s” educational frameworks as educator resources. She researches and recognizes links between media “ill-literacy” and mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and suicidology. Smith worked with Detroit’s Henry Ford Health Systems to bring Dr. Brian Ahmedani’s “Zero Suicide” protocol to the Northern Michigan communities served by her radio stations, then to Park and Gallatin Counties, Montana. The protocol helps reduce the stigma of asking for mental health and uses proven screens in schools and hospitals to identify those at risk for self-harm. Rosemary serves as Montana’s chapter leader with Media Literacy Now (MLN), a proponent supporting legislative efforts for MIL in schools. She serves as a board member and volunteer for organizations like the International Council 4 Media Literacy (IC4ML) and is an associate educator for the Center for Media Literacy. Rosemary is active with UNESCO’s GapMIL, and U.S. Embassies globally to help bring awareness of MIL in building trust, resilience, and hope in people. Coincidentally, NATO considers MIL a strategic defense initiative in preserving democracy.
Speaking At
