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Meet the Exec Committee: Adriana Casillas

Meet Adriana Casillas, IPIFF President

We’re thrilled to share some insights from IPIFF’s top floor. In the upcoming weeks, we will be sharing blitz interviews with IPIFF’s Executive Committee, starting this week with Ms Adriana Casillas, IPIFF’s President.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Adriana Casillas. I’m the CEO and co-founder of Tebrio. We are located in Spain.

What does your company do?

Tebrio breeds and transforms insects. In our case, this is the Tenebrio Molitor, or the yellow mealworm, which we transform into protein lipids for animal feed, as well as for other by-products used in cosmetics, pharma and soil fertilisation.

How did your career in sustainable protein production begin?

Well, it all started because of something rather personal. I have always been cognizant of my footprint on that planet – what will I have done for the world when I am gone? Couple this with my experience in managing agro-industry companies, and Tebrio was born. I believe it to be a wonderful opportunity to conduct my personal and professional life at the same time.

If you could have one superhero power, what would it be and why?

I don’t have any. And being aware of this is a superpower in its own right.

What qualities do you look for when hiring new talent?

First and foremost, we look for people with good professional skills and high personal morals. This is very important for me, because at Tebrio we are building a new industry, and in this sense – we are setting the bar.

For me, professional and personal growth go hand in hand, and this is something that is reflected in our company values at Tebrio.

Describe the colour red without using any colour name.

Red is passion.

How can science help humanity?

Well, I think it’s the moment of biotechnology in every market around the globe. We are continuing to see the growing need for sustainable solutions in a variety of sectors, including agri-food. To this end, science will help humanity move the needle.

We need to trust the scientific method, and we are proud to be representing an industry whose bedrock is science.

What piece of advice would you give your 15-year-old self?

Aim for impact that benefits society.