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Vicki Phillips
Lifelong educator champion. Believer in the promise of young people. CEO National Center on Education and the Economy. Former: Teacher, Superintendent, CSSO, NFP leader Gates Foundation and National Geographic Society.
Dr. Vicki Phillips is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), a position she has held since July 2022.13 With a career spanning over three decades in education, Dr. Phillips has been driven by a determination to ensure all students are prepared for future success in work and life.4
Dr. Phillips's extensive experience includes roles as:
- A teacher in Kentucky
- State-level policymaker
- Nonprofit leader
- Superintendent of schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Portland, Oregon
- Secretary of Education for Pennsylvania
- Director of K-12 education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Executive Vice President and Chief Education Officer at National Geographic
At NCEE, Dr. Phillips leads efforts to help states, districts, and schools design and implement high-performing education systems.14 Her work focuses on:
- Connecting education with the economy
- Eradicating barriers and elevating effective practices
- Driving transformative progress through research, policy, and practice
- Building bridges across political perspectives
- Cultivating educational leaders
Dr. Phillips holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, a Master's degree in School Psychology from Western Kentucky University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom.23
Throughout her career, Dr. Phillips has championed innovative approaches to education, including personalized learning, teacher support, and the use of technology to enhance educational experiences.5 Her leadership at NCEE continues to focus on systemic improvement in U.S. education, aiming for more equitable outcomes for all students.3


