Neil Phillips served as the Chief Diversity Officer of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association/Golden Globes from 2021-2023. He is an innovative speaker, consultant, and entrepreneur who delivers light and visibility to the most pressing issues of our time: value and equity. Neil focuses on creating opportunities that elevate human value in business, education, and the public/private sector. A sought-after inspirational speaker on topics of diversity, education, and culture, Neil’s unique vision and spirit of inclusivity inspires all to See More.

 

In his speaking appearances, Neil inspires audiences to embrace the opportunities that come with celebrating human value. Neil connects with audiences through his compelling, engaging, and inviting spirit... a tone too often missing from the routine discourse around this important topic. In his consulting engagements, Neil collaborates with organizational leaders as a partner and an extension of their internal team, lending insights and perspectives through his experience within the vast diversity, equity, and inclusion landscape. Neil values the voices from inside the organization, viewing them as critical to the sustainable and long-term realization of the organization’s goals and commitments.

 

Neil is a Harvard University graduate and former professional basketball player. His early career was spent in youth sports and character development at One on One Basketball and Positive Coaching Alliance. Neil returned to his alma mater, Landon School, in 2002 and served in administrative leadership roles for 10 years. While at Landon, Neil was steadfast in his focus on character, culture, and creating a more diverse and inclusive school community. Motivated to do more to address the national crisis of boys of color, Neil transitioned from Landon in 2011 and Co-Founded Visible Men Academy (VMA), a once "A" rated public Title I charter school located in Bradenton, Florida. Prior to resigning in 2021, Neil served as the Co Founder, founding Principal, and CEO of VMA. Neil’s vast and uniquely varied school leadership and startup experience - leading both public & private schools, serving lower through upper income communities, at elementary through high school levels in different geographic locations - affords him with a wealth of unparalleled insight on the K-12 educational landscape. Neil continues to work with educators, leaders and media partners who are committed to the elevation of black male achievement, fulfillment, and societal contribution.

 

Neil is an Aspen Institute Education Entrepreneurship Fellow (Pahara Institute) and a member of the inaugural Echoing Green/Open Society Foundation Black Male Achievement Fellowship. Neil is a multiple-time winner of The Nantucket Project Audience Award for his provocative talk on race in America called “Race to Truth”, for his compelling on-stage conversation with famed television producer Norman Lear and, most recently, for his on-stage conversation with former President George W. Bush.

 

Currently, Neil and his work are the subject of a feature-length documentary film with The Nantucket Project, focusing on his personal and professional journey elevating black boys and men. The film, entitled BOY will be completed at the spring of 2026. Neil is authoring a book by the same name.

 

Neil recently concluded his board service to Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants as well as CBAM Partners, which was acquired by The Carlyle Group in 2022. Neil currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Golden Globes Membership Board, The Nantucket Project, and The Children’s Literacy Initiative.

 

Neil’s past clients include Eldridge Industries, Beautycounter, Cain International, Champlain College, Golub Capital, NASA, The Nantucket Project, Northbridge Financial Corporation, YMCA, and TheZenith.

 

Neil has two sons, Reece and Blair, the loves of his life. He lives in Sarasota, Florida.