Phil Brooks is a native of West Philadelphia and attended Girard College High School. He then attended American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts where he received his B.S. in Biology. Returning to Philadelphia, he joined the AmeriCorps program City Year Philadelphia where he served as a Senior Impact Manager and led over 200 18–24 year old young adults in full time volunteer service in schools across the region. After a 10-year commitment to City Year, he joined the Mayor’s Office of Education as the US2020 Program Manager of STEM Initiatives. Later, his work transitioned to the Commerce Department’s Talent Development Unit and finally to the Office of Workforce Development where he oversaw the City of Philadelphia’s citywide STEM Initiative that engaged, connected and convened employer partners and communities. He served as the Director of STEM Workforce Partnerships for the University City Science Center and was tasked with connecting and building partnerships with employers to ensure job placement of underrepresented and underserved individuals in the Greater Philadelphia area.
In collaboration with several partners, including GSK, Integral Molecular, Harrisburg University and eCLOSE Institute, Phil successfully oversaw the planning, logistics and implementation of the Building an Understanding of Lab Basics (BULB) Workforce program designed to upskill and exposure Philadelphia adult-learners to Life Science industry professionals in preparation for employment in these fields. Phil is taking part in the 2024 Results for America State and Local Workforce Fellowship where he is learning and working with government leaders to make tangible progress in improving workforce outcomes. Lastly, Phil has recently been accepted into the DiverseForce On Boards program where he will gain additional leadership development skills focused on serving effectively on nonprofit boards and representing diversity, equity and inclusion as a professional in business development and industry.
