Vicki is CEO of the National Center on Education and the Economy where she leads NCEE's work to help states, districts, and schools discover, design and lead high performing education systems. Formerly, Dr. Phillips served as the chief education officer at the National Geographic Society. At the Society, she designed and led the global education strategy focused on providing game-changing tools for educators and transforming the learning experience for millions of young people, inspiring them to become the next generation of planetary stewards. Dr. Phillips' career in education spans more than three decades, driven by a fierce determination to help all students realize their dreams. She has tirelessly championed students' rights to a high-quality education through her many leadership roles, including as a teacher, state-level policymaker, nonprofit leader, superintendent of schools, state secretary of basic and higher education, and as the director of education, College Ready, at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.