Dr. Joe Phillips

Dr. Joe Phillips is a visionary executive with over two decades of leadership experience spanning district strategic planning, educational governance, and large-scale technology transformation. He currently serves as the Chief Strategy and Technology Officer (CSTO) for Fulton County Schools, one of the largest public school systems in the United States. In this cabinet-level role, Dr. Phillips owns and executes the district’s overarching strategic planning roadmap while leading a comprehensive Strategy and Technology Division of over 400 staff members. His expansive portfolio fuses high-level district administration with technical operations, including direct oversight of Strategy, Governance, Charter Schools, School Governance and Flexibility, Research, Evaluation, Accountability, Cybersecurity, and Digital Transformation Strategies. His leadership ensures that cutting-edge technology infrastructure and long-term institutional goals are perfectly aligned to enhance student learning, operational efficiency, and system security.

Before joining Fulton County, Dr. Phillips served as the CIO for Broward County Public Schools, the sixth-largest school district in the nation. At Broward, his impact was defined by rigorous fiscal stewardship and systems-level modernization, generating over $1 million in annual savings through organizational restructuring. His tenure resulted in the successful implementation of 5G Innovation Labs, predictive data analytics projects to identify at-risk students, and the rollout of comprehensive cybersecurity measures, establishing new national benchmarks for how large public institutions leverage digital tools to improve educational and human outcomes.

Dr. Phillips’ executive framework is deeply rooted in high-stakes leadership, beginning with his career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. His military tenure included critical roles as a Commander, Chief of Staff, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Human Resources Officer. Managing large-scale operations in complex environments provided him with a foundational expertise in strategic planning, risk mitigation, resource allocation, and talent development. He has seamlessly transferred these executive skills into public education, driving large, diverse school systems to operate with precision, agility, and structural cohesion.

As a recognized national thought leader, advisor, and speaker, Dr. Phillips frequently collaborates with boards and executive peers across the country to solve systemic institutional challenges at the intersection of education, strategy, and technology. He is particularly renowned for his ability to transform traditional operational and IT divisions into strategic enablers of success, balancing innovation with strict fiscal discipline.

Dr. Phillips holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, a Master’s in Business and Organizational Security Management, and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. His academic and professional credentials are complemented by numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 100 EdTech Leaders in the U.S. and a finalist for South Florida CIO of the Year. Ultimately, his career demonstrates a profound commitment to empowering people, optimizing public resources, and building the collaborative, forward-looking cultures necessary for entire school communities to thrive.