Abbey Philips

Abbey Philips is a macro Social Worker by training and began her public policy career with the goal of centering equity and creating systemic change while eliminating racism, discrimination, and barriers to economic mobility.

She has extensive experience working in the Virginia General Assembly, from running special projects in the Governor’s office as Assistant Secretary of the Commonwealth to serving as Chief of Staff for a state Delegate and Senator. Abbey also has experience working in the nonprofit sector.

Abbey is committed to empowering and uplifting marginalized communities in the policy arena and is excited to bring her experience to LAJC. She has seen first hand how power, money, and stature can provide access and influence in the government and policy-making arena and how this influence and its corresponding outcomes can often be in direct contrast to what marginalized communities want and need.  

She is a co-founder and board member of a philanthropic giving circle, Collective 365, a Henrico County Court Appointed Special Advocate for 14 years, and serves on the Virginia Criminal Justice Service Board. Abbey loves to read, run, and be in nature. One of her favorite authors is Octavia Butler who wrote “all that you touch you Change. All that you Change Changes you.” Abbey lives in Richmond, Virginia with her child, spouse, cat and a handful of fish.