Phyllis King
About
Dr. King is a versatile, innovative, equitable, and strategic leader with proven success uniting diverse stakeholders to drive
technological innovation and inclusive economic growth. She has a track record of launching and scaling initiatives that create
sustainable impact across education, workforce development, and technology sectors. Dr. King has demonstrated ability to secure
multi-million dollar investments while building strong partnerships among corporations, educational institutions,
government agencies, and community organizations. She is known for leading institutional transformation through strategic
vision, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to equity. Dr. King has an entrepreneurial mindset with strong financial acumen and extensive experience commercializing initiatives to create lasting value. TShe is a trusted community leader who has
consistently fostered public-private partnerships that expand access to technology careers and drive regional prosperity. Dr. King has served in director, president and chair positions in local, state and national boards for organizations addressing issues related to STEM, public education, banking, city government, and health care. Board expertise lies in economic development, innovation/entrepreneurship, state and corporate government, finance, higher education administration and public relations.
Board Profile
An experienced and effective executive, Dr. King's board experience is deep and diverse. It includes strategic planning, finance, public relations, human resources, IT, mergers and acquisitions,and quality improvement. She has long-standing experience in health care organizations, higher education innovation, leadership and administration, nonprofit leadership, manufacturing and engineering operations.Board Experience
For Profit
Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP, Advisory Board
Not for Profit
UW Credit Union, Director, Executive Committee
Non-Profit
Food + Farm Exploration Center, Executive Director
Association for Schools of Allied Health Professions, President
American Red Cross, Director
United Performing Art Foundation, Director
Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership, Director
United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Cabinet Member
Milwaukee Women inc, Chair
STEM Forward Wisconsin, Director
TEMPO Milwaukee, former President
Penfield Children’s Center, Director
Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, Advisory Board
Food and Beverage Wisconsin, Leadership Council
Center for Aging and Translational Research, Advisory Board
UWM College of Health Sciences, Advisory Board
Mequon/Thiensville Education Foundation, former Director
St. Anthony’s Schools, former Director
Professional Summary
Dr. Phyllis King serves as the interim Executive Director of the nonprofit Food + Farm Exploration Center, a $43M education and innovation center. She is Professor Emerita and past Associate Vice Chancellor and Vice Provost of Partnerships and Initiatives at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As Vice Provost she provided campus leadership in a wide array of strategic, academic and budgetary planning and decision-making activities for a campus of over 23,000 students and a budget of $677 million. Dr. King is a UWM partner to the University of Wisconsin System, City of Milwaukee and state of Wisconsin for initiatives related to educational reform, STEM, health, advanced manufacturing, and economic development. She is a steering committee member of the world-class Data Science Institute led by Northwestern Mutual and a member in planning the Connected Systems Institute, MKE Tech Hub, and Higher Education Regional Alliance. Dr. King was a lead administrator in the recent merger of UWM with two higher education institutions. She is the current Executive Director of the Moon Shot for Equity initiative aimed as closing equity gaps in retention and graduation.
Education
Certificate Credit Union National Association, Credit Union Board Financial Literacy
Certificate Private Directors Association, Private Board Governance
Protégé American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Presidency Preparation Program
PhD – Urban Education/Administrative Leadership with a concentration in Industrial Engineering
MS – Health Services Administration
BS – Occupational Therapy
Recognition & Awards
Fellow, Bader Philanthropies
Notable Women in Higher Education recognition by BizTimes, 2023.
Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions President’s Award
Milwaukee-Area Power Broker, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Milwaukee Business Journal
Notable Women in Education, 2021
TEMPO Mentor Award
TEMPO Milwaukee
December 2017
Fellow of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (FASAHP)
Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP)
September 2015
Dean’s Ambassador Award
College of Health Sciences
May 2015
Protégé
American Association of State Colleges and Universities Millenium Leadership
June 2014
Distinguished Public Service Award
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
April 2011
Woman of Influence
Milwaukee Business Journal
June 2007
Fellow
American Occupational Therapy Association
1997
Personal
Dr. King is married, has two sons, and enjoys golfing, reading, running and travel. She has and continues to volunteer her time to causes that benefit children, women, community and health.Additional Info
Which private board do you serve on? : UW Credit Union
Do you serve on any nonprofit boards? : American Red Cross, Penfield Children's Center, UPAF, Wisconsin Policy Forum
Skills : Corporate Governance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance, Human Resources, Technology/Digital/Cybersecurity
P&L Responsibility : $25-50M, $100-250M
Leadership on Board : Board Chair, Advisor, Committee Member, Director
Level of Experience : VP, Consultant
Company Revenue : $3B+
Industry : Financial Services, Industrial/Manufacturing, Healthcare/Pharma/Med Devices, Non-for-Profit/Education, Professional Services, Technology/Digital
Board Experience : Advisory, Non-for-Profit, Public