Phillip Lovell serves as the Alliance for Excellent Education’s vice president of federal advocacy, where he is responsible for leading the organization’s efforts on Capitol Hill to advocate for federal policy in support of the nation’s high schools. Mr. Lovell has spent more than a decade advocating for children and youth on Capitol Hill, focusing in areas such as youth development, homelessness, and education.
Mr. Lovell advocated to improve policies related to juvenile justice and youth violence while serving as policy coordinator for the National Crime Prevention Council, best known for its public service advertising campaign featuring “McGruff the Crime Dog.” As Director of Public Policy for Camp Fire USA, he led a bipartisan effort to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of federal youth policy by passing the Federal Youth Coordination Act. Most recently, he served as vice president for education, housing, and youth policy at First Focus and America’s Promise Alliance, the national organization founded by General Collin Powell to ensure children experience the fundamental resources they need to succeed. Mr. Lovell currently serves as co-chairman of the governing board for the Campaign for High School Equity, a coalition of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations.
Mr. Lovell is an avid advocate and self-described policy wonk. He has written numerous pieces of legislation and amendments on such issues as high school reform, assessments and accountability, dropout recovery, and wraparound services. He has also written a number of publications on issues such as children in the federal budget, homeless children and families, and strengthening federal education policy to more effectively serve high schools. His work has been referenced in media outlets including CNN, USA Today, and Time magazine.
Mr. Lovell has an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in international politics. He and his wife, Beth, have two daughters.