Nannette Phillips, DBA profile and information
Learn more about Nannette Phillips, DBA
- Assistant Clinical Professor
- Executive Director
More bio information
Short Bio
Accepting new graduate students: Yes
Accepting new undergraduate students: Yes
Nannette Phillips is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University, where she also serves as the Executive Director of Family Child Care Partnerships. With over 30 years of experience in the early childhood sector, including leadership roles in Head Start, Early Head Start, and family child care, she has dedicated her career to enhancing the systems that support young children and their families.
Throughout her career, Phillips has held various state and regional leadership positions, advocating for policies, professional development, and practices that promote high-quality early care and education. Her work demonstrates a profound commitment to supporting children, empowering families, and establishing strong community partnerships and relationships that foster long-term well-being.
Her academic and professional interests focus on advancing family science, strengthening families, home visiting, promoting healthy relationships, and developing leadership practices that enhance workforce retention in educational and clinical environments. She collaborates actively across interdisciplinary teams to explore data, practice, and community engagement efforts, ensuring the use of evidence-based approaches that promote resilience and sustainable impact for individuals and communities.
Education
DBAWalden University2017
MBATroy University2006
B.A.Tuskegee University1993
Professional Experience
2021 – Present, Assistant Clinical Professor and Executive Director, Family Child Care Partnerships, Auburn University, Human Development and Family Science
2018 – Present, Founder, CEO, Business Training and Technical Assistance Consultant, Sustainable Transformations, LLC
2014 – 2019, Executive Director, Tuskegee-Macon County Head Start
2014 – 2007, Head Start Director, Tuskegee-Macon County Head Start
2003 – 2007, Family and Community Partnerships Manager, Tuskegee-Macon County Head Start
2001 – 2003, Administrative Assistant to the Director, Tuskegee-Macon County Head Start
2000 – 2003, Mental Health Paraprofessional, East Alabama Mental Health
1993 – 2001, Head Start Service and Support Positions, Tuskegee-Macon County Head Start
Engagement
Board Member 2007 - Present, Alabama Head Start Association (AHSA)
Board Member 2009 - Present, Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA)
Member – 2009 - Present, National Head Start Association (NHSA)
Member – 2016-2023, Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN)
Member – 2018 - 2023, Oral Health Coalition of Alabama (OHCA)
Board Member – 2012-2019, Alabama Partnership for Children (APC)
Activities and Presentations
Professional Activities:
2004-Present, Notary Public
2017-2021, President of the Region IV Head Start Association (eight southeast states)
2020-2021, Executive Director – Alabama Head Start Association
2012-2017, 1st Vice President of the Region IV Head Start Association
2016-2023, Alabama Grassroots Representative for Oral Health Progress Equity Network
2015, Alabama Governor’s Early Childhood Education Leadership Summit
2009-2011, Head Start/Pre-K Task Force Member
2008-2011, President of Alabama Head Start Association
2007-2019, Quality Rating Improvement Systems Pilot
2006-2019, Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD for Preschool
2005-2019, Grants Management Systems (GMS) Accounting Software
Professional Presentations:
Phillips, N. B. (December 2025). Head Start Governance Board Training. Lowndes County Board of Education Head Start, Hayneville, AL
Phillips, N.B. (June 2025). Head Start New Director’s Training. Region IV Head Start Association Leadership Conference
Phillips, N. B. (April 2024). Strengthening Families through Home Visitation Training. Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement, Sylacauga, AL
Phillips, N. B. (November 2021). Childcare Access and Quality in Alabama. Early Childhood Education Class of Dr. Cindy Frosch, Auburn University, AL
Phillips, N. B. (October 2021). Head Start History and Leadership. Alabama Association for Regional Councils and Alabama Head Start Association, Montgomery, AL
Phillips, N. B. (July 2021). Workplace Wellness. Region IV Head Start Association, Atlanta, GA
Phillips, N. B. (April 2021). Classroom Management and Health and Safety. Greater Peace Child Development Center, Opelika, AL
Phillips, N. B. (April 2021). Head Start Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA). Workshop presented (virtually) to Alabama Head Start Association Grantees, Auburn, AL
Phillips, N. B. (February 2021). Head Start Governance Roles and Responsibilities. Workshop sessions presented to Alabama Head Start Grantees, Auburn, Alabama
Phillips, N. B. (September 2019). Family Child Care Partnerships - Systems, Forms, and Procedures. Workshop session presented to the Auburn University Family Child Care Partnership Department staff, Auburn, AL
Phillips, N. B. (August 2019). Alabama Department of Human Resources Minimum Standards for Daytime Childcare. Workshop presented to the Greater Peace Child Development staff, Opelika, AL
Phillips, N. B. (April 2018). Leadership Practices Supporting Retention in Head Start Organizations. Workshop presented at the National Head Start Association conference, Anaheim, CA
Phillips, N. B. (February 2018). Head Start Director’s Training. Workshop presented at the Region IV Head Start Association Conference, Atlanta, GA
Phillips, N. B. (November 2017). Resolving Conflict & Negotiation Strategies. Lecture presented to the Business 101 class at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
Phillips, N. B. (October 2017). Business Strategy and Management and Business Skills of Leaders. Workshop presented to City of Tuskegee staff, Tuskegee, AL
Awards
2017-2021, President of the Region IV Head Start Association (eight southeast states - AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN)
2018, Alabama Head Start Association Director (Administrator) of the Year
2017, Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business, Macon County Employee Retirement Association
2014, Issues and Advocacy Chairperson, Region IV Head Start Association
2008, Support and Dedication – Alabama State University Four-Year Degrees Head Start Project for Head Start Teachers
Grant Related Experiences
2005-Present, Head Start and Early Head Start Federal Grants ($2m - $6m)
2021-Present, PNC Bank Annual Grant (20K)
2007-2019, Pre-K “First Class” Excellence State Grants (300K+)
2019 -2020, Greater Peace Church and Community Development Grants (25K)
