Stephanie Ellis-Smith

CEO and Founder

Stephanie is the CEO and founder of Phīla Engaged Giving, a philanthropic advisory firm founded in 2017 that works with donors who are ready to activate their assets for social change. As an advisor and social impact specialist, she works toward a world where philanthropy is a nurturing and equity-centered practice that connects wealth to the people and communities who need it most.

Stephanie is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) and has extensive experience in advising high-impact individuals and companies. She believes strongly in being a compassionate and generous member of society and brings nearly 30 years of her professional and personal life experience in governance, family wealth, and nonprofit leadership to the social sector.

In the wake of the racial uprisings of 2020, she co-founded Giving Gap, an online database of Black-founded and led organizations as a means to help donors find and support them in their communities. Having served in a variety of professional capacities—non-profit CEO, social enterprise COO, foundation and non-profit trustee, and corporate board member—her diverse experience and deep knowledge makes her uniquely well-positioned to be a trusted advisor to the world’s most generous families and institutions.

Stephanie’s expertise in navigating wealth, impactful generosity, and civic engagement is frequently sought by leading philanthropic institutions and mainstream publications, and as a keynote speaker of major social sector convenings. She has been appointed by multiple Seattle mayors and Former Washington Governor Gary Locke to serve on a variety of boards and public commissions. She currently serves on the Seattle Art Museum’s Museum Development Authority Board and is on the board of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. She was appointed a Dean of Philanthropy in 2022 by The Purposeful Planning Institute.

Stephanie has a BA from UCLA in English Literature and Biochemistry. Given her keen interest in science, her post-graduate years were spent in university labs working on stem cell and AIDS-related research. She has two adult children and lives in Seattle with her husband, Douglas Smith.

RECOGNITION & AWARDS

  • Business Hall of Fame, Junior Achievement (2023)

  • The Creative Catalyst Award, Artist Trust

  • City of Seattle Proclamation “Stephanie Ellis-Smith Day” October 21, 2009

  • Community Hero Award, The Microsoft Corporation

  • Best Expander of Cultural Boundaries, Seattle Weekly

  • 40 Under 40 Award, Puget Sound Business Journal

  • Talented Tenth Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

  • The Evergreen Award for Non-Profit Leadership