Phillip P. Lanham, CAP® is responsible for the leadership of Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) as president and CEO, including organizational strategy and programs, operations, and investments.
Phillip has been leading Gulf Coast since June 2023, working with the Board of Directors and staff on advancing Gulf Coast’s three priority areas - mental health, affordable housing, and green space + water quality. He has joined the Community Foundations Leading Change’s (CF Lead’s) Executive Leadership Institute for CEOs where he will support Gulf Coast’s community leadership priorities. During his tenure at Gulf Coast, construction is underway for ten rental units in the City of Sarasota for low-income veterans.
Sitting on the boards of the Florida Chamber Foundation, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, and Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Phillip shares that working towards the greater good has been the hallmark of his career.
Phillip has built a reputation as an accomplished executive leader with a strong background in creating results-driven strategies. He has a 20-plus year career dedicated to philanthropy. Before joining Gulf Coast, Phillip served as chief philanthropy officer at Greater Cincinnati Foundation, where he successfully led the philanthropic partnerships team in providing strategic guidance for relationships with donors, nonprofits, businesses, and private foundations.
At the University of Cincinnati, Phillip earned his bachelor’s and MBA degrees and began his career at the university. He worked at the university for over 11 years, advancing their widespread philanthropic impact.
As a Charted Advisor in Philanthropy® and a member of the 21/64 Network, a cutting-edge nonprofit specializing in understanding and engaging the next generation within family philanthropy, Phillip is a seasoned executive in the philanthropic arena. He sat on the board of the Advancement Network for community foundations where he served as president. He also served as the vice chair of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Board. Phillip also enjoys the arts sector and has served on the Music Hall Revitalization Company board, which is responsible for maintaining the iconic performance home of Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestra, and May Festival.
Phillip and his wife Tami are proud parents to two boys who share a love of football and the beach. His hobbies include traveling, watching football, and downhill skiing.