Phil has led VentureWell since its founding in 1996 and today serves as President and CEO. By developing and expanding VentureWell's programs on a national and global scale, he has guided VentureWell in its mission to solve global challenges through science- and technology driven innovation and entrepreneurship. He accomplished this goal by designing and overseeing a suite of programs that encourage and support the deeper engagement of higher education and research institutions in curricular innovation, developing and strengthening innovation communities and supporting emerging science and technology innovators. Phil is committed to sharing VentureWell’s learnings and resources to support the creation of inclusive and more equitable pathways for innovators to succeed in venture creation. Under his leadership, VentureWell has partnered with key science funding agencies, major philanthropies, and hundreds of universities to train and support thousands of emerging students, researchers and faculty innovators. After celebrating VentureWell's milestone 25-year anniversary in 2021, he has accelerated work to fortify the broader innovation ecosystem and the launch of groundbreaking innovations. 

Phil attended the University of Massachusetts where he was a co-founder of a biotechnology company developing naturally occurring pest control products. He is a Founder and Past Chair of the ASEE Entrepreneurship Division, and a recipient of the 2008 Price Foundation Innovative Entrepreneurship Educators Award, the 2014 Engineering Entrepreneurship Pioneers Award from ASEE, and the 2016 Deshpande Symposium Award for Outstanding Contributions to Advancing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education.