2023 Most Influential Women: Becky Phipps

Becky Phipps, Encompass Academy executive director, has charted a service-minded path to leadership, one driven by her genuine commitment to helping others succeed.

“I am driven by altruism and find harmony in facilitating the success of others,” Phipps says. “My guiding principle has always been: How can I help each person achieve their picture of success?”

After a hiatus from her wedding and event planning business to raise her three sons, Phipps discovered a knack for advocacy and leadership through volunteer work.

“These experiences honed my skills and ignited a passion for making a positive impact,” she says.

When Phipps reentered the workforce, she says she joined the corporate sector as an internal communications manager for Weight Watchers International. In this role, she served as a subject matter expert for an online chat program, collaborating with colleagues nationwide to enhance their digital communication skills.

A decade in corporate America served as a stepping stone to the nonprofit sector, where Phipps says she found her true calling in nonprofit development. As a development director for two stints over five years, Phipps says she had the opportunity to connect with numerous individuals in the Springfield area, utilizing her innate strength as a connector and leader.

Phipps centers her leadership approach through nurturing individual growth.

“I firmly believe that every individual possesses their own best answers and passions, and I have made it a priority to connect with people on a personal level to help them discover and pursue their true potential,” she says.

As executive director of Encompass Academy since November 2021, Phipps says she has developed a connection with the school’s mascot, the Wayfinder.

“I embrace our mascot of a Wayfinder, guiding and supporting our team in the pursuit of our shared vision – providing outstanding educational opportunities for all students,” she says. “The sense of coming home to a place where I can fulfill my purpose is both fulfilling and empowering.”

Phipps says her proudest professional moments have been tied to her nonprofit roles, including serving as development director for the Springfield Dream Center, where she helped establish a legacy of donor relations.

“Witnessing the organization grow from a small-sized entity with four full-time staff members impacting a neighborhood to a larger organization making a positive impact on the entire community has been incredibly rewarding,” she says.

Seeing the long-term sustainability of the Dream Center and the stability achieved at Encompass Academy is something Phipps says fills her with pride.

“These accomplishments reflect my commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities, and I am honored to have played a role in their success,” she says.