biography

Joanne Phillips was elected to serve as Delaware County Controller in November 2017 and began her four-year term in January 2018. She was reelected to serve a second four-year term in November 2021.

Ms. Phillips is an experienced attorney who, before retiring from her firm in 2024, represented business clients, cultural institutions, hospitals and universities in real estate development, zoning and land use, eminent domain, and real estate finance. Ms. Phillips also served in government as the Director of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Bureau of Real Estate, in the Department of General Services, where she oversaw a department responsible for a multi-million-dollar portfolio of leased facilities and acquisition and sale of real property. She also served as a Special Assistant to the City of Philadelphia’s Managing Director to work on streamlining business processes and real estate issues.

Ms. Phillips graduated summa sum laude from Widener University's Delaware Law School, where she was the valedictorian of her class and an editor of the law review. She received her B.A. from Ursinus College, with Departmental Honors. She was also a member of the school's nationally-ranked field hockey team.

As Controller, Ms. Phillips serves as the Secretary of the Delaware County Retirement Board, and a member of the County’s Jail Oversight Board. In 2020 she was appointed by County Council to represent Delaware County on the Board of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. As the Controller, she is active in the Pennsylvania County Controller’s Association and a representative to the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected Officials.

A leader in professional organizations throughout her career, highlights include serving as Chair of the Real Property Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association and Chair of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Counselors of Real Estate (“CRE”).  Ms. Phillips is a current member of the Pennsylvania, Delaware County Bar Associations and its deFuria Inn of Court.  

Ms. Phillips and her husband have lived in Middletown Township for more than thirty-six years.  They raised two children who attended schools in the Rose Tree Media School District.  Ms. Phillips was also involved in outdoor and youth activities in her community. She became a licensed soccer coach and coached boys' and girls' intramural and travel teams for more than 15 years. She also served as a director of the Rose Tree Soccer Club.