In her pivotal leadership role as the director of business strategy for Discover Financial Services, Lori A. Phillips closely assists the company’s vice president in supporting the entire information risk department in managing key deliverables. Ms. Phillips handles all regulatory components associated with examination management, interfaces consistently at high levels with regulators and regulatory bodies, and is responsible for policies and standards related to information security. Further, she collaborates with cybersecurity partners to ensure the effective management of important documentation.
Known for her ability to execute with decisiveness and competence, Ms. Phillips brings a fearless approach to tackling obstacles and embodies the qualities of resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. In addition to her innate qualities, she has established a robust professional network of strong relationships throughout her career. Having worked with Discover Financial Services for more than 25 years, Ms. Phillips takes great pride in her longevity and the lengthy trajectory of her career. Even with decades of success to her credit, she remains driven by her desire for growth and commitment to the company. Climbing the ranks rung by rung, she began her tenure with Discover Financial Services as an administrative assistant in 1998, after which she became the chief of staff. From 2016 to 2022, she was the senior manager of the business information security office, and from 2018 to 2022, she was the senior manager of information security governance and risk.
With an eye toward the future, Ms. Phillips has her sights set on the next level of accomplishment. She aims to take on a vice president position or strategic oversight role, leveraging her deep knowledge and proven track record to lead a department or become a trusted adviser. Ms. Phillips knows that she is adaptable and versatile and has multiple, alternate plans if things do not materialize as she envisions. For her professional excellence, she has been honored as a three-time recipient of the Discover Financial President Plate Award.
In preparation for her career, Ms. Phillips attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1993. In recognition of her academic achievement, she was inducted into Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Alongside her formal degree, she has maintained a steadfast dedication to continuing education and professional development. Ms. Phillips completed an executive certificate in leadership and management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management in 2020. In 2023, she was certified in strategy execution and disruptive strategy by the Harvard Business School. Standing out from others in her field due to her distinct blend of strong business acumen and vast experience at her company, she is able to bring a holistic perspective to her work. Ms. Phillips’ understanding of past decisions and the long-term implications of important choices has prepared her to make strategic recommendations. Throughout her professional journey, she has been driven by a natural desire to achieve more and continuously expand her knowledge and capabilities. This self-motivation has been a constant source of energy and inspiration, propelling her forward and fueling her commitment to her career development. Among all aspects of her work, she finds the variety of her job to be one of her career’s most enjoyable aspects.
When she is not working, Ms. Phillips enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and cooking. One of her favorite pastimes is visiting the beach on weekends and listening to the waves in the morning.
