Dr. Catherine Phillips

Early life

There is not a lot publicly known about Dr. Phillips’ early life and personal life. She is passionate about her work in mindfulness and has a special interest in cancer care.

At a conference several years ago, psychologist Phillips heard the Dalai Lama say, “The single most important thing you can do for healing is to cultivate a warm heart.”

“That’s it!” she thought. That one sentence captured what she had learned in more than 15 years of working with cancer patients and their families through the Healing Journey, a program that helps people cope with cancer.

Career

Dr. Catherine Phillips is a licensed psychologist who specializes in executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational consulting. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Dr. Phillips currently serves as the Head of Leadership Development and Research at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. She is also a senior partner at the Toronto-based leadership consulting firm, Spencer Stuart.

She has worked with numerous organizations across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology. In 2018, she joined the board of directors for the e-commerce platform, Shopify, where she serves as a compensation committee member.

Phillips joined the board of directors for Shopify in 2018. As a compensation committee member, she plays a key role in overseeing executive compensation and ensuring that it aligns with the company’s performance and goals.

Catherine Phillips and her husband John Phillips are known for their investments in Canadian e-commerce firm Shopify. They each own about 1.5% of the wildly successful company. Catherine Phillips additionally works as a psychologist who specializes in helping cancer patients deal with stress management. She leads support groups and in 2011 published a book titled, Calm Your Mind, Warm Your Heart.

In addition to her role on the compensation committee, Dr. Phillips also provides strategic guidance and advice to Shopify’s executive team on matters related to leadership development and organizational consulting.

As a member of the board of directors, Dr. Phillips is responsible for representing the interests of Shopify’s shareholders and ensuring that the company operates in a transparent and ethical manner. She is also involved in making decisions related to the company’s overall strategy, including its expansion into new markets and the development of new products and services.

Dr. Phillips’ background as a psychologist and leadership consultant is particularly valuable to Shopify, as the company places a strong emphasis on developing its employees and fostering a positive work culture. Her expertise in these areas allows her to provide valuable insights and advice to the company’s leadership team.

Overall, Dr. Phillips’ position on the board of directors is an important one, and her contributions are likely to play a significant role in the future success of Shopify as a company.

As a stakeholder, Dr. Phillips also has a financial interest in the company’s performance and growth. Her position on the board allows her to play a direct role in shaping the future direction of the company and ensuring its continued success.

Dr. Phillips’ husband, John, has been involved with Shopify for over a decade and currently serves on the company’s board of directors. His experience and expertise have undoubtedly contributed to the company’s growth and success, while Dr. Phillips’ work as a psychologist and author underscores the company’s commitment to supporting the health and well-being of its employees and customers.

Net Worth

Her net worth is an estimated $1.3 billion, according to Forbes, and ranks #1444 on the Forbes Billionaire list.

Achievement

• Dr. Catherine Phillips has had a successful career as a psychologist and leadership consultant, working with many high-profile clients and organizations. In addition to her work with the Rotman School of Management and Spencer Stuart, she has served as a consultant for the United Nations and the World Bank.
• In 2017, Dr. Phillips was named one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network. She is also a published author, with her work appearing in several academic journals and books.