Phyllis P. Harris

Phyllis P. Harris is the General Counsel, Chief Ethics, Compliance and Government Affairs Officer for the American Red Cross. Phyllis leads a team of attorneys, legal, and government affairs professionals who support the business units of the American Red Cross in providing disaster relief; emergency assistance and preparedness; services to the military; and a safe blood supply. Phyllis reports directly to the CEO, is a congressionally designated Corporate Officer and provides counsel on all aspects of the Board of Governors for the American Red Cross.

Prior to joining the American Red Cross in March 2019, Phyllis spent thirteen years at Walmart Inc., where over the course of her tenure, she served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Legal Operations, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Walmart US and Vice President for Environmental Compliance. Notably, Phyllis built Walmart’s Environmental, Health and Safety program recognized as the best in retail. Phyllis also served on CEO Doug McMillon’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Prior to Walmart, Ms. Harris served at the United States Environmental Protection Agency for almost 20 years including an appointment as the Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance where she was responsible for enforcing national environmental laws and building national compliance programs for all 50 states. Ms. Harris also served as the Regional Counsel and Director of the Environmental Accountability Division in Atlanta, GA. In 2001, Phyllis was awarded the Meritorious Rank Award by President George W. Bush for sustained superior service.

Phyllis was listed as a 2018 Most Influential African American Corporate Counsel by Savoy Magazine and in 2016 was a recipient of the “Women Worth Watching Award by the Diversity Journal. Phyllis serves as the Chairwoman of the Converse College Board of Trustees and on the Board of Directors for the Council on Legal Education and Opportunity. Phyllis has also served on the boards of the Environmental Law Institute and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.