Meet John Phillips
John Phillips is the co-founder and executive director of Vote Humane. John is a well-known figure at City Hall and in Albany and a nationally-recognized leader in the animal protection movement. Hailed by Governor David Paterson (D-NY) as one of the "great animal rights activists" in the U.S., his efforts to pass laws protecting animals have earned him numerous accolades and awards from the U.S. Congress, the New York State Legislature and the New York City Council. In March 2009, John was named one of the “20 Under 30 Standout Stars” of the animal protection movement by VegNews Magazine, the premier magazine covering vegetarian issues and animal welfare.
John’s leadership as executive director has helped to grow Vote Humane from a fledgling start-up to a staffed political machine that has helped to enact critically important laws protecting animals. John developed the first Humane Scorecard ever for NYC lawmakers, holding Council Members accountable on animal rights issues for the first time in City history. In 2007, John authored a landmark resolution adopted by the New York State Democratic Committee affirming the Party’s commitment to the humane treatment of animals. The resolution was the first of its kind in the nation’s history.
John was born in the Bronx and raised in Manhattan. He now lives in the East Village.