About philip
Philip’s 25 years of experience lies with the specific challenges of organizations, enterprises, communities, and entrepreneurs with a special focus on creating opportunities for those often left out or left behind.
The son of a small business entrepreneur, and as someone who spent much of his youth and career traveling abroad and embedded in other cultures, his experiences gave him the ability to take a broader view of results to scale local concepts and models globally and, in turn, import those ideas into local markets. Philip’s passion lies in strengthening the interdependence of various interlocking systems – financial, environmental, social – to increase the potential of human flourishing.
Philip’s purpose has been to make sure leaders and the people they are serving grow and thrive
Whether leading local neighborhood volunteer teams to produce extraordinary results, or multinational corporate teams and initiatives to meet shareholder satisfaction, Philip’s purpose has been to make sure those individuals and the people they are serving grow and thrive. Philip does this through board director roles, advisor to organizations, and as a coach to businesses.
Impact Hub Launch, 2018
Being an ambassador for movement and change
As a leader in enterprise consulting, organizational impact, entrepreneurship, and economic development, and emerging markets I’ve scaled operations, formed alliances, grown revenue, developed and led teams of all sizes, and inspired innovative solutions in over 40 countries. I’ve led a 400-person team to address the needs of Fortune 50 clients across 35 countries, saving the largest client $150M annually. I’ve supported the allocation of over $2 billion in federal funding to support entrepreneurial programs. I’ve helped over 250 cities adopt innovation practices. I’ve coached hundreds of businesses to create thousands of jobs. I’ve been an ambassador for movements and change giving thousands of volunteers a voice and seat at the table. And I’ve worked with private equity to direct over $200 million in equity and achieve a 50x return on philanthropic capital.
Learning Circle, Impact Hub
Selected Publications and Reports
2023 Making Entrepreneurship Accessible in Rural America
What people have said about working with Philp
“I recommend him to any organization globally who seeks serious and bold change ”
“Philip is a visionary…one of the foremost leaders in economic development in the nation. [His] fresh ideas in inclusive entrepreneurship, strategic business models and new forms of capitalization…represent some of the foremost thought leadership we have today.
I recommend him to any organization globally who seeks serious and bold change… with the discipline of a high-impact entrepreneur.”
Ted D. Zoller
T.W. Lewis Distinguished Clinical Scholar and Professor
University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler
Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
Past President:
United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship
“Within minutes of meeting him, you will realize, as I did, that his commitment to, and passion for fostering economic opportunity for all are genuine and abiding."
“Philip Gaskin’s expertise in strategic thinking and execution is only matched by his genuine commitment to coaching and advising and encouraging others on that path. Within minutes of meeting him, you will realize, as I did, that his commitment to, and passion for fostering economic opportunity for all are genuine and abiding.”
Neeli Bendapudi
President of Pennsylvania State University
Philip's calm and thoughtful counsel amid the noise and haste of everyday deadlines is special and something I have deeply valued ever since we first time we met all those years ago”
“[Philip’s] excellent listening and analytics skills makes him a smart interpreter of the geopolitical dynamics of the day, and an invaluable advisor to organizations like GEN…
As a global NGO, despite having thousands of relationships across the globe…Philip has helped us see…the extraordinary stories and lessons from our own GEN communities. Philip has not only shown us what we have sometimes missed, but suggested new ways to think and act. He knows how to build the alliances and partnerships necessary to thrive in the global community and understands economic mobility firsthand at a time when so many economies and communities across the world have to constantly re-write their pathways to a sustainable and flourishing economy.”
Philip’s calm and thoughtful counsel amid the noise and haste of everyday deadlines is special and something I have deeply valued ever since we first time we met all those years ago. Although…we have always been about removing barriers to entrepreneurship faced by historically underrepresented communities, Philip has shown us how asking different questions and listening more carefully can reveal fresh blind spots… in serving the less fortunate in our society. He has helped us navigate important business decisions in a smart and thoughtful way.”
Jonathan Ortmans
President, Global Entrepreneurship Network
“[Philip] is a spokesperson and ambassador of change. ”
“[Philip] is a spokesperson and ambassador of change.
…His work on access to capital issues for entrepreneurs, envisioning new models and frameworks for getting capital into their hands (from small business to tech entrepreneurs), in urban and rural settings has increased business formation and job creation at scale.
Philip is a champion for entrepreneurs, innovation, and creating the partnerships and alliances.”
Miriam Rivera
CEO, Co-Founder and Managing Director Ulu Ventures
“He has exceptional capacity to connect with leaders and to coalesce them around a cause.”
“Philip … has exceptional capacity to connect with leaders and to coalesce them around a cause. He…identif[ies] problems … and develop[s] solutions … that will lead to meaningful and welcome progress.”
Sophie Penney Leach
Senior Director of Foundation Relations
The Pennsylvania State University
“[Philip’s] ability to connect people, ideas, and strategies was unmatched”
“[Philip’s] ability to connect people, ideas, and strategies was unmatched, and his work consistently drove meaningful outcomes for communities and stakeholders alike. His dedication to creating opportunities for all entrepreneurs—particularly those in underserved communities—made a lasting impact.
[Philip’s] unparalleled experience and passion for creating impactful solutions will set a new standard of excellence. I wholeheartedly recommend Phil as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the entrepreneurship space and am excited to see the profound impact he will continue to make…”
Troy Duffie
Director, Financial Markets
Milken Institute
“Philip is a profound professional who was an outstanding and results-oriented partner.”
Lea McLeod
Director, Global Procurement | Travel Category Sourcing
+ Service Delivery
Hewlett-Packard
“Philip is unique in his capacity to transform both a global movement and individual lives.”
I first met Philip around 2017, when he was leading the transformative work on entrepreneur ecosystems at the Kauffman Foundation. Philip and his team advanced the global narrative on building entrepreneur ecosystems by establishing frameworks and mobilising a global cohort of facilitators for exponential scale and impact.
This experience played a significant role in my own life direction, as I have benefited from his ability to help leaders and institutions think through and navigate change. Philip is unique in his capacity to transform both a global movement and individual lives.
Dr. Chad Renando
Research Fellow UniSQ, CEO Startup Status, MD – GEN Australia
Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
“Philip is an exceptional leader”
“Philip is an exceptional leader…He is a tireless advocate for entrepreneurs and innovation…Through his work on numerous projects, I have consistently been impressed by his ability to make even the most challenging problems seem solvable.”
JaNay Queen Nazaire, PhD
Advisor, Facilitator, Researcher & Investor for Wealth & Wellbeing
“[Philip’s] is not afraid to roll up his sleeves to get the work done.”
“Deeply impacted by his father’s journey to become a successful entrepreneur, Philip brought this passion to his work, partnering across Kansas City and the globe to create better environments for all people seeking to build a successful business of their own…
Philip is adept at forging partnerships…He has a wide professional network and the ability to connect with key decision-makers across the country…He is known for building trust…and is not afraid to roll up his sleeves to get the work done.”
Maria Meyers
Executive Director, UMKC Innovation Center | Founder, SourceLink | Entrepreneurship & Economic Development
“His work to push people to collaborate to drive change is unparalleled.”
Philip is a fantastic partner and leader, who works to build deep partnership to further the field. His vision for the work the Kauffman Foundation took on and his work to push people to collaborate to drive change is unparalleled.
Nathan Ohle
President & CEO
International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
“His unique ability to bring people of different cultures, geographies and perspectives together to achieve a common goal is unsurpassed”
Philip’s strategic leadership, planning and execution along with global organization are unparalleled. Phil treated volunteers with respect and appreciation in a way that made each feel valued and encouraged to work even harder. He is organized, enthusiastic, professional, outgoing and effective.
His unique ability to bring people of different cultures, geographies and perspectives together to achieve a common goal is unsurpassed. I cannot say enough about his leadership skills or the positive reaction he elicits from people. I hope I’m fortunate enough to have another opportunity to work with him in the future.
Regina Malveaux, J.D.
Chief Impact Officer
United Way of King County
