The Long Island community and the business world mourn the loss of Phyllis Hill Slater, a trailblazing entrepreneur, dedicated advocate for economic development finance, small business owners, and a visionary leader whose influence spanned local, national, and international spheres. Phyllis passed away surrounded by her two loving daughters and granddaughter, leaving behind a legacy defined by leadership, activism, and unwavering commitment to empowering small businesses – especially, those owned by women and people of color.
A Life Dedicated to Empowerment and Advocacy
Phyllis Hill Slater first worked for her father’s professional engineering and architectural firm, Hill, Jenkins, Gaudy & Associates. She later founded Hill Slater Inc., an engineering and architectural support system, established in 1984. Her business acumen, commitment to community service, and drive to foster economic opportunities made her a distinguished leader and role model.
As chair of the Long Island Development Corporation (LIDC), Phyllis led one of Long Island’s premier economic development finance agencies, focusing on providing low-cost business loans. She also founded the Long Island Small Business Assistance Corp (LISBAC), a Certified Development Finance Institution (CDFI) recognized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Through her efforts, countless small businesses were given the financial support needed to thrive.
Presidential Recognitions and Legislative Impact
Phyllis’s advocacy reached the highest levels of government, having been recognized and served by all seven U.S. Presidents from President Carter onward. Her national leadership was instrumental in the passage of the Women Business Owners Act of 1989, which allowed women to secure business loans without a male co-signer. Her testimony during the 1988 Women Business Owners Oversight hearing and her influence on H.R. 5050 cemented her legacy as a champion of women’s economic independence.
She was also one of a select few to serve as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business three times (1980, 1986, and 1995), highlighting her continued commitment to small business advancement.
Leadership on Local, National, and International Stages
Phyllis’s impact extended far beyond Long Island. She was the past National President of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and served on national boards such as Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), Allstate, AT&T Customer Council, Bank of America’s Women Entrepreneur’s Council, and the National Women’s Business Owners
Corporation (NWBOC) – a national organization that helps small businesses secure public and private sector contracts through national certification.
Locally and statewide, she led and participated in numerous community organizations and philanthropic initiatives, including Black Women Enterprises (BWE), EOC of Nassau County, Northwell Health System Board of Trustees, Long Island Association (LIA) – especially, her decades’ long leadership of the Small Business Council – and the Women Economic Developers of Long Island (WEDLI). Her dedication to education and community growth was evident through her involvement with the Woodard Mental Health, Institute for Student Achievement (ISA), Long Island Community Foundation (LICF), WLIW21, SUNY Farmingdale, SUNY Old Westbury, and SUNY Stony Brook.
Internationally, Phyllis served as vice president of Les Femmes Chefs d’Enterprises Mondiales (FCEM) and as co-founder and Executive Global Chair of the Euro-American Women’s Council (EAWC), advocating for women business owners on a global stage.
A Legacy of Recognition and Impact
Phyllis Hill Slater’s influence was celebrated through hundreds of awards and honors, acknowledging her visionary leadership. Her insights and achievements were frequently featured in major media outlets, and her name remains synonymous with small business development. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Phyllis was devoted to loving her family. She is survived by her daughters [Gina Slater Parker and Tanya Slater Lowe], grandchildren [Amber Ashley Parker, Lenwood Rudolph Williams, II, and Marcus Alexander Lowe], her great grandchildren [Kingston Slater Williams and Lisa Delilah Williams], her siblings [Madeliene Hill and Philbert D. Hill, II], nephews and nieces [Aaron Hill, Lee Hill, Akua Hill, Cypress Hill, John Hill, and Silas Hill]. Phyllis is predeceased by her husband [Gordon Haskell Slater], her daughter [Lisa Slater Williams], her grandson [Michael Anthony Lowe], her siblings [Technical Seargent (USAF) Wayne Hill and Andrea Hill Alvarez], her parents [Yvonne Antoinette Redding Hill and Philbert D. Hill, PE], and in-laws [Payo “Tip” Hill and Philip Alvarez]. Phyllis’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations, both within her family and throughout the business community.
Phyllis was a charitable Christian woman whose unwavering faith and kindness brought the light of God into every endeavor she undertook.
Final Reflections
Phyllis Hill Slater leaves behind a profound legacy of passion, leadership, and dedication. Her tireless work has paved the way for countless entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed. While the community mourns her passing, her contributions will continue to inspire generations to come.