People of the Year: Care Giver: Susan Derse Phillips

As reported in the November issue of Madison Magazine

Care Giver: Susan Derse Phillips

It’s quite remarkable for a community to tout its end-of-life health care facilities as one of its crown jewels, but to understand why, look no further than to its president and CEO Susan Phillips.

Susan Derse Phillips

“Susan is an outstanding leader, devoted to our community,” says Tom Ragatz, a volunteer and board member of what is now known as Agrace HospiceCare (formerly HospiceCare Inc.). “She has energy that I wish I could bottle and sell.”

With revenues of $50 million, 500 staff, 1,000 volunteers and 650 patients served daily, Agrace under Phillips’ sixteen-year tenure is one of the most efficient, effective and employee-focused businesses around. For her accomplishments Phillips has received this year’s Philanthropy Day Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional.

What’s her secret? “Friend-raising first and fundraising second,” says Phillips. “Only until a donor knows what we do, how we do it and the quality that is delivered to patients and their families will they consider a gift. Their gifts are what make us different from hospices across the county.”

Outside Agrace she spends time mentoring. She’s proud to be working with Domestic Abuse Intervention Services on its capital campaign to open a new shelter. “It is a need for which we Madisonians should be embarrassed and clearly something that deserves our attention and dollars,” she says.

On a personal note, Phillips has been fighting a battle of her own lately, and deeply appreciates the support she’s received during her illness. “I am most proud of exceptional staff, leaders and board who have stepped in to fulfill HospiceCare’s mission in my absence.”