ELIZABETH PHILLIPS

Elizabeth Phillips is a dedicated HR leader who believes in the power of people to drive innovation and success. As Vice President of HR and Administration at Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs (MERL), she plays a key role in shaping and executing the lab’s people strategy, ensuring alignment with both MERL’s research mission and Mitsubishi Electric’s global HR vision. She partners with leadership to develop and implement strategic HR initiatives that support business objectives while fostering an environment where top talent can thrive. With over 20 years of experience in human resources, Elizabeth takes a people-centered leadership approach, focusing on empowering individuals, fostering collaboration, and driving strategic HR transformation.

She architects and oversees talent strategies that attract and develop world-class researchers, facilitating the hiring of over 150 PhD scientists and student interns annually. Her leadership strengthens global HR alignment with Mitsubishi Electric, ensuring that MERL’s people strategy not only supports innovation but also integrates seamlessly with the broader goals of Mitsubishi Electric. Elizabeth is an ICF-certified leadership coach and holds a certification in Leading and Coaching Across Cultures from the Institute of Coaching, equipping her with the skills to build inclusive, high-performing teams in a global context.

Passionate about advancing HR thought leadership, she is honored to serve as a moderator at the HR World Summit in Lisbon. She looks forward to guiding discussions that elevate HR strategy, inspire innovation, and help organizations create workplaces where people feel valued, engaged, and empowered to make an impact.

Outside of work, Elizabeth is an avid tennis player who loves spending time outdoors—skiing in the winter, hiking in the mountains, or enjoying long walks on any National Seashore beach on Cape Cod with her rescue golden doodle, ZuZu. Her
passion for nature and adventure reflects her belief in continuous learning, balance, and well-being—values she integrates into her leadership and coaching philosophy.