Stephanie Phillips

Senior Manager, Circular Economy & Deconstruction at City of San Antonio

Stephanie Phillips serves as the Senior Program Manager for San Antonio's deconstruction and circular economy program, a pioneering initiative established in 2022. With a background in interior architecture and historic preservation, Stephanie brings a deep passion for sustainable urban development and embodied carbon—retaining the energy already used in existing buildings.

She co-founded Circular San Antonio, a nonprofit dedicated to transitioning the city to a circular economy through education, advocacy, and collaboration. The organization focuses on workforce training and operates a material innovation center to promote the reuse of salvaged building materials. Stephanie's work also involves leading the Living Heritage Trades Academy, which trains the next generation in construction trades, emphasizing diversity and the preservation of local resources.

Stephanie grew up in a Milwaukee suburb and was greatly influenced by her college experience in Madison, Wisconsin, a city celebrated for its pedestrian-friendly design and historical buildings. This shifted her interest from interior design to urban planning and community engagement, ultimately driving her current focus on resource conservation and deconstruction.

In her role, Stephanie collaborates with developers, environmental advocates, and housing experts to promote deconstruction as a sustainable alternative to demolition, aiming to preserve San Antonio's cultural heritage and create a more sustainable future.