Phyllis Hill Slater, Long Island business icon, dies

Phyllis Hill Slater, a long-time advocate for economic development and entrepreneurship on Long Island, has died. Influencing local, national and even international circles, Slater championed small business, especially those that were owned by women and people of color. She died earlier this month at age 80, according to Legacy.com, and was surrounded by her daughters and granddaughter.

“Phyllis Hill Slater leaves behind a profound legacy of passion, leadership and dedication,” according to a news release about her life. “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.”

Slater is credited with helping small businesses access the financial support they needed to thrive. She chaired the Long Island Development Corp., an economic development finance agency that aims to provide low-cost small business loans. She also founded Long Island Small Business Assistance Corp., a Certified Development Finance Institution recognized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

She developed her business acumen early in her career. Slater first worked for her father’s professional engineering and architectural firm, Hill, Jenkins, Gaudy & Associates. In 1984, she founded Hill Slater Inc., a provider of engineering and architectural support.

Slater earned recognitions by President Jimmy Carter and all subsequent U.S. presidents, according to the news release. She is credited with helping to pass the Women Business Owners Act of 1989, which allowed women to secure business loans without a male co-signer. She testified during the 1988 Women Business Owners Oversight hearing and her influence on H.R. 5050, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, helped solidify her role in advancing women’s economic independence.

Slater also served as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small in 1980, 1986 and 1995.

A past national president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Slater also served on national boards such as Women Impacting Public Policy, Allstate, AT&T Customer Council, Bank of America’s Women Entrepreneur’s Council, and the National Women’s Business Owners Corporation, which helps small businesses secure public and private sector contracts through national certification.

Slater led and participated in numerous community organizations and philanthropic initiatives, including Black Women Enterprises, EOC of Nassau County, Northwell Health System Board of Trustees, Long Island Association – especially, her decades’ long leadership of the Small Business Council – and the Women Economic Developers of Long Island. Her dedication to education and community growth was evident through her involvement with the Woodard Mental Health, Institute for Student Achievement, Long Island Community Foundation, WLIW21, Farmingdale State College, SUNY Old Westbury, and Stony Brook University.

“The LIA is overwhelmed with sadness about the passing our long-time Board member Phyllis Hill-Slater, who was a part of our family for more than 30 years,” Matthew Cohen, LIA president and chief executive, said in a written statement.

“Phyllis has left an indelible impact on countless Long Islanders and small business owners who were the beneficiaries of her mentorship, leadership, and advocacy,” he added. “She will truly be missed, but her legacy will endure. Our prayers go out to her family during this difficult time.”

Internationally, Slater served as vice president of Les Femmes Chefs d’Enterprises Mondiales and as Co-Founder and Executive Global Chair of the Euro-American Women’s Council, advocating for women business owners on a global stage.

Slater 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 greatgrandchildren [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].