Phyllis Hill Slater, a trailblazing business leader and advocate in the Long Island area, died in May 2025.
She leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, activism, and an unwavering commitment to empowering small businesses, particularly those owned by women and people of color. When she died, she was surrounded by her two daughters and granddaughter.
“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,” her granddaughter, Amber Ashley Parker, wrote in a press release.
Slater first worked for her father’s professional engineering and architectural firm, Hill, Jenkins, Gaudy & Associates. Later she founded Hill Slater Inc., an engineering and architectural support system, in 1984. Amber Ashley Parker said her business acumen, commitment to community service, and drive to foster economic opportunities made her a distinguished leader and role model.
She led many business organizations throughout her life, including the Long Island Development Corporation, the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Long Island Small Business Assistance Corp, which she founded.
She also served on national boards such as Women Impacting Public Policy, Allstate, AT&T Customer Council, Bank of America’s Women Entrepreneurs Council, and the National Women’s Business Owners, as well as on international organizations such as Les Femmes Chefs d’Enterprises Mondiales and the Euro-American Women’s Council.
As chair of the Long Island Development Corporation, Slater led one of Long Island’s premier economic development finance agencies, focusing on providing low-cost business loans, Amber Ashley Parker wrote. She said Slater’s efforts helped provide countless small businesses the financial support needed to thrive.
She also 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, the Small Business Council and the Women Economic Developers of Long Island.
“Phyllis’s advocacy reached the highest levels of government, having been recognized by all seven U.S. presidents from President Carter onward,” Amber Ashley Parker wrote. “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.”
Slater was also one of a select few to serve as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business three times in 1980, 1986 and 1995, highlighting her continued commitment to small business advancement.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Phyllis was devoted to loving her family, Amber Ashley Parker wrote. 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 was predeceased by her husband Gordon Haskell Slater, her daughter Lisa Slater Williams, her grandson Michael Anthony Lowe, her siblings Wayne Hill and Andrea Hill Alvarez and her parents Yvonne Antoinette Redding Hill and Philbert D. Hill.
“Slater leaves behind a profound legacy of passion, leadership, and dedication,” Amber Ashley Parker wrote. “Her tireless work has paved the way for countless entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed and will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Information provided by granddaughter, Amber Ashley Parker.
