Phyllis Hillwig, Ed.D.

Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Phyllis Hillwig oversees the entire operation of Words & Numbers and implements the strategic vision of the company.  Phyllis spearheads initiatives that drive Words & Numbers into new markets and opportunities, leading content innovation initiatives involving contextual education in educational publishing, open content, STEM education, and mobile learning.

A leader in content development strategies, Phyllis has published numerous articles and spoken on the topic of next-generation content creation for the Association of Educational Publishers, Software Information Industry Association, Educational Network Association, Handheld Learning Conference, Imagine America Foundation, Department of Homeland Security University Programs Summit, National Defense Industry Association, First and Second Annual Connexions Conference, CCCOER (Community College Consortium Open Educational Resources), various universities, foundations, investment organizations, and more. Her thought leadership, network, and creativity

have earned her several board positions, including Vice Chair on the Connexions Consortium Board, VP of Educational Outreach for NDIA (National Defense Industry Association), Workforce Development initiatives around STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Board membership on Textbook Media, and on various committees and, consortiums involving components of non-profit, entertainment, government, and common content standards.

Phyllis’s career in educational publishing began at Silver Burdett Ginn, where she served as a Mathematics and Technology editor. From there she became Editorial Director and Vice President of a full-service development house before becoming COO and part owner of Words & Numbers. Under her leadership, Words & Numbers has grown to become the largest and one of the most respected developers in the industry in its history. In addition, Phyllis taught mathematics from high school to graduate levels. Phyllis has a B.S. in Mathematics from Lafayette College with an Engineering Concentration, and an M.A. and Ed.D. in Mathematics Education from Columbia University. Phyllis was a Charles A. Dana Scholar, Minority Group Scholar, and an Andrew Mellon Fellow.