“The word that comes to mind is legacy. Not the individual mark I want to leave—but the ripple effect of being present, listening, and connecting people across what we perceive to be differences.”
For nine years, Phillip Wilder has shown up for Hispanic Alliance’s Student DREAMers Alliance with a rare combination of expertise and humility. As a Clemson University professor specializing in language, literacy, and nonviolent communication, he could have stayed in the academic lane. Instead, he chose to meet students exactly where they are—not as subjects to study, but as leaders to nurture.
“Hispanic Alliance has been a home for me,” Phillip reflects. “It’s a comfortable space because of the relationships I have with so many people there.”
What sets Phillip apart isn’t just his skillset—it’s his philosophy. While he spends months each year working with NGOs in Tanzania, facilitating global leadership development, his approach remains grounded in a simple principle: listen first.
“HA makes it a practice to really be present with members of our community—to listen, to ask what they’re needing, and to use the voices of community members to inform the programs. And to do that without an ego.”
That posture of service—asking “What are people needing?” rather than assuming answers—is what makes Phillip’s facilitation so transformative for SDA students. He doesn’t lecture. He creates space. He doesn’t impose structure. He helps young leaders find their own voices.
“We’re a bridge that connects people to resources, to other people, to programs. That’s the work.”
From Seed to Shade
When asked about his vision for HA’s future, Phillip returns to a concept he uses in his global work: seed to shade.
“A lot of times legacy is thought of as an individual thing—what mark do I want to leave? But I think of HA differently. I think about the programs, the people, what is being done without knowing exactly how much of an impact it’s going to have down the road. The ripple effect.”
For Phillip, legacy isn’t about buildings or budgets—it’s about planting seeds you may never see fully grown. It’s about investing in a high school junior who becomes a college graduate. A mentee who becomes a mentor. A shy student who becomes a community organizer.
“The legacy of HA is that willingness to pull all of this together—to be attentive, to listen, to be present, to be supportive, and to connect people across what we perceive to be differences.”
Scaling Without Losing Soul
Phillip’s hope for the next 15 years is both practical and philosophical: more space for more people.
“There’s a scaling of programs—that’s not new to anyone in the nonprofit space. But scaling means more youth can be involved, more people can be supported.”
The challenge, as he sees it, is scaling without losing presence. Growing bigger while staying deeply rooted in relationship. Expanding reach while maintaining the intimacy that makes HA feel like home.
That tension—between growth and groundedness—is exactly what makes Phillip’s leadership so vital. He’s proof that you can work globally and show up locally. That you can be an expert and still lead with humility. That you can dream big and stay present.
Why This Work Matters
Phillip’s commitment to SDA reflects a deeper truth about Hispanic Alliance’s model: the most powerful thing you can give someone isn’t advice—it’s your presence.
Showing up consistently. Listening without agenda. Believing in potential before it’s proven. That’s how movements are built. That’s how lives are changed. That’s how a small circle in 2010 becomes a statewide network in 2025.
As HA celebrates 15 years of building tables where everyone belongs, Phillip’s work reminds us that legacy isn’t what you leave behind—it’s what keeps growing long after you’ve planted the seed.
Your gift ensures that mentors like Phillip can keep showing up for the next generation of leaders. That students have guides who see their full potential. That the ripple effect continues.
