Phyllis Thorne joined the Sanctuary Institute at Andrus in 2015 as a per diem faculty to support leaders in organizations in culture change in the practice of trauma-informed care. For the past few years she has worked primarily with schools helping them to create and sustain trauma informed environments that mitigate the effects of trauma and provide safe, nurturing environments that support the healing, growth, development of students and staff, and the families they serve,

In 2013 she retired from her job as Manager of Public Information and Government Affairs at Con Edison where she was a company liaison to community and government leaders and not-for-profit organizations.  Phyllis worked for Con Edison for 43 years, during which time she created and organized many programs and partnerships to enhance and support the education of children and adults, especially in underserved communities.  She believes that education is the key to personal fulfillment and to improving the quality of life in our communities.   Her passion is to support the education and the development of others, and to assist them in achieving their goals, and living purpose driven lives.

Phyllis Chairs the Board of the North Brooklyn YMCA, and serves on the Board of the YMCA of Greater New York.  She is Co-chair of the Board of Bridge Street Development Corporation.  Phyllis Chairs the Education/Scholarship Committee of the New York Metropolitan area chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), and represents the Northeast on the AABE National Scholarship Committee.  She is also a founding member of the Cardinal McCloskey Charter School Board of Directors.  The School will open its doors in September 2019 implementing the Sanctuary Model.

Phyllis has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Iona College, and a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) from Mercy College.