Jillian Douglas-Phillip Appointed Chief of Staff in
Jillian Douglas-Phillip has been appointed Chief of Staff in the Office of the Governor, effective December 22, 2025, the Government of the Virgin Islands announced in a press release distributed via the Government Information Service (GIS). The appointment, also reported by BVI News and Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), confirms her role overseeing day-to-day operations at Government House and supporting the Governor’s constitutional duties, with BVI News providing additional detail on the specific constitutional areas the Governor oversees.
Jillian Douglas-Phillip has been named Chief of Staff in the Office of the Governor, effective December 22, 2025, according to an official press release from the Government of the Virgin Islands issued through the Government Information Service (GIS). The government release says that as Chief of Staff Mrs.
Douglas-Phillip will lead the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Governor, Government House and the Old Government House Museum. Her duties are said to include providing independent analysis and expert advice on legislative matters, coordinating strategic planning for the office, overseeing performance management and supporting His Excellency the Governor in the execution of constitutional responsibilities under section 60 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 (Government Information Service).
BVI News, which also reported the appointment, highlighted and expanded on the constitutional remit the Governor’s Office supports, noting that the Governor’s responsibilities include oversight of external affairs, defence, internal security, the terms and conditions of public officers, and the administration of the courts, as set out in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 (BVI News).
Douglas-Phillip’s long career in public service. The government noted she served as Director of Planning in the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports since 2017 and before that held senior leadership roles in the ministry, including Acting Deputy Chief Education Officer and Acting Chief Education Officer.
Those positions provided broad exposure to policy development, school system oversight and administrative leadership across the territory (Government Information Service; BVI News). Her academic credentials were listed in the government statement: a Master of Public Administration from the University of Liverpool, a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of the Virgin Islands.
She also holds an Executive Diploma in Management (Level 7) from the Chartered Management Institute (Government Information Service). Douglas-Phillip expressed gratitude and pledged to support the Governor while ensuring the Office of the Governor functions at its best. “I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the Public Service to continue the ongoing advancement of the Virgin Islands and the development of our systems,” she said in comments carried by GIS and repeated by local outlets (Government Information Service; BVI News).
The government noted the selection underscores its commitment to the advancement and professional development of public officers and signals continuity in the administration of ceremonial and constitutional duties at Government House. It added that strengthening internal planning, performance oversight and inter-agency collaboration will be priorities under her leadership.
The GIS release included media contact information and named Eusa Z. Adams, Communications Officer II in the Office of the Deputy Governor, for further enquiries. Local coverage by VINO and BVI News has helped bring the announcement to broader public attention as stakeholders in education, civic groups and partners of Government House watch how she implements strategic priorities.
Primary source: BVI Government