Dave Phillips, a project director at WestEd, leads CIFR. This role builds on his years of experience developing processes, creating cross-organizational partnerships, and organizing teams to provide effective technical assistance to state agencies. He has previously held leadership roles in a number of federally funded regional and national data and TA centers, including serving as co-director of the prior iteration of CIFR, convener of the Fiscal Improvement Team in the Regional Resource Center Program, co-lead of the Urban School Improvement Alliance for the Regional Education Lab-Northeast and Islands, and TA Team Lead for the IDEA Data Center.

Prior to joining WestEd, Phillips served as the IDEA Part B Data Manager for the state of Vermont.