Philip Harrison has spent his career transforming a once-exclusionary profession into a tool for social justice, equity, and inclusion.

A commitment to diversity is deeply embedded in Harrison’s leadership. He oversaw creation of the design industry’s first Justice, Equity, Engagement, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Council. Following the social justice movements of 2020, he directed his firm to issue a formal "Pledge to the Black Design Community," committing to combat systemic racism, increase the recruitment and promotion of Black professionals, and provide pro bono design services to underserved communities.

His advocacy extends directly to Harvard as well. Harrison helped establish the Philip Freelon Fellowship Fund at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) specifically to provide financial aid and expand academic opportunities for African-American and other underrepresented students.

Shaped by an early-career fellowship in West Africa, Harrison believes that "art and design are inherently democratic and integral parts of human experience.” In his candidacy for the Board of Overseers, he advocates for Harvard to become "a wellspring of visionary creative leadership," and stresses the need to cultivate a campus environment of "joy, well-being, safety, and overall richness of experience.”