Changes announced in governor’s staff
Gov. Matt Meyer has moved his chief of staff to an advisor position, and his legal counsel to fill the chief of staff slot.
Vanessa Phillips, who has served as chief of staff since January 2025, has moved to the position of senior advisor to the governor. Filling the position of chief of staff is Misty Seemans, who has served as deputy legal counsel.
“Vanessa Phillips has been an indispensable partner in advancing our agenda,” Meyer said in a press release. “Her steady leadership and commitment to public service have been critical to every milestone we’ve achieved both now in the Office of the Governor and as New Castle County’s Chief Administrative Officer – from historic investments in education to protecting the state’s corporate franchise, building the Hope Center and leading the effort to turn a dilapidated historic school building into the Hockessin Colored School 107C county park. As senior advisor, Vanessa will continue to lend her strategic vision and counsel on our most complex challenges.”
Under Phillips’ stewardship, Meyer said the governor’s office restarted interagency coordination to combat homelessness, opened the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and led the Administration’s crisis response efforts in the wake of unprecedented federal actions.
Meyer also praised Seemans’ service as deputy legal counsel.
“Misty has been a tireless advocate for good government, ensuring that every policy we propose stands up to the highest legal and ethical standards,” he said. “Her stellar judgment, attention to detail, and collaborative spirit make her the perfect choice to serve as chief of staff.”
Since joining the administration, Meyer said Seemans has performed legal analysis on multiple key issues and pieces of legislation, handled commutations and immigration policies for the office, and worked on a range of legal issues from criminal justice reform to social justice efforts. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Bard College and earned a law degree from Washington College of Law at American University.
Before working in the Office of the Governor, Seemans served as statewide Family Court Supervisor at the Delaware Office of Defense Services, where she handled jury and bench trials, and as press secretary for former Sen. Ted Kaufman. A native Delawarean, she also serves as an adjunct professor at Delaware Law School. Her parents, Pam and Jeffrey, reside in Milton.
