Whitney Phillips was born and raised in Jackson County. She is a 2004 graduate of Section High School. She received an academic scholarship to Northeast Alabama Community College and then transferred to Athens State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.
She began her career for the City of Scottsboro in January 2008 as the Accounting Assistant and then promoted to Staff Accountant after receiving her degree. Whitney was then promoted to City Clerk in June 2013.