Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Sammuli.
Hi Phillip, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a San Diego native, I’ve always felt deeply connected to this community. I grew up in Poway and earned my undergraduate degree from San Diego State University, later pursuing a teaching credential and Master’s in Education at National University. I initially aspired to become a middle school teacher, but my journey took a meaningful turn when I pursued classroom experience through the YMCA of San Diego County.
That experience opened my eyes to the transformative power of nonprofit work. I found myself captivated not by the confines of a classroom, but by the community itself—its stories, its struggles, and its potential. I realized then that the community had become my classroom. Conversations turned into lessons, and collaboration became the curriculum. Helping people help themselves felt deeply purposeful, and that sense of impact continues to fuel my passion today.
I ‘cut my teeth’ in the nonprofit sector with the Y, an incredible organization that helped me grow as a leader. Since then, I’ve worked with several nonprofits in the human services space, learning best practices, navigating diverse cultures, and refining my approach to community advancement.
I truly hit my stride at the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, where I led the development department for nine years. That chapter culminated in a capital campaign for the Center for Military Families—a project close to my heart.
Eager to expand my experience beyond human services, I joined Forever Balboa Park as Vice President of Institutional Advancement. As a lifelong admirer of the park, the opportunity to lead a capital campaign for the Botanical Building and its surrounding gardens felt like a natural fit. When it reopened to the public in December 2024, it welcomed over 20,000 visitors. To this day the building receives about 3,000 visitors per day and continues to earn accolades as a tremendous success.
After that accomplishment, my heart drew me back to human services. I was invited to return to the Armed Services YMCA San Diego—this time, with renewed purpose—to lead its development and external relations department. Seeing the building I once helped fund, opened in April 2025. It was a full-circle moment. Today, ASY is on a dynamic path to expand its support for military families, and I’m honored to be part of shaping its future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road is rarely smooth—but every twist and turn brings a lesson. Over the years, I’ve traveled many paths, each shaped by different people, organizations, and timing. No two journeys are the same, and that’s what makes the work so meaningful.
In my experience with capital campaigns, each one has had its own distinct purpose. But it’s the subtle differences—the case for support, the donor base, the campaign cabinet—that shape the strategy and ultimately the outcome. Success isn’t about following a template; it’s about understanding the nuances and adapting with intention.
Every campaign teaches me something new. And while the destination may not always be clear at the start, the journey itself is where the real growth happens.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Fundraising is an art form—one that demands creativity, patience, and vision.
Some have praised me for my ideas, but the truth is, they weren’t entirely original. Like many of us, I’ve borrowed, adapted, and reimagined concepts that already existed. The difference often lies in timing. Many ideas I’ve shelved over the years weren’t wrong—they were just early. Eventually, the moment arrives when they resonate, when they click.
By then, I’ve had time to let them evolve, to shape them in my mind, and to articulate them with clarity and relevance. That’s part of the artistry: knowing when to speak and how to frame an idea so it lands with impact.
But vision alone isn’t enough. The other half of the equation is execution. I’ve always taken pride in being someone who follows through—who gets things done. That’s the pragmatic side of creativity: turning ideas into action.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’ve been fortunate to learn from many mentors throughout my journey—some formal, others informal, and a few who never even knew they were mentoring me.
They were the kind of people whose excellence quietly inspired me. Watching them work, lead, or simply navigate challenges with grace made me want to emulate them—or at least carry forward parts of what made them great.
But mentorship isn’t just about individuals. I’ve also drawn inspiration from organizations with strong, empowering cultures. The kind of culture that encourages people to grow, take initiative, and innovate without fear. Where creativity is nurtured, not micromanaged.
In environments like that, you don’t just survive—you thrive. You stick around long enough to make a real impact, because the space allows you to become your best self.
Pricing:
- Academic Achievement Academy (Afterschool program): $79 per week
- Seasonal Day Camps; $249 per week
- Equestrian Day Camp: $149 (3 days per week)
- NEX Neighborhood Exchange Food Distribution; No cost (Bi-monthly)
- Horseback riding lessons TK-12; Horsemanship I: 30-min @ $50, Horsemanship II 30-min 4x per week @ $200 per mo., Horsemanship III 60-min 4x per week @ $299/mo.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sandiego.asymca.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asysandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASYSandiego/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asysandiego
- Twitter: ASYsandiego
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MilitaryYMCA
