Kelli Kamimura - Women's Golf Coach - Washington State University Athletics

Kelli Kamimura

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
kkamimura@wsu.edu
Phone:
509-335-7147

Senior Associate Director of Athletics Kelli Kamimura serves as the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for Washington State University. As a member of the department’s leadership team, she plays a critical role in advancing strategic initiatives that enhance the success, well-being, and overall experience of Cougar student-athletes and staff.

Kamimura is an active participant in conference and national leadership groups that include Senior Woman Administrators, Athletics Directors, and conference leaders, contributing to efforts shaping the future of the Pac-12 Conference. Having experienced the Pac-12 as both a student-athlete and coach, she brings a valuable and informed perspective to the conference’s evolution and is committed to supporting student-athletes and coaches as the league enters its next chapter.

In her current role, Kamimura provides leadership across multiple areas of the athletics department and collaborates closely with campus and conference partners to advance departmental priorities. A central focus of her work is strengthening staff and department culture by fostering a collaborative, connected, and mission-driven environment. She is deeply invested in professional development, leadership growth, and alignment across units to ensure staff and coaches are well positioned to serve student-athletes effectively.
As SWA, Kamimura plays a vital role in advancing gender equity, student-athlete welfare, and a positive student-athlete experience. She helps guide policies and practices that promote academic success, personal development, and competitive excellence.

Kamimura has spent the majority of her career at Washington State University, serving in a variety of leadership roles within the athletics department. Prior to her current administrative position, she served as Head Women’s Golf Coach at Washington State for 13 years. She also coached at the University of Washington and Pepperdine University, bringing nearly two decades of experience as a collegiate coach. Her background as both a student-athlete and coach provides valuable insight into the student-athlete journey and continues to inform her leadership approach.

A standout student-athlete at the University of Washington, Kamimura earned All-American honors as a member of the Huskies’ women’s golf program. A Washington State native, she made history as the first female high school golfer to win four consecutive WIAA State Golf Championships while attending Sedro-Woolley High School.

Kamimura earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Washington and completed her Master of Business Administration while coaching at Pepperdine University. She and her husband, PJ Sanchez, have a daughter, Emmie, who is an enthusiastic supporter of Cougar Athletics.