Meet Sami Grisafe | Actor, Singer-Songwriter, Chief of Staff, Instil, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sami Grisafe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sami, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is at the heart of breaking barriers, creativity, and innovation. I think most of what I’ve pursued in my life can be perceived as risky. Whether it was my pursuit of: becoming the first female in California to play QB in men’s Varsity Division I High School Football game, a scholarship to one of the top theatre conservatories in the U.S., writing and performing 3 studio albums, playing shows or operating a tech start-up, risk always feels present.

I find that the presence of risk is like a lighthouse reassuring me that I’m headed in the right direction.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Like most things I love, I fell into it. I have a very odd resumé that leave most people walking away with a quizzical look. I fell into a football career from attending a free technique clinic when I was 10. This lead me to become the first female in California to play QB in a DI Men’s Varsity football game, which later turned into 3 World Championships, A National Championship, a couple hall of fames, lots of speaking engagements (SXSW, Chicago MCA, Pro Football Hall of Fame), some TV appearances (NFL, Fox Sports), an award-winning feature-length documentary, Open Field, and a Soundtrack that I co-wrote and performed on for that same documentary.

I fell into becoming a singer-songwriter when I realized my football schedule didn’t mesh with the demands of an actor’s. My parents were singers when I was growing up, so the choice made sense. I could make my own schedule booking shows on the days I had available. I could write songs from different character’s points-of-view, and fulfill my creative itch while butting heads on the gridiron. I played an vinyl release show on the main stage at The Hotel Cafe last June and am about to start a weekly residency at the member’s only speakeasy in Santa Monica this Summer.

I fell into acting when the lead in our high-school play was suspended 2 days before opening and I had to learn the part. That turn of events lead to state and national honors, a scholarship to a theatre conservatory, a performance in an off-off-broadway production, and a couple of TV appearances. I left acting to play football professionally and have just now mustered up the courage to return. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon Adam Harrington’s class after a brief discussion at a party with a fellow Chicago-trained actor. Adam’s coaching style is wonderfully challenging, and the students are incredibly supportive and inspiringly talented.

I fell into the tech start-up world because of an impromptu performance after an art show opening at the Von Lintel Art Gallery. My friend Laurie Nelson, COO at Signal Sciences, introduced me to her friend and CTO at Signal Sciences, Hala Al-Adwan at this shindig. Since I had just come from a gig, I had my ukulele with me and played an impromptu set over charcuterie and wine. This lead to conversation about the private concert series I co-founded, which I guess made her think I’d make a good EA. I was hired, became the Head of Culture in a year, and a couple years after that followed Hala to her next company, Instil.io where I went from Trusted Advisor to Operations Manager, and now Chief of Staff.

So, to recap…I’m a Retired Quarterback, Speaker, Singer-Songwriter, Actor, and Chief of Staff.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love my hood, Playa Del Rey, so we would definitely spend some time at some of the haunts there, grab some pastries at Playa Provisions, coffee at Tanner’s, morning walks on Toes Beach and waterfront bike rides on the trail to Hermosa. Tie one on at Prince O’ Whales, Lunch at the family-owned Mexican Restaurant, TC Organic or grab a gigantic fresh pressed juice at Señior G’s.

Outside of our neighborhood, probably hit up some delicious Italian at Fia in Santa Monica, check out what live performances are happening at The Art Room in DTLA. Catch some live music at Hotel Café or a little comedy at UCB in Hollywood. Shopping on Abbot Kinney. Burgers at American Beauty Bar’s The Win-Dow.

Hike the Ocean Overlook Loop or any of the other gorgeous hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains. Pickleball with Westchester Pickleball. Take a Zillow walk in Los Feliz (it is what it sounds like).

If it was June 27, 29, or 30th I would take her to see Forrest Gump a One Woman Show at The Cat’s Crawl, because it looks like that’ll gonna be a good time. Thanks for the tip, Eventbrite!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could write a book the length of The Odyssey with all of the people who deserve the credit/recognition for the bright spots in my life’s story. To simplify, I will just say my community. My family, my parents and my brother were my first community and gave me the foundational tools I needed to succeed out in the real world. So many mentors along the way in teachers, coaches, professors, managers, colleagues, friends, teammates. The thing they all had in common was they were honest, kind, and patient.

I owe a big chunk of gratitude to my hometown, Redlands, CA, the Chicago Force Women’s Tackle Football Team, the LGBTQIA community (particularly in Chicago), all of the artist I’ve met along the way and been inspired by especially those who performed at the private concert series I co-founded here in LA, SunSeshLA. My first tech company community in LA at Signal Sciences and my current Company, Instil.io. Last, but certainly not least, my wife, Cally, and our dog Noodles who are my safe place at the start and end of every day.

Website: http://samigrisafe.com

Instagram: @samigrisafe

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samigrisafe/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/samigrisafemusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SamiGrisafe/channels

Other: Links to music on all streaming platforms: https://vibe.to/samilive

Image Credits
Cheryl Mann Photography
Glam Tie Media
Josh Fingerhut Photography
Madhaus Productions
Vanguard Muse