Looking Back, Moving Forward: Phil Coyte’s 25 Years with Vinnies

A Vincentian from the start

Phil’s connection to Vinnies began long before his official 25 years of service. His father was a member of the Society, and from an early age, Phil was exposed to its work. His first real experience came as a teenager when he accompanied his dad on home visits. “My mother passed away when I was 13, and my dad used to take me along as his plus one on home visits because a new rule required two people. That was my first real exposure to the work of St Vincent de Paul,” Phil recalls.

Although those visits were outside his comfort zone, they left a lasting impression. “It wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea at the time, but I completely believed in what they were doing. I always thought it was great to know there were organisations like Vinnies helping people.”

Years later, while studying business at university and working part-time in hospitality, Phil took on a temporary admin role in Vinnies’ retail sector. “It was meant to be short-term, but after a few months, they restructured retail in Broken Bay, and I applied for a new area manager role,” he says. “That’s when my first permanent job with Vinnies started.”

Climbing the ranks

Phil’s career at Vinnies is a testament to working from the ground up. He started in retail operations, covering both Gosford and Wyong, and gradually took on more responsibility. “He really has worked from the ground up, and he knows our retail operations inside out,” says Vinnies NSW CEO Yolanda Saiz.

Over the next 15 years, Phil became deeply immersed in the retail team, gaining hands-on experience in operations and leadership. “I was on a steep learning curve,” he says. “University gave me theory, but Vinnies gave me real-world experience. It was challenging, but I loved it. I was learning so much every day.”

Although he never finished his degree, he found something even more valuable: purpose. “I think that’s what’s always stuck with me—what we were doing had real impact. I wasn’t working for a shareholder. I was helping generate revenue for an organisation that directly assisted people, whether through programs, conferences, or other support.”

“I just wanted to help out,” Phil adds. “It was a good way to be part of something bigger.”

Leading retail through change

The first came early in his tenure with the shift from a highly localised structure to regionalisation and collective banking. “Every shop and conference had its own bank account, which wasn’t sustainable—especially with the introduction of GST,” he explains. “Bringing everything under one system laid the foundation for future growth.”

The second major shift was the opening of Vinnies’ first distribution centre in Broken Bay. “Previously, volunteers sorted donations in the back of shops, which created inefficiencies and safety risks,” Phil says. Centralising sorting streamlined operations, improved inventory quality, and allowed shops to align stock with customer demand. “It was a tough transition—many volunteers had been sorting for decades—but it set us up for long-term success.”

Thriving through transformation

One of the defining moments in Phil’s career came in 2019 when Vinnies centralised its retail operations—a major shift for the organisation. “Before that, each central council operated almost like its own separate business,” Phil explains. “Unifying retail meant we could share stock across NSW, build economies of scale, and eliminate inefficiencies.” “It was a hard change, but it made us stronger and more sustainable.”

Phil played a pivotal role in making it happen. “Phil joined the first centralised retail team, bringing all parts of retail into the centre. That was no mean feat,” Yolanda recalls. “Under the restructure, he became the first Director of Retail & Logistics, a crucial role for the organisation.”

Phil, however, is quick to credit his team. “It wasn’t just me,” he says. “We had a lot of great people who believed in what we were doing. Change is never easy, but with a committed team, you find a way to make it work.”

Since 2019, Vinnies’ retail operations have seen tremendous growth, thanks in no small part to Phil’s leadership. “He’s led many retail transformations, developed strong teams, and delivered phenomenal results,” Yolanda says.

Recently, Phil stepped into the role of Executive Director of Commercial Enterprise and Fundraising, joining the Executive Leadership Team. “Retail is always evolving,” he says. “You have to be willing to adapt, listen, and find ways to improve. That’s what we’ve done.”

A lasting legacy

Phil’s impact on Vinnies is undeniable. He has shaped the organisation’s retail operations, mentored countless team members, and navigated major changes—all while staying true to the values that first brought him to Vinnies.

Despite the big title, Phil’s motivation remains the same as it was 25 years ago. “At the end of the day, it’s still about supporting the mission,” he says. “That’s what’s kept me here all these years.”

As Yolanda sums it up, “Phil’s journey is one of purpose and commitment. He’s an invaluable part of this organisation.”

So, here’s to Phil Coyte—25 years, countless contributions, and a steadfast commitment to making Vinnies better every day.