Breaking Into the Big Leagues: Unlocking Partnerships, Procurement & Engagement Opportunities with Chicago’s Professional Women’s Sports Organizations

Chicago professional women’s sports teams aren’t just entertaining- their organizations are potential partners for small business owners! Join us at this no-cost event at Whiskey Girl Tavern to learn about the different avenues available to small business owners interested in working with women’s professional sports organizations. Whether you are looking for a vendor contract, business expo or other partnership opportunity, you do not want to miss this high-energy event! Join moderator Emma Westfall, M.B.A., Director of Access to Capital Program and Services at Women’s Business Development Center for this energizing discussion!

Food and beverage available for purchase. Click here to view their menu.

Meet the Panel

Sabrina Alsaffar (Panelist), Associate Director, Brand & Marketing, Chicago Stars, FC

Starting at Global Affairs Canada in communications and marketing, Alsaffar worked with over 250 consulates and embassies worldwide on behalf of the Government of Canada. In 2020, she made the switch into sports marketing at U.S. Soccer, where she worked two World Cup cycles

before joining Chicago Stars FC to lead the club’s brand and marketing strategies. Her career path ultimately demonstrates that where your career starts doesn’t necessarily dictate the places it can go.

Awvee Storey (Panelist), Executive Director, Chicago Sky Foundation & Community Initiatives

Awvee Storey leads the organization’s efforts across women’s empowerment, youth education and leadership, community health and wellness. Under his leadership, the Foundation has expanded its programming to create intentional pathways for women and girls through initiatives like the Women’s Small Business Cohort, mentorship programs, and leadership development experiences.

Awvee also oversees the Chicago Sky Basketball Academy, which provides year-round access to basketball training, and life skills development for youth across Chicago. The Academy, along with the Foundation’s broader community work, is designed to create exposure, build confidence, and open doors for young people—particularly girls—to thrive both on and off the court.

A Chicago native, Awvee brings a unique perspective shaped by his experience as both a former NBA player and a 15-year career in the WNBA as a coach, scout, and player development leader. His approach to community impact is rooted in creating access, building meaningful relationships, and using sport as a vehicle for opportunity and growth.

He is also a proud father, raising his daughter who is currently a junior in high school, which continues to fuel his passion for investing in the next generation.

Samantha Bilzi, Vice President, Partnership Sales, AUSL Chicago Bandits

Samantha Bilzi is Vice President of Partnership Sales at Athletes Unlimited, where she leads strategic brand partnerships and revenue growth across one of the fastest-growing platforms in women’s professional sports. She oversees sponsorship development for Athletes Unlimited’s softball, volleyball, and basketball leagues, including the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, backed by Major League Baseball.

A seasoned sports business executive with nearly two decades of experience, Samantha has built integrated partnership programs spanning professional sports, Olympic properties, media, and live events. Throughout her career, she has secured and negotiated high-impact sponsorship partnerships with brands including Visa, Toyota, Kappa, Bose, Charles Schwab, and Invisalign.

Prior to Athletes Unlimited, Samantha served as Director of Global Partnerships and Business Development at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, where she led partnership initiatives supporting America’s Olympic and elite winter athletes for seven years, including PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2020 Winter Olympics Games. She also served as Commercial Sales Lead for North America at Two Circles, driving commercial growth and partnership sales for premier sports properties including the Kentucky Derby and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Known for building high-impact partnerships that connect brands with culture and fandom, Samantha has worked with executives and athletes across organizations including Major League Baseball, Hendrick Motorsports, Seattle Seahawks and USA Rugby. Her expertise spans partnership sales and development, integrated marketing strategy and activation, and exclusive hospitality experiences across both emerging and established sports properties.

She began her career with the New York Yankees in 2008 and has since built a reputation for helping brands unlock meaningful engagement through sports partnerships during a transformative era for women’s sports. Samantha earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University with concentrations in Finance and Sports, Event, and Hospitality Management.

Heather Roberts (Panelist), Owner, Whiskey Girl Tavern

Heather Roberts is an established technology attorney and operations executive. She is currently Division Counsel at Wipro Limited where she is responsible for global ecosystems and AI partnership legal matters. Outside of her day job, Heather and her wife Christina founded and run Whiskey Girl Tavern, a Chicago craft cocktail and sports bar. Opened in 2022, Whiskey Girl Tavern is one of the first women’s sports focused bars in the U.S. and has become a community staple in Chicago.

Emma Westfall, M.B.A. (Moderator), Director, Access to Capital Program and Services, Women’s Business Development Center

Emma Westfall is Director of Access to Capital Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center. Emma advises entrepreneurs on their capital options and supports the direct lending program. Prior to joining WBDC, Emma worked in corporate retail inventory management and merchandising. She has extensive experience in corporate DEI initiatives and supplier development program management. Emma holds a B.B.A. in Information Systems and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship and Management from Loyola University Chicago.

Part of The Source x WBDC Business Series