Meet the Panel<\/strong><\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wbdc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Sabrina-Alsaffar-Associate-Director-Brand-Marketing-chicago-stars-fc-scaled-e1778614295425.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Sabrina Alsaffar (Panelist), Associate Director, Brand & Marketing, Chicago Stars, FC<\/strong><\/p>\nStarting 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<\/p>\n
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\u2019t necessarily dictate the places it can go.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wbdc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Awvee_HeadShot_2-scaled-e1778614356725.png\")
<\/p>\n
Awvee Storey (Panelist), Executive Director, Chicago Sky Foundation & Community Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\nAwvee Storey leads the organization\u2019s efforts across women\u2019s 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\u2019s Small Business Cohort, mentorship programs, and leadership development experiences.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s broader community work, is designed to create exposure, build confidence, and open doors for young people\u2014particularly girls\u2014to thrive both on and off the court.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wbdc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0.png\")
<\/p>\n
Samantha Bilzi, Vice President, Partnership Sales, AUSL Chicago Bandits<\/strong><\/p>\nSamantha 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\u2019s professional sports. She oversees sponsorship development for Athletes Unlimited\u2019s softball, volleyball, and basketball leagues, including the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, backed by Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s sports. Samantha earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University with concentrations in Finance and Sports, Event, and Hospitality Management.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wbdc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/HEATHER-ROBERTS-WHISKEY-GIRL-TAVERN.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nStarting 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<\/p>\n
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\u2019t necessarily dictate the places it can go.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Awvee Storey (Panelist), Executive Director, Chicago Sky Foundation & Community Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n Awvee Storey leads the organization\u2019s efforts across women\u2019s 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\u2019s Small Business Cohort, mentorship programs, and leadership development experiences.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s broader community work, is designed to create exposure, build confidence, and open doors for young people\u2014particularly girls\u2014to thrive both on and off the court.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Samantha Bilzi, Vice President, Partnership Sales, AUSL Chicago Bandits<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s professional sports. She oversees sponsorship development for Athletes Unlimited\u2019s softball, volleyball, and basketball leagues, including the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, backed by Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s sports. Samantha earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University with concentrations in Finance and Sports, Event, and Hospitality Management.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wbdc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/EMMA-BW-HEADSHOT-2022-002-e1778614506716.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wbdc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Source-Logo-768x340-1.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"