USA Football board member Elizabeth Okey reflects on her journey and Wintrust’s support of the sport's growth. 

In June, more than 1,000 athletes and team staff from across the U.S. and around the world descended on Los Angeles for USA Football’s Summer Series. Among them was Niles North High School (Skokie, Ill.) standout quarterback Molly O'Hara, whose path to starring at the national level was supported by Wintrust Financial Corporation’s community-driven focus and investment in programs growing the sport. 

In June, more than 1,000 athletes and team staff from across the U.S. and around the world descended on Los Angeles for USA Football’s Summer Series. Among them was Niles North High School (Skokie, Ill.) standout quarterback Molly O'Hara, whose path to starring at the national level was supported by Wintrust Financial Corporation’s community-drive focus and investment in the Summer Series program. 

While O'Hara shredded defenses on her way to earning MVP honors in the Select Bowl’s girls’ 18U division, USA Football Board of Directors member and Wintrust Vice President of Community Impact, Elizabeth Okey took in the games and venue. Months prior, her passionate support of girls and women in football and Wintrust’s generosity made the dreams of many young athletes a reality.  

In March, Wintrust provided free registration for more than 200 athletes to attend USA Football’s Chicago Talent ID Camp. Hosted with the Chicago Bears at the Bridgeview Sports Dome, the event provided a pathway for athletes to develop their skills and become eligible for roster spots at Select Bowl. In total, more than 20 Illinois residents, including O'Hara, earned invitations to Los Angeles, representing the groundswell of talent throughout the state. 

“At Wintrust, our community banking model ensures that local teams are empowered to support their communities,” Okey explained. “When we talk about making a positive impact, our folks are doing this every day. Annually, Wintrust supports about 2,000 community partners covering health and wellness, small businesses, youth and sports and more. Our impact really focuses on what is needed in each community. We show up with time and resources. We will always be the folks that will give time and talent.” 

“My favorite thing about attending the Chicago Talent ID Camp and Select Bowl was making all the connections to meet new people and making lifelong friendships,” said O'Hara, whose performance earned her an invitation to USA Football’s Passing Accelerator in July. “Now I have connections that will stay with me for the rest of my life.” 

Wintrust’s support comes at a landmark period for flag football. The sport is poised to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Additionally, the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact has voted to recommend Divisions I, II and III sponsor legislation to add a National Collegiate Flag Football Championship, which could be held in the spring of 2028, months before the Olympics.  

The Chicago Talent ID Camp was hardly Wintrust’s and USA Football’s first collaboration. In 2023, the two organizations teamed up with the Chicago Public League to support the first-ever High School Girls Flag Football Summer League. Illinois voted to sanction girls’ flag football as a varsity sport seven months later. Since the summer of 2023, the number of states sanctioning girls’ flag football has nearly tripled, with more than 20 now sanctioning the sport.  

“If you want a sport to grow, you can't do it without grassroots support,” Okey explained. “Chicago Public Schools had this great opportunity, but there was a gap in the development of the sport in terms of offseason play. Our role was really to help fill a gap.” 

For Okey, who represented the red, white and blue as a proud member of USA Football’s 2013 U.S. Women’s Tackle National Team that won the IFAF Women's World Championship, and many members of her generation of athletes, being able to support and build a new path for girls and women to thrive in football is a dream come true.  

“I think the thing that's really beautiful about Wintrust is that we honor and support our team members' passions,” she said. “We have hundreds of employees that serve on nonprofit boards. It matters that we support them because they are our best leadership in the community. Being able to work at a company that supports my passions is amazing. I'm really lucky and honored that I have an employer who is very supportive of football.” 

Young athletes’ interest in football has never been in question. According to USA Football research, in the ten years from 2015 through 2024, the number of girls ages six to 12 playing flag football increased by 283%. During the same time period, there was a 57% increase in flag participation among girls ages 6-17.  

However, gaining access to competitive and developmental opportunities to pursue state championships, NAIA or NCAA college scholarships, gold medals or even just the fun and friendship of the sport remains an obstacle for some communities. That’s why support from organizations like USA Football and Wintrust is removing more barriers to participation than ever before.  

“To know that there's a pathway and opportunities that we dreamt of can’t ever be encapsulated into words,” said Okey. “I stood at the Summer Series with other National Team alumni and said, ‘This is what we always dreamt of. This is what we always wanted for ourselves, and if we could never achieve it, then surely these girls will.’” 

The rapid growth of girls and women in football feels like a full-circle moment for Okey. She began her career coaching girls’ flag football before learning about and trying out for her local women’s tackle team. Although she became one of the nation’s top players and loved the experience, it came with some tough challenges. 

“When I played, I had to raise thousands of dollars to put on that uniform. I had to take weeks of my vacation time to do that,” Okey explained. “I sacrificed my body, my job, my career to be able to play football. That's a sacrifice that I would do again and again, but it's something that our girls won't have to.” 

Organizations like USA Football are building the infrastructure to provide a path for girls and women to compete from youth up through high school, college and the international level, including when USA Football leads the U.S. National Teams to LA28.  

Flag football’s rapid expansion has given rise to a new class of women who are inspiring the young athletes to pursue their love of the game. One of those athletes is U.S. Women’s National Team offensive captain Ashlea Klam, who Okey’s daughter met at Summer Series.  

“My daughter, after going to Summer Series, says that Ashlea Klam is her favorite player. She got to meet Ashlea, get her autograph and she sees herself in the sport,” Okey said. “That's what we wanted. There aren’t many people that get to see this in their lifetime. They don't get to see that growth. When I joined USA Football’s board in 2015, the Olympics were hardly a dream. Fast forward to today, and it's all possible.” 

Okey and Wintrust have taken multiple pathways to amplify the work of other women who are growing the game, including hosting a large panel at their downtown Grand Banking Hall to support women in football. The event amplified the work so many teams and current or former athletes are pursuing to clear the way for players like Klam and O'Hara to succeed.  

As Okey looks toward the bright future for girls and women in sports, she had a message for up-and-coming athletes like O'Hara.  

“There's a mountain of women that are behind you. We have dreamt of your success for decades, and we're so excited to see you climb and succeed,” Okey said. “Even if you do not hear us or see our faces, know that there's a big cohort of women's football supporters that are holding you up and cheering you on. When you stumble, we'll dust off your knees for you. We are always behind you and with you.