Ashlie Grilz

Lead a revenue-driven consultancy focused on building partnerships, brand strategy, and brand growth for talent in women’s sports.

• Lead partnership development and business strategy with WNBA, PWHL, NWSL, Northern Super League, and Women’s Rugby organizations, driving commercial growth through licensed merchandise, athlete collaborations, and branded campaigns.
• Structure, negotiate, and manage high-value partnerships that align revenue goals with mission-driven impact.
• Spearhead WNBA partnership strategy, cultivating long-term relationships with leagues, teams, athletes, agents, and brands.
• Design and execute immersive launch events, panels, and community activations that integrate storytelling, apparel, and athlete engagement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with leagues, teams, creatives, and sponsors to deliver integrated growth strategies informed by market insight and brand positioning.
• Secure strategic partnerships with athletes, teams, and cultural brands (including MF DOOM, Thundercat, Norman Powell, Orlando Pride, and San Diego Wave), strengthening brand visibility and community connection.
• Support athlete personal brand development.

Led strategic partnerships, revenue growth, and community-driven programming across business, nonprofit, and civic sectors.

• Exceeded annual revenue targets by building a diversified pipeline of corporate and institutional partners.
• Forged innovative partnerships that aligned CIC’s brand with economic development and community goals.
• Collaborated with executive leadership to design mission-aligned initiatives that strengthened brand positioning and stakeholder engagement.
• Identified and activated new market opportunities across North American innovation ecosystems.
• Developed internal training frameworks to align messaging, partnerships, and client experience across departments.
• Managed staff and supported regional leaders in delivering high-touch, relationship-driven client experiences.

Led high-touch student experience, onboarding, and professional development for elite graduate students.

• Designed and delivered holistic onboarding and support programs for domestic and international graduate students.
• Built cross-departmental partnerships to align academic, housing, wellness, and career resources around student success.
• Developed leadership and professional growth programming tailored to high-performing students in creative industries.
• Served as a confidential advisor for students navigating complex personal and academic challenges.
• Proactively removed barriers to success by coordinating resources across campus and external partners.

Managed university-wide engagement programs connecting students, athletes, and community partners.

• Served as the primary liaison between campus, athletics, and community organizations.
• Managed logistics for 900+ annual initiatives supporting leadership, service, and professional development.
• Developed and delivered training on leadership, life skills, and team performance.
• Supervised a 12-person team, promoting cross-functional collaboration.
• Built partnerships that aligned university goals with community impact initiatives.Led university-wide engagement programs, acting as a trusted liaison between students and community partners to ensure mutually beneficial connections and successful outcomes.
• Managed logistics and operations for 900+ annual initiatives, ensuring smooth execution while supporting the personal and professional growth of participating students and athletes.
• Developed and delivered leadership, life skills, and professional development training for student teams, fostering resilience, collaboration, and high performance.
• Supervised a 12-person team, promoting cross-functional collaboration and scalable support systems to meet diverse student and community needs.
• Identified and addressed individual and group needs by coordinating resources across campus and community partners, including the athletic department ensuring participants felt supported and equipped to succeed.
• Facilitated connections and built initiatives that supported student and athlete growth while advancing community goals, acting as the primary bridge between campus and external partners

Supported women’s hockey and football operations, marketing, and fan engagement.

• Managed game-day operations and marketing initiatives.
• Enhanced fan experience through in-arena music and engagement programming.
• Supported coaches with video analysis for performance development.
• Collaborated with athletic staff to ensure athlete and fan centered experiences.