Juliana Zavala changing lives through girls flag football 

That experience is why Zavala has dedicated almost four years of her life to establishing and nurturing girls flag football and the players who have fallen in love with it.

While sports helped shape Zavala as a child and brought her to what she views as her life’s purpose, her experiences always lacked one thing – female leaders.

“I had great mentors — really great mentors that guided me and showed me the ropes,” Zavala said. “But I’ve always had male mentors. I’ve never had a female mentor. To me, that’s kind of what I want to do. I want to be that female mentor for these girls to kind of let them know, ‘Look, I’m in a position right now in sports administration. I work for CPS and I’m able to help support you.'”

Zavala’s mentorship and contagious spirit expands beyond the city of Chicago. Willowbrook High School senior Emma Anderlik formally met Zavala for the first time at this year’s girls flag football state championships. Anderlik had of course heard of and seen Zavala around before, but never had the chance to sit down with her.

But when Anderlik witnessed Zavala receive the Bears Inspire Change Changemaker Award at the state championships, she was in awe.

“I was just amazed because a woman receiving such an award is absolutely amazing,” Anderlik said. “I think being surrounded with a bunch of other flag players in that environment just made it feel really magical. You don’t see that every day. You don’t get to be in the presence of somebody who’s awarded that every day.”

Since that day, Anderlik and Zavala have “at least 30-minute conversations” every time they see each other. The rising girls flag star added she thinks about Zavala’s words and wisdom all the time.

“Mentally, I feel like I connect with her so much better than a man, probably because she is also one of the first,” Anderlik said. “She’s understanding this for the first time as well with us girls. So having her as that role model feels very supportive.”