Royals 2024

SANDY, UT – At halftime during the Utah Royals soccer game on November 1, WCF Insurance proudly recognized a deserving business owner with the 2024 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award.

“Supporting local businesses is at the core of who we are at WCF.”, said Matt Lyon, CEO and President, WCF Insurance. “We’re proud to celebrate our recipient and the impact that she continues to have on our community.”

This year’s recipient, Sammee Fa’apuna, is the founder of Sammee Cleaning Services. Sammee’s services provide clean, welcoming spaces for homes and businesses across Utah. Through challenges she has faced, she now empowers others through community support groups, youth mentorship, and sharing her journey of resilience. She is a great example of staying determined and has made the best of the many challenges she has had to face.

“The Utah Royals are proud to partner with WCF in recognizing the hard work and innovation of women entrepreneurs, creating meaningful opportunities that uplift local businesses and their positive contributions to our community," said John Kimball, President of Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals.

WCF is honored to be involved in the community by recognizing Sammee with this award as an exemplary businesswoman.

About WCF Insurance

With over 100 years of service, WCF Insurance is an innovative commercial insurance provider that serves the Western United States. Their daily commitment revolves around supporting the individuals who drive community growth, including businesses they insure, valued agency partners, dedicated employees, and the non-profit organizations they champion. WCF Insurance’s unwavering mission is to provide an excellent insurance experience, while fostering positive change through ongoing commitment to the communities they serve. To learn more visit wcf.com.

About Real Salt Lake / Utah Royals FC

During the first week of January 2022, the RSL compendium of properties was acquired by global sports entrepreneur David Blitzer – who boasts interests in the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), the New Jersey Devils (NHL), the Cleveland Guardians (baseball) and the Washington Commanders (NFL) – as well as several European soccer entities, including Crystal Palace (England), FC Augsburg (Germany), Estoril (Portugal), ADO Den Haag (Netherlands), Alcorcón (Spain), SK Beveren (Belgium) and Brøndby IF (Denmark). The Blitzer group partners with Utah-based Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), which owns the Utah Jazz (NBA), led by Ryan Smith and including Dwyane Wade, among others.

For the 2024 season and beyond, Real Salt Lake’s Blitzer / Smith ownership groups have partnered to bring the National Women’s Soccer League back to Utah, as Utah Royals FC have relaunched for the 2024 season. URFC aims to seize upon the success the NWSL enjoyed during its first iteration on the Wasatch Front from 2018-20 and grow the game to even greater heights going forward. Led by visionary sports business entrepreneur Jessica Gelman – the founder of the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, along with innovative NBA executive Daryl Morey – Utah Royals FC blazes new trails in 2024.