Meet the Team Powering the Next Generation of Athlete Brands
We’re a team of strategists, storytellers, and NIL trailblazers—committed to helping student-athletes build, protect, and profit from their personal brand.
At The 42U, we specialize in empowering student-athletes to navigate and thrive in the evolving world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Our team brings together decades of expertise in branding, marketing strategy, content creation, and athlete development to help athletes maximize their NIL potential. From building a standout personal brand to securing partnerships and managing long-term visibility, we’re here to guide every step of the journey—on and off the field.
Former student‑athletes, entrepreneurs, psychologists, and creatives united by one mission: giving college athletes the tools, mindset, and brand power to win on the field and for decades after.
Co Founder & CEO
With over 20 years of experience in innovation, development, and management across a diverse range of ventures, Stephen Bienko brings a unique perspective to 42U and the evolving world of college athletics. His background includes founding the Institute of Athletic Performance/Parisi Speed Schools, serving as CEO of Fownders, becoming the largest franchise owner of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, and spending over a decade in sports marketing and athlete management.
A former Division I football player and decathlete, Stephen understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing student-athletes. His education at the United States Air Force Academy, Villanova University, and Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, along with his experience as a State Trooper for the NJ State Police, has helped shape his approach to leadership, performance, and personal development.
Co Founder & COO
A former student-athlete and Division I football player at Rutgers University, Joe Donato brings a deep understanding of the student-athlete experience to his role as co-founder of 42U.
His 25 years of corporate sales experience at Canon USA and 20 years as a small business owner of National Dance Showcase, Inc. have equipped him with the skills to guide student-athletes in their personal and professional development. Joe’s ongoing involvement in the collegiate sports community, including his mentorship and alumni engagement work, reflects his commitment to helping student-athletes succeed both during and after athletics.
Co Founder & VP of Athlete Experience
As a co-founder and Vice President of Athlete Experience, Chase Munkholm brings a blend of branding, marketing, and social media expertise paired with sports industry knowledge to 42U.
His studies in organizational leadership and entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware, combined with his experience as a high-level basketball player and his family’s deep tennis roots, provide him with a unique understanding of both the high school and collegiate sports landscape.
At 42U, Chase helps lead athlete branding systems, internal operations, and team development while ensuring all areas of the company work cohesively to support athletes and university partners.
VP, Identity Development in Sport
A former Division I lacrosse player at the University of Notre Dame, Ed Lubowicki brings a unique blend of athletics, leadership development, and organizational behavior to 42U. Having experienced firsthand the demands of elite competition and athlete transition, Ed is passionate about helping student-athletes build identity, confidence, and long-term success beyond sport.
Ed spent nine years at Deloitte leading people and changing initiatives in high-performance environments before earning his master’s degree in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in leadership coaching, identity development, and athlete transition.
Through hundreds of conversations with athletes across levels, Ed has developed a practical, research-backed approach focused on self-awareness, competitive mindset, and helping student-athletes navigate both competition and life after sport with greater clarity and purpose.
Manager, Athlete Success
A former lacrosse player at Bucknell University, Leah Rutland serves as the athletes’ primary day-to-day point of contact within 42U.
Leah tracks athlete progress, coordinates brand activation, manages communications, and helps oversee athletes’ go-to-market strategy. Her role centers on ensuring athletes stay aligned, supported, and positioned for both NIL and long-term personal growth opportunities.
Lead Creative Design
Charles Massaro takes ideas and turns them into visuals. A five-year leader in athlete branding design, Charles specializes in developing creative visuals that reflect each athlete’s personality, story, and brand identity.
His work helps athletes communicate who they are in a way that is authentic, marketable, and visually pleasing.
Brand Content Producer
After completing his undergraduate degree in criminal justice, Tim is currently pursuing his master’s degree in HR management at Rutgers University, where he also serves as a social ambassador and graduate research assistant.
Tim brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and creative vision to 42U. Working hands-on with Division I athletes and NIL partners, he specializes in showcasing athletes through authentic narrative storytelling. From highly produced visual marketing to engaging social media campaigns and creative athlete content, Tim helps ensure every athlete’s story is captured and positioned in a way that strengthens both their personal brand and long-term visibility.
Lead Engineer
A transformative engineer from the Rutgers University Honors College of Computer and Neuroscience, Dhruv Lalwani helps turn the vision of 42U and the athletes it serves into the digital realm.
As a Rutgers Presidential Scholar, Dhruv leads technical development and engineering initiatives across the platform, helping create scalable systems that support athlete branding, assessment integration, and digital infrastructure.
