Team & Advisory Board

Accomplished leader with a 15-year track record at renowned corporations (Microsoft, Apple), startups (Snapchat, Vinted) and scale-ups (Flixbus), specializing in the development of technical solutions embraced by millions of users worldwide. John has delivered over 30 technical conference presentations and authored 2 influential books on engineering, and has a proven record of creating and managing world-class engineering organizations.

Accomplished technology leader known for building enterprise products and cloud solutions, with recognized security expertise and a keen ability to navigate complex team and company dynamics. Recognized for her profound capacity for growing, managing, and retaining high-performing engineering and product management teams, with a deep-seated passion for driving performance and leveraging consumer insights into strategic decisions.

Zoltan Mesko is a former NFL athlete, entrepreneur, and technology leader. A Michigan alumnus, Zoltan earned degrees in Finance & Marketing and Sport Management while breaking records as an All-American punter for the Wolverines. After an NFL career with the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals, Zoltan moved into business leadership, bringing team building and strategy to the Next Play Advisory Board.

Experienced COO and two-time founder specializing in the zero-to-one phase of venture-backed startups. With over 20 years in consumer experience across B2C, B2B, e-commerce, and SaaS, Rhenee brings a strong background from roles at Snap and top creative agencies, where she worked with clients like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subaru, DirecTV, AT&T, and Cartoon Network, and now lends that operating experience to the Next Play Advisory Board.

Award-winning sales leader and gaming culture expert with 15+ years in gaming, esports, and digital media. Jason specializes in driving innovation, leading impactful campaigns on platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, and delivering high-impact esports activations. With expertise in digital strategy, streaming media, and MarTech innovation, he helps brands thrive by integrating emerging technologies with traditional media.

Steven is a lawyer and regulatory advisor with 10+ years of experience in capital markets and financial regulation. He’s held key roles at TD Securities, SteelPeak Wealth, and Chatham Financial. Steven brings legal and regulatory expertise to help companies navigate complex environments, holds a J.D. from New York Law School and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Florida, and is a licensed attorney in the State of New York.

Seasoned executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across retail, consumer products, and digital innovation. Mike has held senior roles in both industry and consulting, where he’s led high-impact teams, managed multibillion-dollar P&Ls, and driven large-scale digital transformations. Mike serves on the board of a $2B public CPG company and volunteers on a regional nonprofit board, passionate about collaborative teams and digital strategy.

Accomplished leader in AI/ML, data science, and engineering. Chirayu has hands-on experience building and leading high-growth, high-performance teams in diverse environments (from startups to large-scale) and multiple domains including e-commerce, consumer products, finance and semiconductor. Chirayu has led teams at renowned companies such as Lattice Semiconductor and Unilever, delivering impactful solutions and a culture of excellence.