HARRISBURG, PA — In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting the women founders driving innovation through Harrisburg University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). Christina Milano-Damaskos, Co-Founder and CEO of Athlon, Inc., is on a mission to transform how children engage with wellness by turning screentime into active, meaningful play.
Through Athlon’s platform, Rallee, Christina is helping kids build healthier physical and mental habits in a way that is fun, accessible, and seamlessly integrated into their daily routines. We spoke with Christina about her journey, inspiration, and advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs.
Can you briefly describe your business or venture?
I am the Co-Founder and CEO of Athlon, the company behind Rallee: a youth wellness platform that helps kids build healthy movement and mental wellness habits through active gaming. Rallee turns screentime into active play with short, interactive experiences designed to support kids both at school and at home.
Our goal is to help children feel better, focus better, and build healthier habits that carry into both school life and home life in a way that is fun, accessible, and easy to fit into everyday routines.
What inspired you to start it?
My very first job was teaching kids sports, where I saw how making movement fun helped children build both physical and mental confidence. That stayed with me. As I grew in my career in the professional sports industry, I was increasingly confronted by the youth physical and mental health crisis and the need for better solutions that could reach kids in their everyday lives. Over time, I came to believe that when you feel called to solve a problem you cannot ignore, building the solution becomes a responsibility.
I have also been incredibly fortunate to build this company alongside my husband, Matt, whose technology background pairs with my sports and go-to-market experience to bring our vision to life.
How has the CIE supported your journey?
The CIE has been a meaningful part of my journey by creating a community that supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and founder growth here in Central Pennsylvania.
When we moved to Central Pennsylvania to build alongside our first school district customer, the CIE quickly became a home for us, both physically and through its incredible leadership, network, and resources from day one. Having access to that kind of environment has been incredibly valuable as we continue to grow the business. It is energizing to be part of a network that believes in helping founders turn big ideas into real impact.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a founder?
The most rewarding part of being a founder has been building something that can make a real difference in the lives of kids and families.
When you are building a company, you have to find the currency that fulfills you. For me, that’s seeing a child smile with joy as they engage with Rallee, hearing a teacher share the difference we are making in the classroom, or hearing relief from a parent who loves seeing their child get up and move in front of a device for a change. It is incredibly meaningful to see an idea go from vision to product to real world impact in schools and communities.
What advice would you give to women who want to start their own business?
Build from conviction and humble confidence. Conviction means believing deeply that you are meant to solve a specific problem: caring enough about the customer to keep going through sacrifice, setbacks, and uncertainty. Humble confidence means having a strong internal belief that is not easily shaken, while also being wise enough to listen to the right customers, mentors, and signals that help you grow.
As a woman, I also think it’s important to resist the pressure to shrink, soften, or over-explain your ambition in order to make other people comfortable. You can lead with empathy and still be decisive, ambitious, and unapologetic about the size of the vision you are building.
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ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science & Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, engineering, robotics, nursing, cybersecurity, and other critical fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link learning and research with practical applications. For information about HU’s affordable STEM degrees and professional development programs, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please contact Dan Wilhelm, Communications Manager for Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu or 717.901.5100×1724.
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