Meet Our Team

Who We Are

Science-Based Guidance for Real-World Growth

At Essential Skills Consulting, we help people and organizations build the skills that matter most — the social, emotional, and behavioral human skills that support better leadership, deeper collaboration, stronger well-being, and meaningful success.

We’re a team of scientists and practitioners who believe that growth is possible at any stage — and that the right tools, grounded in science, can make a measurable difference.

Together, we developed the Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Skills Inventory (BESSI) — a comprehensive, research-backed assessment that provides practical insights into 32 distinct human skills. We created the BESSI to bring cutting-edge psychological science into schools, businesses, nonprofits, and communities.

Our mission is simple:

We help people thrive by building the skills they need to lead, connect, adapt, and grow.

Whether you’re looking to support one person or scale impact across an organization, we’re here to help.

Meet the Team

Christopher J.
Soto, Ph.D.

Chris is an expert on the structure, assessment, development, and life outcomes of human skills and personality traits. He leads efforts to translate psychological science into practical tools for personal and organizational growth.

Christopher M.
Napolitano, Ph.D.

Chris specializes in how human and self-regulatory skills develop across the lifespan. His work bridges developmental science with real-world applications in education, health, and workforce development.

Brent W.
Roberts, Ph.D.

Brent is an expert on personality and human skill development across adulthood. His work shows how life experiences and targeted interventions can foster long-term personal growth and professional development.

Alex
Casillas, Ph.D.

Alex specializes in assessment design and the role of human skills in educational and workplace success. He brings experience in implementing skills programs, designing large-scale assessments, and translating research into practice.

Madison N.
Sewell, Ph.D.

Madison is an expert on the development of human skills, particularly in connection to civic engagement and youth empowerment. She specializes in assessment, intervention design, and developmental supports for young people and educators.

Heejun R.
Yoon

Heejun specializes in the design and evaluation of human skill assessments. His work explores how these skills predict academic, occupational, and personal outcomes, and supports data-driven approaches to individual and team development.

Current and Past Partners

Ready to Build Essential Human Skills?

Whether you’re looking to support a team, host a workshop, or explore your own growth, we’re here to help. Let’s talk about how we can support your goals with evidence-based tools and personalized support.

Let’s Work TOgether
Let's Work Together
Let's Work Together