In the world of personality psychology, few traits are as misunderstood as Agreeableness. Often seen as simply being “nice,” this dimension of the Big Five personality model is far more
Extraversion, one of the Big Five personality traits, is often celebrated in our society. We tend to admire those who can easily command a room, network effortlessly, or rally a
When we talk about personality traits, few are as multifaceted and intriguing as Openness to Experience. As part of the Big Five personality model, openness encompasses a rich spectrum of
When you hear the word “extravert,” what comes to mind? Perhaps you envision a gregarious individual who thrives in social situations, always ready with a witty comment or an infectious
At illumyx, we know that successful organizations need to be able to solve complex problems creatively and innovatively. However, the creative problem-solving process involves two distinct types of thinking that
When we hear the word “vulnerability”, our minds may immediately go to the inspirational work of researchers like Brené Brown, who has popularized vulnerability as a key leadership strength. However,
When it comes to building high-performing teams, one of the most critical factors to consider is the dynamic between personality similarities and differences among team members. This interplay can either
We all have our vices – whether it’s a weakness for salty snacks, an addiction to online shopping, or a pattern of Friday nights out drinking with friends. While an
When you hear the word “neuroticism”, it’s usually viewed as a negative trait associated with anxiety, moodiness, and emotional instability. However, emerging research reveals that a moderate level of neuroticism
When it comes to understanding our unique personalities, the concept of the “Big Five” personality traits provides a comprehensive framework. One of these key traits is conscientiousness, often referred to
Max finds creative problem solving deeplyfulfilling is highly disciplined in his approach to research. He brings an advanced mathematics background to illumyx with significant experience in machine learning techniques, computer programming, and complex statistical analysis.
Max has experience working on complex Department of Defense projects and he recently transitioned his career into social science research. An erstwhile lecturer on data science at the University of Wisconsin, Max is gifted at communicating complex topics in easy-to-understand ways. Max assists the team in survey analysis and reporting and provides oversight on research design and analysis.
A father of two with a passion for music. In his free time, you’ll find him at a local park with his kids, cruising on his rollerblades, or jamming on his guitar with one of several bands he plays in.
Max Kresch, PhD
Senior Data Scientist
Andrew (Drew) Fleck, PhD, is a results-oriented organizational leader, certified executive coach, behavioral scientist, consultant, and entrepreneur. Drew is driven to add value to peoples’ lives by helping them become more self-sufficient. No matter what role he plays, he focuses on helping clients build strategic foresight into their organizations. He is a natural collaborator who looks for opportunities to partner and build-up others’ skill, knowledge, and confidence.
Drew is highly pragmatic and objective with a unique ability to think clearly under pressure. We can thank the US Air Force for that trait. His studies and practical experience make him an expert in leadership, learning, organization design, organization development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Over his career, he performed a number of strategic roles that aligned him with his love for travel and learning about different people and cultures. He has a reputation for transforming organizational systems from a reactionary transactional approach to a proactive strategic approach.
Drew started his career in High Tech, but has since worked across a variety of industry and government sectors. Drew holds Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University and a Master’s in Management and Organizational Behavior from Silver Lake College.
Andrew Fleck, Ph.D.
Chief Behavioral Scientist
Kristy is a highly organized, strategic thinker and planner. She helps bring focus and levity to the nerd kingdom at illumyx. Committed and caring are two words that describe her best and she has endless energy to support projects and causes she believes in. Her background in music, teaching, and finance brings greater efficiency and harmony to illumyx’ processes and team interactions.
Kristy leads operations for the illumyx team, specializing in administrative functions that include finance, HR, and employee onboarding. Her love for order and accuracy frequently find her leading qualitative analysis projects for illumyx. A former educator, Kristy has a Master’s degree in Education from St.Norbert College.
Kristy is the mother of four boys. She often unwinds by hosting large gatherings for family and friends, having a good laugh, enjoying a glass of wine (or a swig of tequila), and diving into niche romance novels.
Kristy Krautkramer, M.A.
Business Specialist & Qualitative Research Analyst
Dan is a data geek with a passion for computational social science and its applications in the workplace. Dan has never been a fan of the left-brain vs right-brain dichotomy–he is a dedicated all-brainer. He believes in the power of data to help us better understand human behavior at scale, and also that a healthy dose of humanity is required to accurately interpret data and apply insights with wisdom and tact.
Two of his favorite quotes sum up his approach to work:
“Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion,” W. Edwards Demming
“...people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” Maya Angelou.
In his free time, Dan enjoys wilderness camping with his family, reading, and tinkering with anything that can be taken apart. A lifelong learner, he holds a BA in Education, is currently pursuing his MS in Data Science, and has amassed a growing collection of certificates from fine institutions around the country.
Dan Ritter
Director of People Analytics
Steve’s life mission is to unlock the mysteries of complex human interactions to make people’s work and personal relationships more meaningful, productive, and satisfying. All things niche and complex are food for his ADHD brain. He’s a geek at heart with irreverent humor, but also has a deep love of people. An experienced leader in the areas of culture optimization, organizational effectiveness, and team development, Steve is the visionary and founder of illumyx.
His background in both the hard sciences and the art of family dynamics allows him to take a behavioral and systematic approach to organizational change and transformation. He has worked with Fortune 1000 organizations and executives in a variety of sectors to help them optimize their culture and achieve results. Steve holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver in Colorado and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.
An adventurer at heart, Steve spends his free time exploring nature with his 4 kids and anyone up for testing their limits. He enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, and finding brief moments of rhythm out on the dance floor.
Above all, he enjoys seeing people grow and develop by giving them the freedom to explore and try new things. As someone once put it, “Steve makes it safe to be dangerous”.
Steve Utech, MSW
Founder, CEO, and Director of Consulting
