About the Center
Emotional Intelligence for the Way People Actually Lead, Work and Relate
The Center for Emotional Development helps leaders, professionals and organizations understand and strengthen the emotional-intelligence skills that influence how people communicate, make decisions, manage pressure, navigate relationships and lead others.
Our work combines validated emotional-intelligence assessment with coaching, professional certification, leadership development and organizational programs. The goal is not simply greater self-awareness. It is helping people use that insight to make meaningful changes in how they lead and work with others.
Led by Rupert A. Hayles Jr., Ph.D., the Center brings together research-based assessment, practical application and decades of leadership and organizational experience.
Our Team
Meet the Team
Rupert A. Hayles Jr., Ph.D.
President and Co-Founder
Rupert A. Hayles Jr. is President and Co-Founder of The Center for Emotional Development. He has served as Chief Operating Officer of major nonprofit organizations in New Jersey and is certified in EQ-i 2.0®, EQ 360® and TESI® assessments. He has coached executives, CEOs, and senior leaders while bringing over fifteen years of strategic management experience from organizations including Prudential Financial, Cytec Industries, and Merck Pharmaceutical.
He is also a lecturer, adjunct professor, leadership consultant, and author specializing in Emotional Intelligence, Organizational Management, Strategic Planning, and Leadership Development.
- B.S. — Management Information Systems & Accounting, Stillman School, Seton Hall University
- MBA — Finance & Decision Sciences, Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania
Maryann L. Hayles
Managing Partner and Co-Founder
Maryann L. Hayles is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of The Center for Emotional Development. She has coached in the emotional development and inner healing realms for many years and is certified in the emotional measures EQ-i 2.0® and EQ 360®. Maryann is a certified teacher and facilitator of the Elijah House Training School and a facilitator of The Circle of Security® Intervention Program.
She is also the Founder and President of Babyz & Kidz Dynamics, a specialty store for children’s apparel. Prior to her current position, she served in Corporate America for 17 years.
- B.S. — Finance, New York University
Valerie Althouse, Ph.D.
Executive Coach and Social Sector Leader
Valerie Althouse is an experienced social sector leader and coach, certified in the emotional measures EQ-i 2.0® and EQ 360® through Multi-Health Systems in Toronto, Canada. Based in New York City, she serves as the Northern Mid-Atlantic Director for International Students Inc.
She is the founder and director of the English Connections program at NYU, where she served as a Chaplain for approximately 14 years. Valerie is also certified in cross-cultural communication and critical-incident stress debriefing.
Jonathan Frejuste
Associate Executive Coach
Jonathan Frejuste is an Associate Coach with The Center for Emotional Development, certified in the emotional measures EQ-i 2.0® and EQ 360®. He has coached leaders ranging from directors of law enforcement agencies to spiritual leaders, and has worked as an auditor with Deloitte and Touche serving companies such as BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, and Rockwood Specialties.
He currently works in financial services as a senior financial planner with Ernst and Young. He is also a life skills advisor at the Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children.
- B.S. — Accounting and Finance, Haub School of Business, Saint Joseph’s University
- Certified Public Accountant, New Jersey State Board of Accountancy
- Series 65 Registered Investment Advisor
Fitz Hayles
Administration
Fitz Hayles is an associate with The Center for Emotional Development, focusing on strategic capture and operational deployment. He has several years of experience in business management, working for firms such as American Cyanamid Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth Vaccines Research in vaccine production, quality assurance and safety development.
- B.S. — Biology and Chemistry, Seton Hall University
- Post-Baccalaureate — University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Phil Beverly
Administration
Phil Beverly is a Certified Coach with The Center for Emotional Development, certified in the emotional measures EQ-i 2.0® and EQ 360® through Multi-Health Systems in Toronto, Canada. Phil has been Executive Director of New Hope Community Ministries in Prospect Park, NJ for nine years.
He has served on two church Boards, and currently co-leads E3, a network of Northern NJ Nonprofit Executive Directors. He specializes in coaching ministry and non-profit leaders.
- B.A. — History, Calvin University
- M.A. — Middle Eastern Studies, New York University
Our Approach
Measure. Understand. Develop. Apply.
Emotional intelligence becomes valuable when insight leads to action.
We use validated assessment to identify patterns and development opportunities, help clients understand what those results mean in the context of their work and relationships, and translate that insight into practical leadership behavior.
Whether we are working with an individual leader, certifying a professional practitioner or supporting an organization, the objective is the same: turn emotional-intelligence insight into stronger leadership, better relationships and more effective organizations.