Who We Are

Affective Software, Inc is a software company with patented technology founded by Dr. John Gottman, Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, Microsoft veteran and technology executive Rafael Lisitsa, CEO, and former Chief Scientist of Webtrends Dr. Vladimir Brayman, CTO. Affective Software combines the Gottmans' science with cutting edge expertise in software, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning to deliver proven relationship couples' assessment methods and intervention exercises оn smartphones, tablets, and computers.

On February 14, 2023, Affective Software announced acquisition of The Gottman Institute. The two companies will now join and be known as Gottman Inc. - see Press Release

About The Gottman Institute. Drs. John and Julie Gottman have revolutionized the study of marriage. For nearly four decades they have conducted research on all facets of relationships. At the Institute, they developed an approach that not only supports and repairs troubled marriages and committed relationships, but strengthens happy ones. The Gottman Institute provides live workshops and take-home training materials for couples. The Institute is committed to an ongoing program of research that increases the understanding of relationships and adds to the development of interventions that have been carefully evaluated.

To realize the Gottman Inc. mission, it is imperative to leverage technology to make the service accessible to people no matter their race, religion, sexual orientation, and ethnicity and drastically decrease the financial barriers for couples and therapists.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Rafael Lisitsa
Co-founder, President & CEO
Technology Executive and innovator, worked with the world’s leading engineers and business leaders on the foundational versions of Microsoft Windows NT Operating System, multimedia streaming and real-time communications. Extensive experience as a CTO, Corporate Director, Engineering Manager and Program Manager focused on strategic business initiatives. Strong expertise in real-time mission critical control systems, Machine Learning, AI, Applied Mathematics, Audio / Video and Digital Signal Processing. Author of 17 patents.
Dr. John Gottman
Co-founder, Chief Scientist
World renowned for his research on marital stability, divorce prediction and parenting. Named one of the Top 10 Most Influential Therapists of the past quarter-century by the Psychotherapy Networker. The recipient of numerous major awards. The author of over 200 published academic articles and more than 45 books.
TV appearances include Good Morning America, Today, CBS Morning News, Anderson Cooper, and Oprah. Author of 2 patents.
Dr. Julie Gottman
Co-founder
Co-founder and President of The Gottman Institute. Named Washington State Psychologist of the Year. The co-creator of the Gottman Sound Relationship House Theory, Gottman Method Couples Therapy and “The Art and Science of Love” workshops for couples. The author/co-author of five books. Media appearances include 20/20, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, Today, and many international network TV news programs.
Dr. Vladimir Brayman
Co-founder & CTO
Entrepreneur, Executive, Scientist, Engineer. Worked as the VP of Research at Clearsight Systems and the Chief Scientist at Widemile, built pioneering Marketing Optimization Platform. Worked as the Chief Scientist at Webtrends after its acquisition of Widemile. Served as an Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington. Deep expertise in Machine Learning, AI, Dynamical and Control Systems, Electronic Engineering, Digital Signal Processing. Author of several patents.
Jane Boulware
CMO
C-Level marketing, sales and business leader known for turning around and leading three businesses to over $1 Billion. Awarded Marketer of the Year by the AMA and earned two New Product of the Year recognitions. Corporate VP for Microsoft Online, Windows and Surface. Chief Marketing Officer of Kimberly Clark. Proven expertise in marketing, sales strategy and GTM in tech, consumer, enterprise and new business start-ups.
Edward Sargent
Chief Education Officer
A visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in the online learning industry and a passion for leveraging technology to revolutionize education. A native New Yorker, Ed is a life-long advocate for education, diversity and accessibility with a proven track record of success at the Gates Foundation, higher education, and in media production. As the CEO of The Gottman Institute, Ed built and grew the online learning platform to a multi-million dollar world-wide business.