Chris Soto is a policy mentor at Brown University's Watson School of International and Public Affairs. He most recently served at the U.S. Department of Education as a senior adviser to then-Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

Soto represented New London's 39th District in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019. He served as vice chair of the Appropriations Committee and sat on the Housing and Higher Education and Employment Advancement committees. In the legislature, Soto helped expand in-state tuition aid to undocumented students, draft and pass legislation regulating sober homes, and secure funding for infrastructure improvements at New London's State Pier. He also championed the renovation of the city's Bartlett Park and worked to increase Latino voter turnout in New London.

Before entering public office, Soto served as a U.S. Coast Guard officer, with assignments aboard the cutter Valiant and with Maritime Safety and Security Team New York. He left active duty in 2008 and continued in the reserves until 2013, separating as a lieutenant commander.

Soto holds a bachelor's degree in operations research from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Master of Public Affairs from Brown.