Webinar Series

Jo Sanchez began working with NCPG in July 2023 as a part-time contractor and joined the team full-time in March 2025 as the Grants and Development Manager. In this role, she oversees the Agility Grants and conference scholarship programs and supports volunteerism and development.

Jo has over 10 years of experience in grants management and philanthropy and has worked with several non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. and in Guatemala. She has a B.S. in Mass Media Communications with a concentration in print journalism from Oral Roberts University and a professional certificate in Data Analytics and Visualization from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She resides in San Antonio, Texas and enjoys traveling to a beach as often as she can with her family.

Heather Maurer is the Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), where she spearheads the organization’s mission to lead awareness and advocacy efforts to reduce gambling-related harm. With extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and public health–oriented initiatives, Heather brings a collaborative, strategic approach to advancing NCPG’s national impact and strengthening partnerships across sectors.

Derek Longmeier is the Executive Director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. In this role, he co-chairs the Infrastructure Committee of Ohio for Responsible Gambling’s Problem Gambling Service Advisory Board. Derek has attained certification from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board as an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant. He holds an MBA from Ohio Dominican University, a BA in Psychology from The Ohio State University, and a Certificate in Social Enterprise from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business.

Currently, Derek serves as the President for the NCPG Board of Directors and holds an Affiliates Seat (2024-2027).

Jody Bechtold, LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC, is a highly regarded gambling addiction expert working with individuals, organizations, and businesses worldwide. She is the CEO of The Better Institute, a group practice in Pittsburgh, PA. She is the co-author of “The Gambling Disorder Treatment Handbook: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals” (2021) and two chapters in “The Social Workers Desk Reference” (4th edition, 2022) on gambling and gaming disorders. Jody serves as an advisor to various organizations, including GamFin, UpSide, and Seagulls Flock Organization in the Philippines. She is the President of the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC) formerly known as IGCCB. Jody holds an MSW from the University of Pittsburgh and several certifications from the IPGGC (ICGC-II, IGDC, BACC, CGT).

Dustin Gouker has been an executive, analyst, writer and editor in the gambling industry for more than a decade after a career in journalism. He currently runs a consultancy in the gaming and content industries and publishes two daily newsletters: The Closing Line on the gambling industry and The Event Horizon on prediction markets.

Kira Landauer, MPH is a Community Health Educator Supervisor at the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts. Ms. Landauer works on multiple grant-funded projects that increase awareness and education of gambling problems and related harms. She develops live trainings, online courses, and educational materials for diverse audiences. Ms. Landauer also manages Gambling Disorder Screening Day – an international, community-driven initiative started by the Division on Addiction to encourage screening for Gambling Disorder. She is a Senior Editor of The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (The BASIS) addiction research blog.

Abdullah Mahmood, LSW, LICDC-GAMB, ICGC-I, OCPS, ICPS, started working with clients at Maryhaven several years ago, before becoming the Administrative Coordinator of the Gambling Intervention Program. He has worked extensively in prevention, treatment, administration, as well as having direct services with clients with mental health concerns, clients with substance use disorder, and clients with disordered gambling. Abdullah attended Columbus State Community College for his associate’s degree, attended The Ohio State University, for his bachelor’s degree in social work, and lastly Cleveland State University for his master’s in social work.

Michelle L. Malkin, JD, PhD, directs the Gambling Research and Policy Initiative (GRPI) at East Carolina University, where she also serves as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology. Her research examines how gambling affects individuals, families, and communities — with a focus on behavioral risks and gambling-related harms in under-studied populations. Dr. Malkin’s scholarship bridges research, policy, and practice to promote evidence-based responses to gambling harm. She has earned national recognition, including awards from the NCPG and multiple honors from ECU for innovation, research excellence, and community engagement.