Odessa Dwarika is a public health practitioner, addressing a wide range of intersectional community concerns over nearly three decades. As Chief Program Officer of the Mass Council on Gaming and Health, she leads trauma-informed and resilience focused initiatives to empower stakeholders in healthcare, gaming, and policy to confront gambling harm. These efforts strengthen existing safety nets while ensuring professionals have the research and resources to best care for individuals and families impacted family violence and problem gambling. Odessa holds a B.A. in Sociology from Brandeis University; a M.A. in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University. She is a Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner.