Odessa Dwarika is a veteran public health practitioner, addressing a wide range of intersectional community concerns over nearly three decades.
As Chief Programs Officer, she leads trauma-informed prevention and intervention strategies to inform and equip individuals in healthcare, gaming, and policy, along with members of the public. These efforts strengthen existing safety nets while ensuring professionals have the research and resources to best care for individuals struggling and their loved ones.
Fluent in Spanish, Odessa holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and an M.A. in intercultural relations from Lesley University. She volunteers as a domestic violence coach, guiding survivors through family court systems, co-parenting, and managing their safety and self-care.
Her job, in her words:
“Gambling harm is a fact for many people, but we work to minimize that harm and create a safety net for those who find themselves in crisis. My role is to translate cutting edge research on problem gambling and player health to ensure our programs and policies are aligned with best practices, are culturally responsive, and trauma informed.”
Ask her about:
The Land Back Movement, parenting a kid with special needs, the lessons trauma symptoms teach us as individuals and communities