Webinar Jan 9 about online casino gambling

Mark Gottlieb is a public health and research attorney and law professor who has worked in the field for more than 30 years. He joined the staff of Northeastern University School of Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) in 1993 where he has been the executive director since 2004. Professor Gottlieb's primary professional focus has been on legal and regulatory interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco industry products. 

He serves on the editorial boards of the pediatrics journal, Children and Frontiers in Public Health. His research and advocacy interests also include gun violence prevention and food policy. Over the past several years, he has dedicated himself to the public health movement to bring reform to the gambling industry.

Professor Gottlieb strongly believes that Public Health Advocacy must promote social justice and address health inequities. A bibliography of his scholarly work is available here. Professor Gottlieb's litigation work includes tobacco personal injury cases, e-cigarette consumer protection actions, and lawsuits focused on the predatory practices of online gambling operators. Mark Gottlieb also serves as the president of the board of directors for the Institute for Health and Recovery and is a founding board member of Families and Friends of Gamblers.

Samantha Hamilton is the Director of Coalition Building & Community Engagement at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. With over 20 years of working in the region, Samantha Hamilton has deeply committed to investing in Springfield through diverse professional experience and community-based work. Through the Live Well Springfield Coalition, she leads the Climate Change and Health Equity Initiative (CCHE), the Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI), and the Resident Advisor Capacity Building Program.

She came to the PHIWM after spending over 15 years with Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS), where she progressed from Lead Camp Counselor to Director of Operations. While at MLKFS, Hamilton supported state and federal grant initiatives around gang violence, substance abuse prevention, and teen dating violence. In addition, she trained and engaged youth who successfully advocated for the passing of Tobacco 21. Her efforts also resulted in the creation and implementation of youth safe haven programming, domestic and dating violence education, and annual community engagement events.

Dedicated to civil advocacy, Ms. Hamilton co-founded A Queen's Narrative in 2018, a platform fostering a safe and inclusive space for women and girls to harness their narrative power. This personal enrichment program, tailored for women and girls of color, utilizes storytelling to promote self-empowerment and self-awareness. Collaborating with diverse women community leaders, Ms. Hamilton designs and executes thematic curricula and workshops for the program. In 2023, A Queen's Narrative received the Springfield Chapter NAACP Award for Community Services, recognizing its unwavering commitment to empowering young girls and women with freedom and purpose.

Samantha, a proud two-time alumna of American International College, holds a BA in Business Management and a Master's in Counseling Psychology from the esteemed Springfield-based institution. She has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2021 Business West 40 under 40 Award and the 2021 Massachusetts State House Citation for the Springfield Kwanza Community Impact Award. Additionally, Samantha is celebrated as a published and bestselling author. Her accomplishments led to her recent induction into the prestigious Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry for 2023-2024.

Victor Ortiz, MSW, LADC I, CADC II is a social worker with over twenty-five years of experience in the development of programs and services in the area of addiction, youth development, child welfare, and behavioral health. He has worked extensively with a wide range of populations, especially in addressing health disparities, promoting equity and social justice. Victor has served in various professional positions aimed at improving access, and advocacy of care for individuals and families. 

In 2009, Victor received his BSW from Anna Maria College. He was recognized for academic excellence while serving as a mentor to many students seeking professional guidance. Victor received national scholarship recognition from the National Association of Social Workers and The Council on Social Work Education for his many years of advocacy in the Latinx community. In 2010, Victor received his MSW from Simmons College School of Social Work. Victor’s professional and personal experiences have contributed to many op-eds and publications. 

Victor is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer, and educator in the areas of addiction, gambling disorders, health disparities, and equity. Victor is currently the Director of the Office of Problem Gambling Services at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. 

State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa is a public health advocate and legislator committed to improving health outcomes and equity across Massachusetts. She has focused her work on addressing the social and economic conditions that shape community health, including access to safe housing, nutritious food, and quality health care. In the Legislature, she has been a strong voice on reproductive health, environmental health, and protections for health care workers, and has also advanced a public health approach to gambling by emphasizing prevention, education, and treatment for problem gambling and related harms, ensuring that policy decisions prioritize the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.