3rd Annual Asian-American Conference on Problem Gambling

Dr. Florence M. Chee is Associate Professor of Digital Communication in the School of Communication, Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Computer Science, and Director of the Center for Digital Ethics and Policy (CDEP) at Loyola University Chicago. Her book, Digital Game Culture in Korea: The Social at Play (Bloomsbury), critiques stereotypes about gamers and game addiction by taking an up close and personal look at the social and cultural roles that games fulfill in everyday life.

Sought out as a speaker, writer, and advisor, her sociotechnical interventions inform and influence decisions made in design, development, and policy arenas that include games at the forefront of the most pressing issues facing digitally mediated communities. Florence Chee is founding director of the Social & Interactive Media Lab (SIMLab) based in Chicago, USA.

Paulette O’Gilvie, PhD, MBA, CLERGY, CCGC is an accomplished multidisciplinary scholar and academic leader whose work centers on culturally grounded approaches to gambling prevention, stigma reduction, and community well-being. Focused on ecological determinants, socio-economic factors, and cultural impacts of gambling, Dr. O’Gilvie brings an interdisciplinary lens that bridges research, policy, faith-informed practice, and community engagement, making her a compelling voice for audiences working at the intersection of behavioral health, social justice and community advocacy.

Dr. O’Gilvie serves as Faculty Chair and Associate Professor of Human Services and Behavioral Studies at American Baptist College, where she leads academic initiatives on ethical leadership, prevention, and culturally responsive programs. Her practice critically examines how inequities, language, and professional bias shape gambling prevention, access to care, and help-seeking behaviors across diverse communities.

Dr. O’Gilvie’s peer-reviewed work includes studies on casino proximity, poverty, prevention, and urban casino communities, published in Humanities & Social Sciences Communications. She has also provided professional analyses for Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO) and several newsletters. Her forthcoming book chapter, “Reflections from the field: Faith, prevention and the power of social expression,” appears in Leading the Way: Unity Through Community (Harvard Education Press).

As a keynote speaker, Dr. O’Gilvie is known for translating complex research into accessible, community-centered insights that resonate with practitioners, community advocates and leaders, policymakers, and educators. Her work is especially relevant across historically marginalized communities, where stigma, cultural norms, and systemic barriers often silence or complicate conversations around gambling and hinder prevention and help-seeking. She emphasizes culturally responsive engagement, inclusive language, and cross sector collaboration as essential components of effective gambling prevention.

Dr. O’Gilvie holds a Distinguished PhD in Multidisciplinary Human Services from Capella University, an MBA from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, and advanced executive certificates from Johns Hopkins, Cornell University, and Teachers College at Columbia University. She holds the International Clergy Lay/Minister Certification and the Collegiate Counselor Gambling Certification (CCGC) from the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC), supporting her work across faith, academic, collegiate, and community settings.

Dr. O’Gilvie invites conference participants into a shared conversation about breaking stigma, honoring cultural resilience, and advancing prevention strategies that are ethical, inclusive, and grounded in community voice. Her work underscores a central message of this conference: meaningful change happens when research, culture, and compassion move forward together.

Dr. Asha Rao OTD, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist and early intervention provider practicing in the suburbs of Northern Illinois. Her background in disability and mental health spans across clinical practice, qualitative research, and capacity building in public policy and non-profit sectors. Dr. Rao is the founder & ED of The Chicago Kasam which is a non-profit organization (501c3) focused on uniting the Chicagoland South Asian community across the diaspora and generations, while strategically connecting creatives and professionals to fuel the missions and visions of both parties

Mimi Tsang, MPH is a Program Manager at Midwest Asian Health Association (MAHA). Mimi earned her Master of Public Health with a focus on Health Behavior Promotion from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. At MAHA, she oversees substance use, gambling, and bullying prevention programs, leading public health outreach and awareness across Chicago’s Southwest Side. Passionate about education and health equity, Mimi raises awareness about substance use and gambling-related harms while working to reduce stigma in underserved communities, including Asian American populations. She partners with youth, schools, and local organizations to deliver accessible resources, facilitate workshops, promote harm reduction, and support early prevention efforts.

Dave Wohl is a seasoned professional with a diverse background and over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. With a passion for improving patient care and healthcare systems, Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University, a Master of Science in Sports Medicine from West Virginia University, and an MBA from Western Governors University. Additionally, Dave is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), demonstrating a commitment to leadership excellence within the healthcare field.
Before joining ICPG in 2023, Dave held various roles within healthcare, ranging from direct patient care to department management and hospital administration.  With a wealth of experience, Dave brings a unique perspective and leadership to ICPG.

Ben Yew is a second-generation Korean-American and a dedicated advocate in the field of addiction recovery. Drawing from lived experience with compulsive gambling and cross-addictions, Ben has become a prominent voice for awareness, speaking at conferences for the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems (DCGP) and appearing on podcasts such as ODAAT Gambling Awareness and Connections: Healthy Gambling and Gaming. His mission is to share his story to expose the devastation of gambling addiction and to provide insight into navigating the journey of recovery.