4th Annual Latine Conference on Problem Gambling

Dr. Florence M. Chee is an Associate Professor of Digital Communication and Affiliate Faculty in Computer Science at Loyola University Chicago, specializing in the social, cultural, and ethical impacts of emerging technologies. As a technocultural ethicist, her research provides critical insights into digital consumption behaviors, online ecosystems, and the structural design of interactive media.

At LUC, Dr. Chee is the founding director of the Social & Interactive Media Lab (SIMLab) and Director of the Center for Digital Ethics & Policy (CDEP). Her work deeply examines the intersection of technology design and user vulnerability. Her book, Digital Game Culture in Korea: The Social at Play, is an ethnographic study that reframes online game "addiction" by analyzing the vital social networks and media ecologies of gaming spaces. Her ongoing research addresses safety, consent, and predatory monetization models in digital environments, advocating for stronger user data control and the protection of vulnerable populations from exploitative system designs.

Alexia de León, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Co-program Director at Lewis & Clark College for the Professional Mental Health--Addictions Specialization program. She was the founding director of Lewis & Clark’s Latino Problem Gambling Services program that launched in 2017 and served over 75 clients in its first year of operation. She has been involved in providing treatment for those impacted by addiction and recovery for many years. Her research interests include the intersection of communities of color and addictions counseling, more specifically, Latinx families impacted by addiction and recovery, and the experiences of Latina clinical supervisors. Her current clinical work includes working with those impacted by addiction and gambling related issues within Latinx and recovery communities. Dr. de León maintains a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for Latinx communities seeking mental health services. She believes in healing the soul wound of her ancestors for the next generation by practicing cultural humility and trauma-informed counseling, along with other non-Western healing modalities for indigenous communities. Her clinical work and passion for Latinx wellness aims to transform and heal the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wounds of her ancestors by reconnecting with indigenous healing practices toward a road of recovery, collective empowerment and liberation. 

Ninoshka Lopez is a community engagement and outreach professional dedicated to building meaningful partnerships that connect individuals and families with essential resources. With experience leading outreach initiatives across Lake County, she specializes in community engagement, relationship building, project coordination, and developing collaborative partnerships with schools, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, businesses, and local leaders.

In her role at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, Ninoshka coordinates outreach efforts that increase awareness of prevention and behavioral health resources, manages community partnerships, represents the organization at events and conferences, and helps develop initiatives that improve access to services for diverse communities. She is passionate about creating authentic connections, fostering collaboration, and ensuring community voices are reflected in the programs and services designed to support them.

As a bilingual professional from Puerto Rico, Ninoshka is committed to expanding access and strengthening relationships with underserved communities through strategic outreach, culturally responsive engagement, and collaborative problem-solving. She believes lasting community impact begins with listening, building trust, and creating partnerships that empower people to thrive.

Elizabeth Thielen is a Senior Director at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services in Lake County, Illinois with over 20 years in the addictions field. A Licensed Professional Counselor and Problem and Compulsive Gambling Counselor, Elizabeth is passionate about increasing awareness of gambling disorder in the community and among helping professionals. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, and has also been an adjunct faculty at the College of Lake County, teaching about Process/Behavioral Addictions.  Elizabeth co-chairs the Gambling Disorder Committee, a sub-committee of the Illinois Substance Use Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. Having spoken at the local, State, and National levels, Elizabeth is recognized as an engaging speaker on the subject of gambling disorder and prevention. A former amateur athlete, Elizabeth is also committed to helping athletes avoid disordered gambling as our state adjusts to recently legalized sports betting.

Patti Vasquez is a Chicago-based radio host, stand-up comedian, writer, and advocate with more than 30 years on stage and on air. She hosts Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez on WCPT 820 AM, syndicated to Minneapolis and Seattle, and has been honored with both a Silver Dome Award and a Peter Lisagor Award for her work in radio. A veteran of Chicago's comedy scene, Patti has performed nationally, internationally, and sold a sitcom pilot to ABC Studios. She speaks with equal fluency in humor and hard truth — and on the topic of problem gambling, she speaks from the inside. Patti grew up as the daughter of a gambling addict, and the experience shaped who she is as a communicator, an advocate, and a person. She brings that lived experience to every room she enters.

Dr. Vidal de Haymes received her Masters Degree from the University of Chicago in 1987 and her Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1991. She joined the faculty of the Loyola University Chicago in 1992 where she is a Professor in the School of Social Work and directs the Migration Studies Sub-specialization and coordinates a migration-focused international social service exchange with the Universidad Iberoamericana-Mexico City and Puebla and  Jesuit refugee and migrant serving projects. Dr. Vidal teaches courses in the areas of social welfare policy and migration studies. She has been the PI on a number of federal and international grants and authored publications concerning migration, poverty and inequality, child welfare, and social work education. Dr. Vidal’s service includes co-editorship of the Journal of Poverty and service on the board of Cicero Family Services, Taller de Jose, and the National Pastoral Migratoria. She is the 2016 recipient of the Partners in Advancing Education for International Social Work (PIE) Award of the Commission on Global Social Work Education of the Council on Social Work Education, the Loyola University Chicago Faculty Member of the Year award and  Distinguished Research Faculty recognition in 2017 and 2022 respectively. 

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.