STAFF

Diana Goode, Executive Director

Diana has been with the Council since May 2018. She brings 25 years of leadership experience and passion in the nonprofit sector to the important work of raising awareness about problem and responsible gambling. She currently serves as Secretary of the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Affiliates Committee. Diana previously held executive-level positions with Foodshare, Gifts of Love and Operation Fuel. Community participation and involvement is key to Diana; she has previously served as a board member for the Community Farm of Simsbury, Gackstatter Family Foundation, Avon Land Trust, and Farmington River Watershed.

KAITLIN BROWN LPC, LADC, ICGC II, IGDC, BACC, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Kaitlin Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC), Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC II), holds an International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC) and is a Board Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC) with the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board providing supervision to those seeking to obtain certification in working with Gambling & Gaming Disorders. Kaitlin is currently the Director of Programs & Services for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Kaitlin oversees the statewide problem gambling helpline, education, prevention initiatives, and responsible gambling efforts. Kaitlin has provided direct counseling services to those with a gambling disorder as well as family members in the Bettor Choice Treatment Programs in CT. Kaitlin has also been able to share her knowledge and experiences by delivering clinical and prevention training presentations relating to gambling and gaming on the state, regional and national level. Kaitlin has dedicated her career to helping those affected by Gambling Disorder and continues to make it her mission to increase community awareness of the overall impact of gambling related harm. Kaitlin is currently a part of the Executive Team for the NCPG Prevention Committee and member of the Helpline & Treatment Committees. In 2021, Kaitlin was honored with the NCPG Jim Wuelfing Prevention Award for her work in helping advance the field of problem gambling prevention.

Paul Tarbox, Director of Public Policy and Communications

Paul Tarbox is the Director of Public Policy and Communications for the CT Council on Problem Gambling. Prior to joining the CCPG, he had over 15 years of experience working with government at the local, state, and federal levels. He served as administrator of the Veterans’ Affairs and Public Safety Committees of the Connecticut General Assembly and was the team leader for the Senate Majority Clerks. Paul was a gubernatorially appointed member of the Board of Trustees for the CT Department of Veterans Affairs, served as an advisor to United States Senators and Representatives in multiple official capacities, and through various local governmental appointments. Paul is a respected presence at the State Capitol and a skilled problem solver with an in-depth knowledge on how government works. Paul has designed, participated in, and led training sessions for agency and institutional staff, interest groups, students, and veterans. An avid writer, Paul was the feature writer for a local biweekly newspaper and has had articles published in several newspapers and magazines. He is a proud United States Army Combat Veteran who served In Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Paul is currently a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Communications & Military Committees.

Valerie Tebbetts ICGC II, RSS, Helpline, Recovery, and Training Manager

Valerie Tebbetts has been in recovery from a gambling addiction for over 10 years. She has been a trainer in the State of Connecticut with the staff of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Problem Gambling Services and has presented at the National Council on Problem Gambling’s (NCPG) convention on “Mindfulness Based Recovery” and “Financial Issues and Problem Gambling”. She is an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor and also holds certifications as a CCAR Recovery Coach and a DMHAS Recovery Support Specialist. She is an advocate for all people who are negatively impacted by gambling and passionately believes there is always hope for those willing to get help. Valerie previously worked as a Peer Counselor for the Bettor Choice treatment program and still serves as a Recovery Coach in a medication assisted treatment program for opioid dependent individuals at UCFS Healthcare in Norwich, CT.

Mallory Schultz, MPH, Prevention Manager

Mallory Schultz is the Prevention Manager for The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling. She has her BS in Nutrition and Wellness from The University of Saint Joseph and a Master of Public Health degree from The University of North Carolina. She’s held various roles in the prevention and public health field including working as a Diabetes Prevention Educator, SNAP Educator, and Prevention Program Coordinator for a state funded grant. In her current role she works with local, regional, and state organizations to deliver gambling specific education and outreach primarily with the youth and college population.