Our Team
We have assembled a first-class team that are ready to advance how telehealth impacts outcomes for gamblers and gamers.
KRI’s Scientific Advisory Board is composed of leading scientists in addiction and related fields. The board’s responsibility is to ensure the highest standards in research are met. The volunteer Scientific Advisory Board provides valued guidance and knowledge on all aspects of the research.
Leadership Team
Kindbridge Research Institute provides advisory services to policymakers at all levels of government by providing the most up-to-date findings in our field of study. We perform prevalence studies as a way to measure health in a population. We also can provide consulting to inform regulations and legal frameworks around state gaming and gambling policies.
Ph.D., Psychiatric Epidemiology
Executive Director
Dr. Nathan Smith
Dr. Nathan D. Smith is the founding Executive Director of Kindbridge Research Institute, a nationally recognized scientist and science communicator, and a leader in the field of behavioral addiction research and theory. His work reflects a belief in the power of simple, direct methodological approaches to understand complicated human phenomena, and an unwavering focus on producing practical solutions to real-world problems.
Each year, Dr. Smith travels throughout the US to give scientific and public talks on mental health and addiction, meet with leaders in the science and politics of mental health, and oversee the many Kindbridge Research Institute projects taking place throughout the United States. He makes a special effort to balance his time between meeting with scientific experts, and experts with lived experience of addiction.
Dr. Smith holds a PhD in Psychiatric Epidemiology from the University of Florida, a master’s degree from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. He lives north of Boston with his wife and two sons.
Each year, Dr. Smith travels throughout the US to give scientific and public talks on mental health and addiction, meet with leaders in the science and politics of mental health, and oversee the many Kindbridge Research Institute projects taking place throughout the United States. He makes a special effort to balance his time between meeting with scientific experts, and experts with lived experience of addiction.
Dr. Smith holds a PhD in Psychiatric Epidemiology from the University of Florida, a master’s degree from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. He lives north of Boston with his wife and two sons.
Operations Director
Dishi Umfleet
Dishi Kaur Umfleet is a highly accomplished executive with a successful track record of driving exceptional performance and revenue enhancement. She is currently the Operations Director at Kindbridge Research Institute where she manages strategic partnerships and develops long-term operational strategies. Additionally, Dishi is a Board Member for Go! Southampton, where she focuses on improving the commercial districts within Southampton through economic and social initiatives in partnerships with local authorities and businesses.
Dishi’s academic journey began in 2005 when she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Psychology from Demontfort University. Fast forward to 2021, she continued her pursuit of knowledge and personal growth by obtaining a certificate in The Science of Well-being from Yale University. Furthermore, she became a certified Happiness Practitioner by completing the program at the Museum of Happiness in 2022.
With a hands-on approach to leadership, Dishi draws out the best in an organization and has proven adaptability to international environments with a global success trail. Her specialties include business and sales leadership, operational consulting, and rapid, sustainable change initiatives driving top-line growth and bottom-line profit improvement.
Prior to her current roles, Dishi was the Business Owner of The Docks Coffee House in Hampshire, UK, where she honed her skills in management, product diversification, and business to business sales strategies. She also spent 6 years and 4 months at Renoir Consulting, serving as the Executive Vice President for the Turkey region and responsible for business generation and management.
With over a decade of experience in business leadership, revenue enhancement, and executive coaching, Dishi Kaur Umfleet has become a respected figure in the Greater Southampton Area and beyond.
Dishi’s academic journey began in 2005 when she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Psychology from Demontfort University. Fast forward to 2021, she continued her pursuit of knowledge and personal growth by obtaining a certificate in The Science of Well-being from Yale University. Furthermore, she became a certified Happiness Practitioner by completing the program at the Museum of Happiness in 2022.
Scientific Advisory Board
Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, MCAP
Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel
Dr. Diez-Morel is founder of Reboot & Recover, a nonprofit organization dedicated to gaming disorder and other technology-based addictions.
She is an assistant professor of graduate social work at Edinboro University and an invited member of the American Psychiatric Associations (APA) task force for Internet Gaming Disorder to discuss the inclusion and impact of Gaming Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Dr. Diez-Morel earned her Ph.D. from Florida International University where she was awarded the C-SALUD student scholar in Health Disparities Research Fellowship funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Through her work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Master Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP), Dr. Diez- Morel worked within nonprofit community organizations and in community hospitals throughout Florida providing direct clinical services to children, families, and adults experiencing addiction.
Dr. Diez-Morel has received a number of awards and grants for her work on finding solutions to a balanced living in a technology driven world.
She is an assistant professor of graduate social work at Edinboro University and an invited member of the American Psychiatric Associations (APA) task force for Internet Gaming Disorder to discuss the inclusion and impact of Gaming Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Dr. Diez-Morel earned her Ph.D. from Florida International University where she was awarded the C-SALUD student scholar in Health Disparities Research Fellowship funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Through her work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Master Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP), Dr. Diez- Morel worked within nonprofit community organizations and in community hospitals throughout Florida providing direct clinical services to children, families, and adults experiencing addiction.
Dr. Diez-Morel has received a number of awards and grants for her work on finding solutions to a balanced living in a technology driven world.
MD, Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry
Dr. Tim Fong
Dr. Fong is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA.
Dr. Fong completed his undergraduate and medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago. He then came to UCLA and finished his residency in adult general psychiatry in 2002 and was the first accredited addiction psychiatry fellow at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute (2002-2004).
He is the co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program (UGSP). The purpose of this program is to examine the underlying causes and clinical characteristics of gambling disorder in order to develop effective, evidence-based treatment strategies.
Since 2009, he has been the director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship, a one-year accredited program that provides clinical training in addiction psychiatry.
Finally, he is part of the faculty leadership of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, a multidisciplinary effort to examine the full impact of cannabis on the body, mind and brain.
Dr. Fong completed his undergraduate and medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago. He then came to UCLA and finished his residency in adult general psychiatry in 2002 and was the first accredited addiction psychiatry fellow at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute (2002-2004).
He is the co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program (UGSP). The purpose of this program is to examine the underlying causes and clinical characteristics of gambling disorder in order to develop effective, evidence-based treatment strategies.
Since 2009, he has been the director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship, a one-year accredited program that provides clinical training in addiction psychiatry.
Finally, he is part of the faculty leadership of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, a multidisciplinary effort to examine the full impact of cannabis on the body, mind and brain.
Ph.D., Psychology
Dr. Jeremiah Weinstock
Dr. Jeremiah Weinstock is a professor in the Psychology department at Saint Louis University, focusing on addictive behaviors with an emphasis on gambling disorder and exercise as an intervention. As an academic clinical psychologist, he is expert in addictions treatment and prevention research with a specific emphasis on gambling disorder and the utility of exercise as an intervention strategy for all addictions. He frequently conducts clinical trainings on gambling disorder treatment and on the development and implementation of contingency management for the treatment of substance use disorders.
J.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Lia Nower
Lia Nower, J.D., Ph.D., is a Professor and Director of the Center for Gambling Studies. A clinician and attorney who specializes in gambling disorder and behavioral addictions, she is also Director of the Addiction Counselor Training Certificate Program, a member of the leadership team of the Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC) and a research affiliate with the Sydney University Gambling Treatment Unit in the Brain and Mind Centre.
Dr. Nower’s research focuses on online gambling and video gaming, sports wagering, psychometric measurement, the etiology and treatment of gambling and gaming disorder, and gambling-related policy issues.
She currently serves as a Regional Assistant Editor for International Gambling Studies and an Associate Editor for Addiction and Addictive Behaviors journals. Dr. Nower is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling in Washington, D.C., where she also chairs the research committee and received the 2019 research award.
Dr. Nower has also co-authored several policy initiatives, including a model for self-exclusion programs and an industry framework for informed-choice and responsible gambling. She co-edited the book The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Disordered Gambling (2013).
KRI’s Scientific Advisory Board is composed of leading scientists in addiction and related fields. The board’s responsibility is to ensure the highest standards in research are met. The volunteer Scientific Advisory Board provides valued guidance and knowledge on all aspects of the research.
Dr. Nower’s research focuses on online gambling and video gaming, sports wagering, psychometric measurement, the etiology and treatment of gambling and gaming disorder, and gambling-related policy issues.
She currently serves as a Regional Assistant Editor for International Gambling Studies and an Associate Editor for Addiction and Addictive Behaviors journals. Dr. Nower is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling in Washington, D.C., where she also chairs the research committee and received the 2019 research award.
Dr. Nower has also co-authored several policy initiatives, including a model for self-exclusion programs and an industry framework for informed-choice and responsible gambling. She co-edited the book The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Disordered Gambling (2013).
KRI’s Scientific Advisory Board is composed of leading scientists in addiction and related fields. The board’s responsibility is to ensure the highest standards in research are met. The volunteer Scientific Advisory Board provides valued guidance and knowledge on all aspects of the research.
Board of Directors
Board Vice-Chair/Director
Daniel Umfleet
Daniel Umfleet is the current Board Vice-Chair and Director of the Kindbridge Research Institute and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kindbridge Behavioral Health, positions he has held since August 2020. In this role, Daniel has led numerous client engagements with organizations such as NFLPA PAF & Trust, Playtech, Entain, and NASCAR. He has advised C-Suite executives on mental health care strategies, designed consumer-facing education programs, built in-race fundraising programs for veteran programs, and supported telehealth clinic growth. Daniel has actively lobbied in multiple state legislatures for better mental health provisions and funding in upcoming spend bills.
Prior to his role in Kindbridge Behavioral Health, Daniel served as the Chief Operations Officer for Beanstalk Enterprises based in Southampton, England, where he helped create the SAAS strategy for the company's Regulatory Technologies product, Gamban, which is now a permanent pillar of the UK Gambling Commissions consumer protection strategy and continues to expand into the global marketplace.
Before joining Beanstalk Enterprises, Daniel worked as a Senior Business Analyst for Renoir Consulting in Miami, Florida, where he led select client engagements with organizations such as Mercy Youngstown Hospital Systems, Stanford Hospital Systems, and Alameda Health Systems. Daniel designed and implemented several process and policy strategies, resulting in significant cost optimization savings for the organizations and an increase in quality outcomes for clients seeking care from these systems.
Daniel holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, completed Lean Mastery from George Mason University, and attended the Entrepreneurship Development Program at MIT's Sloan School. He graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Communications in 2005.
Board Chairman
Trent Lambert
Trent Lambert is the co-founder and CSO of Kindbridge - the country’s foremost telehealth provider for behavioral addictions in the United States - providing unparalleled access to expert counseling and treatment for problem gambling, gaming, and other serious mental health conditions.
Driven by a desire to improve outcomes for active-duty military, veterans and first responders and their families, he is focused building strategic alliances between member groups, service and funding organizations to ensure that evidence based, high-quality outcomes are the highest priority from the first day an individual comes into care.
Trent also chairs the Board of Directors of Kindbridge Research Institute, a leading non-profit focused on improving military mental health through research, training, and treatment. Previously, Trent spent 10 years as a broker on the Chicago and Kansas City Boards of Trade, and afterword held posts overseas with Seaboard Overseas Trading Group for the better part of a decade while serving as their Vice President of Trading, and overseeing trading & risk management.
Trent was born and raised in the state of Kansas into a 5th generation farm family. He currently resides in the Isle of Man with his wife Sindy, where he owns and operates Back Forty Ventures advising C-Suite executives and startup founders on finance, technology and acquisitions.
In addition, he is an on-call firefighter with Isle of Man Fire & Rescue.
Driven by a desire to improve outcomes for active-duty military, veterans and first responders and their families, he is focused building strategic alliances between member groups, service and funding organizations to ensure that evidence based, high-quality outcomes are the highest priority from the first day an individual comes into care.
Trent also chairs the Board of Directors of Kindbridge Research Institute, a leading non-profit focused on improving military mental health through research, training, and treatment. Previously, Trent spent 10 years as a broker on the Chicago and Kansas City Boards of Trade, and afterword held posts overseas with Seaboard Overseas Trading Group for the better part of a decade while serving as their Vice President of Trading, and overseeing trading & risk management.
Trent was born and raised in the state of Kansas into a 5th generation farm family. He currently resides in the Isle of Man with his wife Sindy, where he owns and operates Back Forty Ventures advising C-Suite executives and startup founders on finance, technology and acquisitions.
In addition, he is an on-call firefighter with Isle of Man Fire & Rescue.
Board Member
Jill Kelley
Jill Kelley is the Vice President of Legal Affairs for the New York Jets, where she is responsible for oversight of all legal matters. Prior to the Jets, Kelley was General Counsel of PointsBet, where she was the lead counsel for all U.S. sports book operations and commercial development.
She previously served as senior legal counsel for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and their Foxwoods Resort Casino, one of the world’s largest resort casino hotel properties, providing advice on a range of commercial, tax, data privacy and regulatory matters. Kelley began her legal career as an international tax attorney for 10 years, with London law firm Withers LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Kelley currently serves on the United Way of Northern New Jersey’s Women United Leader Council. She was also recognized by NJBIZ magazine as one of their 2021 Leaders in Law.
She previously served as senior legal counsel for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and their Foxwoods Resort Casino, one of the world’s largest resort casino hotel properties, providing advice on a range of commercial, tax, data privacy and regulatory matters. Kelley began her legal career as an international tax attorney for 10 years, with London law firm Withers LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Kelley currently serves on the United Way of Northern New Jersey’s Women United Leader Council. She was also recognized by NJBIZ magazine as one of their 2021 Leaders in Law.
Board Member
Joseph Martin
Joseph Martin is CEO of Kinectify, a leading risk management technology company serving the gaming industry. Joseph spent his career as an anti-money laundering (AML) practitioner in the gaming, banking, and cannabis industries. Prior to founding Kinectify, Joseph led the compliance function at Hypur, a cannabis compliance and payment software company and was involved in launching Kharon, a leading sanctions data and analytics company used by top banks and corporations globally.
Prior to joining the private sector, Joseph served in the US Marine Corps from 2001 to 2009 and was at the US Department of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs during the democratic uprisings in the Middle East. After leaving the State Department, Joseph worked with an organization that focused on diplomatic issues involving the civil war in Syria including drafting congressional bills, developing landmine clearing operations, and other strategic and humanitarian initiatives.
Joseph continues to actively engage with the veteran community and has a specific focus on advancing technology that can effectively tackle the challenges of gambling addiction. He is particularly enthusiastic about creating innovative solutions that promote smooth cooperation between gaming companies and support services, enhancing care for players in need.
Joseph received a B.A. in International Studies from the University of North Texas, an M.A. in Middle East Studies from The George Washington University, and is a graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy. He is proficient in Arabic and has lived in Egypt, Oman, South Africa, Botswana, and Japan. He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) with a designation in Counter-Terrorist Financing and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
Prior to joining the private sector, Joseph served in the US Marine Corps from 2001 to 2009 and was at the US Department of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs during the democratic uprisings in the Middle East. After leaving the State Department, Joseph worked with an organization that focused on diplomatic issues involving the civil war in Syria including drafting congressional bills, developing landmine clearing operations, and other strategic and humanitarian initiatives.
Joseph continues to actively engage with the veteran community and has a specific focus on advancing technology that can effectively tackle the challenges of gambling addiction. He is particularly enthusiastic about creating innovative solutions that promote smooth cooperation between gaming companies and support services, enhancing care for players in need.
Joseph received a B.A. in International Studies from the University of North Texas, an M.A. in Middle East Studies from The George Washington University, and is a graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy. He is proficient in Arabic and has lived in Egypt, Oman, South Africa, Botswana, and Japan. He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) with a designation in Counter-Terrorist Financing and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
Military Research Associates
Senior Military Research Associate
Mark Lucia
Mark joined the Army as a Special Forces trainee in 2013. Over the next nine years, he completed Special Forces training as a medic, was moved to Stuttgart, Germany, and deployed throughout Europe. During this time, Mark became increasingly aware of the mental health burden endemic to the military. This ultimately led to his interest in military mental health
research and desire to study public health.
In 2021, Mark started volunteering with Kindbridge Research Institute to gain research experience and improve his graduate school applications. This volunteer experience became the model for the Military Research Associate Program. He is currently the senior military research associate and a dual MBA/MPH candidate at Johns Hopkins University. Beyond work and school, Mark enjoys skiing, traveling, and skydiving.
Military Research Associate
Tim Boos
Tim is an active-duty sailor with over six years of service as an Aviation Rescue Swimmer Aircrewman. At his operational squadron, Tim conducted counter-narcotic operations in South America, search and rescue operations in the Hawaiian Islands, and counter-piracy operations in the East China Sea. He is currently an Aviation Rescue Swimmer instructor, training the next generation of Naval Rescue Swimmers.
Tim’s career goal is to become a physician by attending the military's prestigious Enlisted to Medical Degree Program. His passion for medicine stems from a background in physical fitness, exercise physiology, and mental health. Tim’s goal is to provide medical expertise to deployed troops and to enhance the physical readiness of our military.
Tim’s acceptance into the Military Research Associate Program (MRAP) offers him the possibility to conduct research and expand his interest in public mental health. The opportunity to learn from expert scientists is valuable in his pursuit to become a physician. MRAP affords the opportunity for Tim to use his experience and knowledge for the betterment of others. His hope is that he can participate in research that will benefit service members and veterans. Outside of work and MRAP, Tim competes as an amateur bodybuilder.
Military Research Associate
Makinna Olmstead
Makinna is a Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) in the United States Navy. The first four years of her military career were spent at the Defense Language Institute studying Russian, and working at the National Security Agency as a multi-disciplined language analyst. She is now in the Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2), a full-time pre-medical
education program for enlisted members of the military. While preparing to apply to medical school, Makinna noted her lack of exposure to research. She feels that research is a foundational skill for anyone pursuing a career in medicine, and desired to gain experience in the field before matriculating to medical school. Makinna learned of the Military Research Associate Program (MRAP) through Service-to-School, a non-profit that offers education counseling to service members and veterans. She immediately felt a connection to KRI’s mission, as she has witnessed peers, friends, and family members struggle with gambling disorder. Makinna has a particular interest in prevention and treatment of gambling disorder,
and hopes to eventually integrate what she learns through her research with MRAP into her clinical practice.
Military Research Associate
Graeme Chesnie
Graeme Chesnie served for eleven years as a U.S. Navy SEAL. During his time in the Navy, he completed several operational deployments overseas and served as an instructor at Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Training Detachment, where he trained SEAL teams on small unit and maritime tactics. Since his transition from the Navy in the summer of 2022, he has been finishing prerequisites for medical school applications.
Graeme felt that a career as a physician would provide professional fulfillment while continuing to serve his community. Graeme's desire to become a physician stems from the legacy established by his father and grandfather, both physicians.
He recognized KRI’s Military Research Associate Program (MRAP) as a pathway to learn the research process from start to finish from an experienced epidemiologist. MRAP offers Graeme the possibility of enhancing his medical school applications while providing a foundational understanding of public health research. Graeme enjoys surfing, being in the outdoors, and spending time with his family.
Graeme felt that a career as a physician would provide professional fulfillment while continuing to serve his community. Graeme's desire to become a physician stems from the legacy established by his father and grandfather, both physicians.
He recognized KRI’s Military Research Associate Program (MRAP) as a pathway to learn the research process from start to finish from an experienced epidemiologist. MRAP offers Graeme the possibility of enhancing his medical school applications while providing a foundational understanding of public health research. Graeme enjoys surfing, being in the outdoors, and spending time with his family.
