- meet the team
The people behind the program.
This program was co-developed by two psychologists with a single vision – that the people leading our digital communities deserve professional training that matches the complexity of the work. Together, we bring 25+ years of experience in research, community leadership, and instructional design.
True to our collaborative values, we also work with a diverse network of industry experts and content specialists who share this vision.
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING
Rachel Kowert, PhD
Rachel Kowert, Ph.D is a research psychologist, award-winning author, and globally recognized leader facilitating global policy and product development with non-profit, governmental, and non-governmental agencies for more than 15 years through data-driven research focused on mental health and trust and safety in digital games. She has spoken about her work to thousands of people across the globe, including the United Nations and the United States Congress. She has published a variety of books and scientific articles relating to the psychology of games and, more recently, the relationship between games and mental health specifically.
DIRECTOR OF LEARNING AND COMMUNITY
Kelli Dunlap, PsyD, M.A.
Dr. Kelli Dunlap, PsyD is a clinical psychologist, game designer, and mental health advocate whose work sits at the intersection of games, psychology, and community care. She is a Researcher-in-Residence at American University and experienced practitioner of mental health programming for the gaming community. Kelli serves as Director of Learning and Community for the DLC Leadership Program, leading the development of the program’s curriculum architecture, module design, and the frameworks that structure how content is taught and applied.
Experts Who Teach With Us
The DLC curriculum is taught by leading practitioners and researchers – the people on the front lines doing the work. They bring frontline experience in community management, trust and safety, player experience, and games research to every course, so what you learn is grounded in the realities of leading digital communities.
Victoria Tran
Author, Mastering Community Management
Matt Soeth
Executive Director, Thriving in Games Group
Maria Tamellini
Co-Founder, GamerSafer
Henry Adams
Intelligence Director, Resolver
Celia Hodent
Founder, EthicalGames.org
FOUNDING PARTNER
Shine a Light Gaming
Shine a Light Gaming is the DLC’s founding partner. A community- and partner-powered initiative, SALG works to make gaming more welcoming, inclusive, and human—uniting players, creators, studios, and advocates to make the ecosystem safer and more equitable for everyone. They support creators, fund inclusive ideas, and train the next generation of community leaders, which is the shared commitment that brought us together.