National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) executive director Heather Maurer has resigned from her role less than a year into the job, just days after the US organisation’s director of programmes left her post early.
Maurer, who joined the gambling-related harm non-profit organisation in January, will stay in postion until 16 October to help with the transition, with the NCPG already searching for her replacement.
Maurer’s departure comes days after director of programmes Jaime Costello announced she was leaving the Washington-based NCPG earlier than anticipated, though “not by my choice,” she wrote on LinkedIn.
Costello was scheduled to leave the organisation on 9 October after resigning earlier in the year, but noted in the post she had been asked to leave ahead of the agreed date.
The leadership changes come as the fallout continues from the NCPG accepting Kalshi as a member and receiving a $2m donation from the prediction market platform.
The move led to the Michigan Gaming Control Board and Nevada Council on Problem Gambling withdrawing from the NCPG in July and August, respectively, before the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling and Ohio Casino Control Commission followed suit in September.
Maurer joined the NCPG in 2025 from the National Association of Nurse Practitioners, where she served as its CEO for six years.
Prior to that, she spent six-and-a-half years with the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education as its executive director between November 2013 and April 2020.
Previous experience includes senior business development manager at Washington-based law firm Wiley Rein, director of marketing at financial services company Capstone Advisory Group and executive director at legal practice Nixon Peabody.
In a statement sent to journalist Dustin Gouker and published in The Closing Line newsletter, NCPG board president Derek Longmeier insisted the leadership upheaval would not affect the day-to-day running of the operation.
“With the dedicated commitment and depth of experience of the NCPG staff, we assure all of our advocacy, programmes and services will carry on seamlessly during the search process,” the statement read.
“The need for NCPG’s work to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm has never been greater, and we will continue to build on the strength of our partnerships with affiliates, members and stakeholders to meet the challenges ahead.”
Costello’s departure came the same day Longmeier outlined the organisation’s stance on gambling-related harm associated with event contracts.
“Prediction markets have moved rapidly to become a mainstream product used by millions of Americans,” he said.
“Regardless of how prediction markets are currently legally defined [in the US], NCPG believes it is functionally gambling and can expose consumers to many of the same risks and harms associated with traditional gambling.
“NCPG is neutral on whether prediction markets should be legal. We are not neutral on the need to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm wherever it occurs.”
Arnold Ash is EGR’s executive recruitment partner. It supports ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.
The post NCPG executive director resigns after less than a year first appeared on EGR Intel.
Heather Maure’s departure as leader of the US gambling-related harm non-profit comes days after director of programmes Jaime Costello leaves post early amid concerns over Kalshi investment
The post NCPG executive director resigns after less than a year first appeared on EGR Intel.