NCSL Staff Directory

In her role as an editor in the Communications Division, Bakara Johnson supports the state-federal staff in the Washington, D.C., office by editing digital communications. Johnson has been a staff member with NCSL for over 15 years and has gained experience from the varying positions of responsibility she has held within the organization, including gaining expertise in her current role. She is committed to meeting the varying needs of NCSL’s members. 

As associate program director of Marketing, Caren Henderson is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of marketing efforts for NCSL. Henderson comes to NCSL with more than 25 years of experience in marketing and communications with a special focus on health and public health. With a strong commitment to public service, she spent the majority of her career working for not-for-profit organizations and is especially proud of her work helping launch Colorado’s health insurance exchange as part of the Affordable Care Act.

Carole Wellmann supports marketing and member outreach in coordinating and executing integrated marketing plans to promote NCSL meetings, events, services and policy deliverables. Wellmann comes to NCSL with technical experience in executing strategic marketing and communication plans. She is dedicated to resolving complex problems in a creative manner.

As web production manager, Kathy Brangoccio manages the content flow and highlights for NCSL’s website, generates analytics on website performance and provides overall assistance and training to web editors. Brangoccio has been with NCSL for 22 years and has gained valuable experience working with the website through its many changes. She takes great pride in working for an organization focused on strengthening the legislative institution.

Katie Fischer Ziegler is the program director for member outreach at NCSL. She leads NCSL’s work in engaging legislators and staff in every state and territory through the state liaison system, state coordinator program and general customer service. She previously led NCSL’s Women’s Legislative Network. Ziegler was raised in southwestern Michigan, is a graduate of Carleton College and received a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Kelley Griffin is a senior editor with NCSL's Communications Division, covering the workings of state legislatures and the issues NCSL is tracking. She also produces the “Across the Aisle” podcast. Previously, Griffin worked at Colorado Public Radio for many years as a reporter, editor and news director. Her work has aired on NPR and “Marketplace Morning Report.” Her awards include a National Edward R. Murrow and two National Headliner awards, one of which was for a story on a day in the life of two Colorado state legislators. 

As a senior editor, Kevin Frazzini edits and writes for NCSL’s State Legislatures News website and State Legislatures magazine. He also helps edit the reports, newsletters and other documents produced by NCSL staff. Frazzini comes to NCSL with more than 25 years of experience editing, writing, researching and producing stories for daily and weekly newspapers and magazines. He earned a master’s in library and information studies from St. Catherine University, and his work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Lesley Kennedy oversees NCSL's Publishing and Digital Content team in the Communications Division. An award-winning journalist, Kennedy comes to the organization with 20-plus years of experience, working as a writer and editor for national and regional newspapers, magazines and websites. She is dedicated to NCSL's bipartisan mission of supporting and strengthening state legislatures. 

As an associate director of communications, Lisa Ryckman oversees the creation, editing and distribution of exceptional content for State Legislatures News and State Legislatures magazine. An award-winning journalist, Ryckman has decades of experience telling great stories for magazines, newspapers and wire services from postings in San Francisco, New York, Moscow and Denver. A self-described politics and policy junkie, Ryckman believes she has found the perfect home at NCSL.

Mark Wolf is a senior editor at NCSL. He edits reports, stories, webpages and other communications and covers live sessions of NCSL’s Legislative Summit, Base Camp and other events. Before joining NCSL in 2012 he wrote for newspapers.