NCSL Staff Directory

Andrea Jimenez works on tax policy as a member of the fiscal affairs program. Previously, Jimenez spent time at the Connecticut Legislature as an intern during the 2020 legislative session. She is dedicated to advancing NCSL’s mission to strengthen state legislatures.

As a project manager in NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs Program, Emily Maher focuses on state budgets, intergovernmental relations and economic development policy. She also staffs NCSL’s Labor and Economic Development Committee. Prior to joining NCSL, Maher served as a nonpartisan policy analyst for the city of Philadelphia where she worked on retirement and economic development policy. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science and international service from American University, where she is also currently pursuing a master’s in public administration and policy.

Erica MacKellar works primarily on issues around state fiscal conditions and the state budget process for NCSL. She also staffs the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices (NALFO), a NCSL professional staff association. She joined NCSL's Fiscal Affairs Program in 2011, and holds a bachelor's degree in government from Bowdoin College and a master's of public policy from the University of Denver. 

Jackson Brainerd is a program principal in NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs Program overseeing state tax, economic development and gambling policy. He also staffs NCSL’s Task Force on State and Local Taxation and its Budgets and Revenue Standing Committee. Before joining NCSL in 2014, Brainerd earned a bachelor’s in political science from Colorado College and served in Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Office of Correspondence. His written work and research on state fiscal policy has been cited by Bloomberg, Politico, Reuters, NPR and The Wall St. Journal, among other publications.

As senior program coordinator for the Fiscal Affairs Program, Laurel Stiegler coordinates invitations, follow up and logistics for invitational meetings sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts. She has 30-plus years of experience in the fields of business, customer service, finance and health care administrative support. She earned a master's degree in communications with a specialization in intercultural communication from Regis University in Denver.

As a policy analyst in NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs Program, Leo Garcia researches fiscal policy and economic development. Previously, Garcia worked as a legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives. He earned his bachelor’s in international relations and his master’s degree in international political economy.

Mandy Rafool is the director of the Fiscal Affairs Program, where she oversees the products and services NCSL delivers on state budgets, state taxes, economic development and financial services. Rafool has more than 25 years of experience at NCSL, where she has produced numerous state policy research reports and regularly provides information on state fiscal matters to legislatures, trade associations and members of the press. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver.