NCSL Staff Directory

Molly Widoff supports the Health Program as a policy analyst focused on overdose, suicide, injury prevention and infectious diseases. She comes to NCSL with experience in policy research and programming around mental health and substance use. Widoff recently earned a degree in public health from Tulane University.

As accounting manager, Nang Loong oversees the accounts payable and payroll responsibilities, including travel reimbursement, vendor payment processing, procurement and travel and expense card program administration, payroll processing, year-end compliance for payable and payroll, fixed assets, bank reconciliation, general accounting and financial reporting. She has been with NCSL since March 2005 and offers more than a decade of experience in accounting and finance. She received her B.A. in accounting from Pittsburg State University in Kansas and remains current with technology and trends in her area of expertise.

Nicole Ezeh supports the Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Standing Committee as an associate legislative director. Previously, Ezeh supported human trafficking victim services providers in the state of Maryland at its federally recognized state coalition against sexual assault. She earned her law degree at George Mason University and her B.A. in government and politics at the University of Maryland.

Patrick Lyons is a policy specialist focused on prekindergarten to third grade education policy. Patrick facilitates the State Policy and Research in Early Education workgroup and focuses on issues such as school readiness, the early childhood workforce, prekindergarten access and quality, and early literacy and math. Prior to joining NCSL, Patrick was a consultant with Public Sector Consultants in Lansing, Mich., where he worked on a broad range of policy topics but specialized in work for the Michigan Department of Education and Office of Great Start. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University and his master’s degree in public policy from the University of Virginia Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Patrick grew up in metro Detroit and Traverse City.

As a design specialist, Rachel Macias supports the associate director of design in designing reports, event collateral and social media graphics. Prior to joining NCSL, Macias worked for the bipartisan nonprofit Education Commission of the States as a graphic designer. She takes great pride in designing for nonprofits to create policy-based solutions. 

As a policy analyst in the Health Program, Razan Amira Badr focuses on policy issues relating to health care workforce and scope of practice of providers. She served as a legislative assistant at the Louisiana House of Representatives prior to joining NCSL, where she worked with state legislators, legislative staff, advocates, and constituents on several issues. Badr earned her bachelor’s in biology at Loyola University New Orleans.

In her role, Samantha Scotti focuses on state policy issues relating to health care access, costs and coverage. She has over six years of experience working with state legislators, legislative staff and other partners on a variety of health topics, developing tools, publications and collaborative meetings. Prior to joining NCSL, she worked as legislative staff at the Colorado General Assembly and has a dual degree in political science and international studies from Colorado State University. 

In her role as revenue accountant, Samona Skidmore acts as the primary function liaison for Fonteva financial reporting, revenue collections and process improvements. Previously, Skidmore spent over 10 years in the financial and retirement services industry, providing leadership in regulatory, accounting and financial planning support. After obtaining her master’s degree in accounting from Regis University in 2020, she joined NCSL to engage in work that impacts the people in her community.

As a legislative specialist, Sanam Hooshidary works on federal budget process, federal and state revenues and taxes, banking, financial technology and digital currencies, internet and technology, as well as consumer and financial services. Prior to joining NCSL, Hooshidary worked for the United States House of Representatives and the California State Senate. She earned her master’s degree in political science with an emphasis in California politics from California State University, Sacramento and a bachelor’s degree in English literature and political science from the University of San Francisco.

Sarah Altshuler is a senior program coordinator supporting the State Services Division, as well as the Leaders and International programs. Previously, Altshuler was lead intern with U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet’s Denver office, where she oversaw and trained new interns, supported Colorado constituents and supported full-time staff with constituent advocacy work. She studied political science, philosophy, and communication at the University of Colorado-Boulder and graduated summa cum laude. 

Sarah Brown is the director of the Criminal and Civil Justice Program (CCJ) at NCSL. As the director, she oversees all of NCSL’s criminal and civil justice work, with specific expertise in juvenile justice. Brown has been with NCSL for 20 years working on informing state legislatures on criminal and civil justice issues across the nation. Prior to joining NCSL, Brown worked for five years as a legislative assistant to a United States Senator in Washington, D.C. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver College of Law. Brown has been admitted to practice law in Colorado.

Sarah Chavez is a dedicated program coordinator with NCSL's Energy team. With more than a decade of experience in hospitality, event planning and administration support, she has honed her skills while working for esteemed law firms and nonprofit organizations in Denver and New York City. Chavez is deeply committed to NCSL's mission, finding fulfillment in contributing to an organization dedicated to enhancing the legislative institution through education and research.