NCSL Staff Directory

As an associate director in the Criminal and Civil Justice Program, Anne Teigen oversees work related to juvenile justice, criminal records, human trafficking, civil justice and firearms policy. Teigen has nearly 20 years of policy experience with NCSL and is a licensed attorney in the state of Colorado. She educates and informs state legislators and staff by providing testimony, convening meetings and writing reports on a wide array of criminal and civil justice policy areas.

As a policy associate, Annie Miller supports the Employment, Labor and Retirement Program by contributing to research on workforce development and occupational licensing policy. Prior to joining NCSL, Miller served the City and County of Denver in the Department of Housing Stability. Miller recently obtained a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies. She enjoys conducting bipartisan research to support and uphold the integrity of state legislatures.

As an associate director in the Education Program, Ashley Wallace leads NCSL’s work on afterschool, summer learning, student mental health, social and emotional learning, and other whole child education policy topics. Before joining NCSL in 2008, Wallace was a legislative director for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and later worked in federal relations for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Save the Children. She has degrees in international studies and diplomacy and foreign affairs from Miami University.

Austin Igleheart serves as a project manager with NCSL’s Energy, Environment, and Transportation Program. He conducts policy research relating to electric and alternative fuel vehicles, energy security and resilience and energy storage, providing quality, unbiased information to state legislators and legislative staff across the United States. He also serves as NCSL’s staff liaison for the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute. With NCSL since 2021, Igleheart has spent most of his career in state and local policy, and prior to NCSL worked for a nonpartisan organization advocating for county governments. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and sociology and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in environmental policy and management at the University of Denver.

As federal affairs advisor, Austin Reid oversees NCSL’s federal education policy work, which includes staffing the NCSL Standing Committee on Education and representing NCSL’s education interests before Congress and the administration. Prior to joining NCSL, Reid worked in the U.S. Senate and at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching. He began his career as a high school teacher and has an Ed.M. in education policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

As a policy specialist in NCSL’s Education Program, Autumn Rivera focuses on policy issues related to afterschool, summer learning, LGBTQ+ students, whole child learning and school climate. Rivera comes to NCSL with experience working in after-school and summer learning programs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in justice systems at Truman State University and a master’s degree in applied human rights from the University of York.

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 a policy specialist, Beatrice O’Connor supports the Environment, Energy and Transportation Program by conducting environmental and water policy research. Prior to joining NCSL, O’Connor worked as a research assistant, legal assistant and legislative aide. She holds a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Studies in environmental, natural resources and energy law from Lewis and Clark Law School.

As a legislative director, Ben Nasta leads legislative advocacy and engagement strategies for NCSL’s Transportation and Natural Resources, Energy and Environment committees. Nasta comes to NCSL with nearly 10 years of experience in Washington, D.C., working on natural resources, public lands and waters, infrastructure and much more. Passionate about working to improve the lives of people across the country, he is dedicated to strengthening the ties between state legislatures, agencies and their federal counterparts. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ithaca College.

Betsy Smith’s research focuses on energy and environmental policy issues. She comes to NCSL with experience in research examining policy topics involving natural disasters, public lands and environmental justice. Prior to NCSL, Smith attended the University of Michigan and Montana State University and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs.

In her role as a policy analyst on NCSL’s Elections and Redistricting Program, Brenna Nelson researches election administration topics. Prior to joining NCSL, Nelson worked at nonprofit organizations and interned with the Colorado General Assembly while studying human development and family relations at the University of Colorado Denver.

Brian Wanko focuses on the federal budget process, public finance, income taxes, pensions, post-employment benefits and federal and state revenues and taxes. He comes to NCSL with experience in federal administration and congressional oversight, budget and appropriations processes, and as a liaison between stakeholders and government agencies. Prior to joining NCSL, he worked for the U.S. House of Representatives House Foreign Affairs Committee and for two membership coalitions: the Council of the Americas and InterAction. He earned a master’s degree from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He believes in NCSL’s mission to ensure state legislatures have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.