NCSL Staff Directory

Natalie Wood serves as vice president of policy and research at NCSL. She previously directed NCSL’s Center for Legislative Strengthening, providing expertise and leading research on legislative institutional issues, including internal legislative operations, management and human resources policies, legislative workplace culture, and critical issues impacting representative democracy in the states. She's worked with state legislatures for over 20 years, with prior experience in legislative management and organization, ethics and lobbying policy, and professional development and training for NCSL's members. Wood holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame and a master's degree in political science, politics and policy from the University of Colorado Denver.

Diana Noel is the chief development officer of the NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures. She has over 20 years of experience working with state and federal policymakers encouraging strategic collaboration and building relationships. Before coming to NCSL as Vice President of Research and Policy in 2022, Diana worked in government affairs for AARP for nearly a decade and was a member of NCSL's Foundation including time as a member of the Foundation Board. She also worked in the NCSL Washington, D.C. office for a number of years focusing on workforce and health issues. Diana earned her Master of Public Administration degree from Bowie State University and Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland at College Park.

As chief financial officer, Alex Alavi oversees the financial integrity, success and growth of NCSL. Alavi has extensive experience in financial planning and analysis, internal controls, investments and enterprise risk management. Alavi earned Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in accountancy from Northern Illinois University and is a certified public accountant and certified association executive.

As chief operations officer, Victor Vialpando-Nuñez leads the day-to-day operations for NCSL, including direct oversight of the Human Resources, Information Technology, Meetings and Building and Facilities teams. Vialpando-Nuñez comes to NCSL with more than 20 years of experience leading organizations, providing outstanding member services, organizational efficiency, and driving innovation and transformation. Previously, Vialpando-Nuñez was the dean of academic affairs for the School of Professional Studies and Sciences at the Community College of Aurora. In addition to serving nearly 10 years at the CCA, Vialpando-Nuñez served for over seven years in various leadership positions with Colorado Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement (MESA), Habit for Humanity of Colorado, and the University of Colorado Denver. Vialpando-Nuñez has an MBA and a bachelor’s in civil engineering from CU Denver. 

Bryan Thomas serves as the chief communications officer, guiding NCSL’s brand, media, website, design, content and member outreach work alongside the fabulous communications team. Thomas joined NCSL after leading communications teams at a series of organizations including the City of Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity International, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate. He holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University, and a bachelor’s degree in international political economy and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of California, Berkeley. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Eva, an epidemiologist at the CDC, and their daughter, Annie.

Stacy Householder directs NCSL’s leadership, international and caucus programs. She has 15-plus years of experience working with and in state legislatures, starting with her service in the Wisconsin Senate. Householder is dedicated to strengthening legislative institutions and enjoys working every day with legislative leaders and staff from across the country. 

As vice president of policy and research, Kate Blackman oversees NCSL’s state policy work on criminal and civil justice, education, employment and retirement, health and human services. Prior to being hired as a vice president, Blackman spent nearly eight years in NCSL’s Health Program, most recently as director of the program. A proud Tar Heel, she holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she later earned her master of social work and master of public health.

Molly Ramsdell is director of NCSL’s Washington, D.C., office and oversees the State-Federal Affairs Division. She joined NCSL in 1996 and has served as staff liaison for a number of NCSL’s Standing Committees, including Transportation, Budgets and Revenue, Environment and the Executive Committee Task Force on Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. She has led NCSL’s advocacy activities before Congress and the administration on issues including unfunded mandate reform, REAL ID and the recent coronavirus response. Ramsdell holds a master’s degree in public health from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Storey serves as the Chief Executive Officer of NCSL, proudly leading an outstanding team dedicated to the legislative institution. He started at NCSL in the 1980s, holding nine different positions in the organization before being selected as CEO in 2019. He was born and raised in western North Carolina before moving to Colorado to work at NCSL where he now lives with his awesome family in Wheat Ridge, just outside of Denver.

Arturo Pérez is vice president of the NCSL State Services Division, which includes the Center for Ethics in Government, Fiscal Affairs Program, Legislative Training Institute and Legislative Staff Services Program. In his role as a member of the NCSL Executive Management Team, he assists in developing and monitoring the organization’s budget, participating in the hiring process for new staff within the division, overseeing the work of managers within the division, advising/supporting managers on issues pertaining to their programs, participating in EMT activities and decision making, providing objective advice to the executive director on matters pertaining to the division and organization and conducting performance reviews of division program managers. An NCSL staff member since 1990, he has bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master’s degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

As a policy specialist in the Health Program, Erin Glossop leads issues related to commercial insurance coverage and supports the prescription drug portfolio. Prior to joining NCSL, Glossop worked for five years in the Ohio General Assembly and in state government relations. She is passionate about aiding in the development of public policy and supporting legislators and staff.

As a policy analyst for NCSL’s Financial Services, Technology and Communications Program, Jackson Littlewood focuses on broadband and other telecommunications issues. Littlewood also spent time as an intern for NCSL's Energy Program for eight months and worked for a Fort Collins-based energy nonprofit before that. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science, philosophy, economics and sociology from Trinity College Dublin and a master's degree in global politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

As grants manager, Kirstin Howley supports the fundraising of the policy and research teams. Howley joined NCSL in 2025 with experience managing grants for nonprofit organizations. She earned a bachelor’s degree in French language and international affairs and a master’s degree in global and european politics, specializing in international security policy.

As a program principal in the Financial Services, Technology and Communications Program at the National Conference of State Legislatures, Chelsea Canada works on privacy and technology topics, including artificial intelligence. Prior to joining NCSL, Canada worked on different public policy topics for the Colorado General Assembly, the New Mexico Legislature and non-profits in Colorado and New Mexico. She earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a master’s in public policy from the University of Denver..

Lexi Wilson is a Program Coordinator for the Health Program at NCSL. She has nearly 10 years of experience in event coordination and community engagement in the greater Denver area. She is dedicated to bringing communities together by creating and coordinating enriching events, that run smoothly and successfully. She is eager to bring her skills to NCSL to support their mission, and members.

As a program coordinator, Stephanie McCormick supports the Children and Families team in the pursuit of NCSL’s mission. Prior to joining NCSL, McCormick spent time in education and as a coordinator in public engagement, communications and management consulting. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Sewanee: The University of the South and her master’s degree in philosophy from Colorado State University.

In her role as a program coordinator, Grace Minix supports NCSL's Elections and Redistricting Program. Prior to joining NCSL, Minix worked in administrative support roles in both corporate and non-profit sectors. She earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Northwestern University.

Eric Mayo focuses on child care and other early care and education issues. Prior to joining NCSL, Mayo worked as a policy manager for a social services agency in Illinois and spent time as staff for a New York State Senator. He earned his bachelors degree from Northwestern University and a Master in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.