NCSL Staff Directory

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.

Adam Kuckuk focuses on campaign finance, ethics and redistricting as a part of the Elections and Redistricting Program. He also researches the intersection of artificial intelligence and elections. Prior to joining NCSL, Kuckuk was a campaign manager for a Wisconsin State Assembly race and has a background in working for several organizations focused on furthering bipartisanship. He earned his bachelor’s in economics and political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As a policy analyst in the Elections and Redistricting Program, Katie King researches election administration, statewide ballot measures, redistricting and campaign finance. Prior to her time at NCSL, King worked in U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet’s office as a constituent advocate. She attended the University of Colorado Boulder and received her bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology. 

As a program principal in the Center for Legislative Strengthening, Will Clark works on issues related to legislative information technology and legislative oversight. Clark comes to NCSL with 10 years of experience working in state government, including two years with the Colorado General Assembly. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Oregon and a master's in public policy from Oregon State 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.

Melissa Zenk supports NCSL’s meetings department as a meetings coordinator. Zenk comes to NCSL with prior experience in wedding coordination and multifamily property management. She earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in event management.  

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.

As a policy associate, Flora Fouladi works on the Health Program's maternal and child health portfolio with a focus on infant, child and adolescent health. Prior to joining NCSL, Fouladi worked as a legislative assistant for the Minnesota House of Representatives. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Macalester College.

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.

Heather Hanna serves as an associate director in the Children and Families Program. She leads work focused on child and family well-being including economic security and mobility, housing and homelessness, food security and child support and family law. Before joining NCSL, she served as deputy director for the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance, the membership association for Colorado's Early Childhood Councils. Hanna earned her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida. 

Cameron Rifkin is a policy specialist covering topics related to housing and homelessness, economic mobility, child support and family law. Prior to joining NCSL in July 2021, he earned a master’s degree in social work and worked in diverse roles for various nonprofit organizations focused on housing, environmental justice, food security and juvenile justice. Rifkin is dedicated to systemic changes through policy and community empowerment.

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 director of NCSL’s Education Program, Michelle Exstrom oversees the organization’s work on state education policy. Exstrom has over 25 years of experience working with state legislators at NCSL and in Colorado’s Office of Legislative Legal Services. She has national expertise in policies to build effective K-12 education systems that improve outcomes for all students.

As NCSL’s senior federal affairs counsel, Susan Parnas Frederick advocates for states before Congress and the administration on criminal and civil justice, cybersecurity, elections and immigration enforcement issues. Parnas Frederick has over 20 years of experience at NCSL and previously served as a local government attorney and prosecutor in Herndon, Va. She received her bachelor’s from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and her law degree from the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C.

Mark Quiner is an experienced group facilitator with over 40 years of experience. He currently serves as director of NCSL’s Center for Ethics in Government, whose mission is to restore trust and confidence in representative government by promoting responsible behavior in legislatures and educating the public on the importance of the legislative process. Previously, Quiner was the acting director of the Wyoming Legislative Service Office, where he served for 26 years. Following law school at the University of Wyoming, he worked for Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Stuart Brown, then served as the state’s assistant attorney general. Quiner is the father of one grown son and two grandsons.

As an associate director in NCSL’s Health Program, Kelly Hughes oversees staff and projects related to health access, costs and coverage issues. Hughes brings nearly two decades of professional experience in federal and state government, nonprofit, research and health care settings. A graduate of the CDC’s Public Health Prevention Service fellowship, she earned her master’s degree in public health from Emory University and her bachelor’s from Virginia Tech. 

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.

Wade Fickler directs NCSL’s Children and Families Program, which covers child welfare, child support, early care and education, economic security, family law, housing, homelessness and hunger. His previous experience includes policy and communications positions with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Children’s Institute and the City Club of Portland. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine, Fickler helped foster civic engagement and voter participation in the fledgling post-Soviet democracy.