NCSL Staff Directory

Amanda (Mandy) Zoch researches election administration, statewide ballot measures and the initiative process for NCSL’s Elections and Redistricting Program. Zoch comes to NCSL with experience in local campaigns, communications and education. She earned a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University and a B.A. from Carleton College.

As a policy associate, Andrew Smalley works on postsecondary education topics and legislative tracking at NCSL. Prior to joining NCSL, he was a legislative intern for three years at the Colorado General Assembly, working with legislators and a lobbying firm. He received his MPP and a BA in political science and public policy from the University of Denver. 

Judy Castaneda is the senior program coordinator for the NCSL Foundation. Castaneda served as a program and administrative coordinator before joining NCSL and studied at Seattle University, where she earned a bachelor’s in psychology. 

As an accounting technician, Layothe Thammasene focuses on ensuring cash receipts are recorded quickly and accurately, while also strengthening the relationships between NCSL and its staff and members. Thammasene has proudly dedicated 15 years of service to the accounting department, where a background in financial research and analysis has helped her succeed. She is dedicated to following through on tasks and addressing the many challenges she encounters in her role.

As program principal in NCSL’s Criminal and Civil Justice Program, Amber Widgery has national expertise in front-end criminal justice policy, including law enforcement and pretrial release. Widgery has nearly 10 years of experience at NCSL, tracking and analyzing legislation, testifying for legislative bodies and writing on important criminal justice legislative trends and hot topics. Widgery received her bachelor’s in political science and history from Colorado State University, holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado Law School and is a member of the Colorado bar.

As a program principal in NCSL’s Employment, Labor and Retirement Program, Anna Petrini focuses on public employee pensions and retirement security issues. Before joining NCSL in 2013, she worked on various political organizing initiatives in Virginia and Colorado and covered a wide range of financial services issues, including high-cost credit, student loan debt and insurance at the Consumer Federation of America in Washington, D.C. Petrini received both her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Virginia.

As a program principal in NCSL’s Criminal and Civil Justice Program, Amanda Essex focuses on corrections and sentencing, community supervision, corrections budgets, criminal justice data and immigration. Essex also staffs the Task Force on Immigration and the States and has nearly nine years of experience with NCSL. She earned a bachelor’s in political science from Colorado State University, holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and is a member of the Colorado bar.

Lesley Kennedy oversees NCSL's Publishing and Digital Content team in the Communications Division. An award-winning journalist, Kennedy comes to the organization with 20-plus years of experience, working as a writer and editor for national and regional newspapers, magazines and websites. She is dedicated to NCSL's bipartisan mission of supporting and strengthening state legislatures. 

As human resources coordinator, Michelle Kelton assists with day-to-day operations in the HR department. Kelton has contributed to the NCSL HR team since 2015, developing her ever-expanding role as a human resources professional. Dedicated to the HR team, she enjoys working with others to make NCSL a great place to work.

John Mahoney manages NCSL’s Institute for International Cooperation. Prior to this role, he served NCSL’s Center for Legislative Strengthening as a senior policy specialist. With significant international experience, Mahoney relishes the opportunity to build enduring relationships between NCSL members and their counterparts abroad. 

In her role as an associate director in the Criminal and Civil Justice Program, Alison Lawrence oversees projects on policing, pretrial release, community supervision, jails, corrections budgets and criminal justice data. Lawrence also staffs the Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Standing Committee and has 14 years of experience with NCSL. She earned her masters of public administration from the University of Colorado. 

Taylor Dybdahl is the meetings specialist for NCSL, helping to plan and provide on-site assistance for meetings of all sizes. Previously, she was a program coordinator in NCSL’s State Services Division, and before that she worked at the Colorado General Assembly for three legislative sessions. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and nonprofit organization.

As a policy specialist Alison May focuses on early care and learning topics including home visiting and paid family leave. May has more than a decade of experience implementing and coordinating NCSL’s Early Childhood Fellows program. She is dedicated to supporting legislators and legislative staff as they consider policy options connected to child and family well-being. 

As the state outreach manager, Sydne Enlund works as a liaison to a handful of states and partners with NCSL’s communications team on outreach and engagement with all state legislatures. Previously, Enlund worked for the Colorado General Assembly as a policy analyst and for the Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. She truly enjoys working with legislators and legislative staff across the country to achieve NCSL’s mission.

Angela Andrews is the senior professional development partner with NCSL’s Legislative Training Institute, where she designs and delivers soft skill trainings to legislators and staff. Previously, she oversaw the Legislative Staff Management Institute (LSMI), the Legislative Staff Certificate Program and other professional development programs. She has worked in or for legislatures for almost 20 years. Before joining NCSL in 2008, Andrews was a legislative aide in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate. She received her master’s in public administration from Suffolk University in Boston and earned a training and facilitation certificate from the Association for Talent Development.

Edward Green focuses on the registration of NCSL meetings and webinars. He comes to NCSL with more than 10 years of experience working in accounting and registration at other nonprofit associations. He enjoys working for an organization committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Alise Garcia supports NCSL’s Health Program as a program coordinator. Garcia has over 25 years of experience with NCSL in numerous areas. She is dedicated to providing superior customer service and meeting coordination to the organization’s staff and constituents.

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.