Molecular biologist John Medina is a world-renowned brain expert who focuses on the genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders. He has spent most of his professional life as a mental health research consultant for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Medina is an affiliate professor of bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the bestselling author of 10 books, including the “Brain Rules” series.

Eric M. Bailey is president of Bailey Strategic Innovation Group, one of the nation’s fastest-growing communication consulting firms. His clients have included Google, the U.S. Air Force, Zelle, Los Angeles County, the Phoenix Police Department, and many others. Bailey is the bestselling author of “The Cure for Stupidity: Using Brain Science to Explain Irrational Behavior at Work” and holds a master’s in leadership and organizational psychology from St. Louis University. His mission is to Serve Those Who Serve, and is looking forward to serving members of NCSL again.

Kellyanne Conway managed the 2016 Trump-Pence campaign, making her the first woman in U.S. history to successfully run a presidential campaign. She then served as assistant to the president and senior counselor to former President Donald Trump on domestic and global policy issues. A noted pollster, Conway is a Fox News contributor, featured frequently during special coverage of debates, caucuses, primaries, conventions, elections and other major events.

The newest age in the digital revolution has arrived, and states need to prepare. Join preeminent thought leader Jennifer Pahlka as she explores how to harness technology and attract tech talent to reimagine the way government benefits its citizens.

Veteran political strategist Donna Brazile became the first African American woman to serve as the manager of a major party presidential campaign, that of former Vice President Al Gore. Previously, she served as interim chair of the Democratic National Committee and of the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute. Brazile is senior advisor at Purple Strategies, a bestselling author and an award-winning contributor to a variety of media outlets.

Mitch McConnell is the U.S. Senate Republican leader. On Jan. 3, 2023, he became the longest-serving Senate party leader in American history, elected to lead the Republican conference nine times since 2006. From 2015 to 2021, McConnell served as Senate majority leader. He is only the second Kentuckian to ever be majority leader of the U.S. Senate. McConnell previously served in leadership as the majority whip in the 108th and 109th Congresses and as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles. McConnell has been praised in numerous media outlets for his consequential Senate leadership. He’s been called “the most important Republican since Ronald Reagan” and “the most conservative leader of either party in the history of the Senate.” A veteran political commentator titled him as the “most effective floor leader in either party I've ever seen.” On three occasions, Time magazine has named McConnell one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Tom Perez serves as senior advisor and assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Perez brings decades of local, state and federal experience to the White House, having served as a Montgomery County, Md., council member; secretary of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice; director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and secretary of labor under former President Barack Obama. He received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University, his master’s degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.

Michael G. Adams is Kentucky's 86th secretary of state. Previously, he served as deputy general counsel to Gov. Ernie Fletcher before moving to Washington to accept an appointment as counsel to the U.S. deputy attorney general in President George W. Bush's second term. In 2021, Adams created an election reform plan that passed the Kentucky Legislature with near-unanimous support. He holds a law degree from Harvard University.

Seema Agnani serves as executive director of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, a coalition of 100 groups that advocate for and organize in low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Previously, she was lead coordinator of the Fund for New Citizens at The New York Community Trust and a founder and executive director of Chhaya CDC, working in the South Asian community of New York City. 

Ufuk Akcigit is the Arnold C. Harberger Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago. His research centers on economic growth, technological creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, productivity and firm dynamics. He also leads the international team that developed the methodology behind the Small Business Index. Akcigit holds a bachelor's in economics from Koc University and a doctorate in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Sen. John Albers represents Georgia's 56th District, which includes portions of Fulton, Cobb and Cherokee counties. He serves as chairman of the Public Safety Committee, vice chairman of Finance, and subcommittee chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He is also a member of the Rules, Regulated Industries, and Government Oversight committees. Albers served as a fourth-generation firefighter and his sons continue the family legacy as fifth generation first responders. 

Dr. Brian Anderson is the chief executive officer of the Coalition for Health AI, a nonprofit coalition he co-founded in 2021 to develop a set of consensus-driven guidelines and best practices for responsible AI in health. Previously, he was the chief digital health physician at MITRE, where he led research and development efforts across major strategic initiatives in digital health alongside industry partners and the federal government.

Cyrus Anderson has been the deputy sergeant at arms of the Wisconsin Senate for 12 years, overseeing a wide range of responsibilities for the chamber. He also serves as vice president of the National Legislative Services and Security Association.

Frank Arey is the former legal counsel for the Arkansas Legislative Audit, the governor's office and the Department of Human Services. He also served in a temporary capacity on the Arkansas Court of Appeals and the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court. He now has a private law practice. Arey holds a bachelor's in history from Hendrix College and a law degree from the University of Arkansas. 

Kati Austgen is a senior project manager for new reactors at the Nuclear Energy Institute. She leads the NEI New Reactor Regulatory Working Group, which focuses on providing industry coordination and strategic guidance on key generic licensing and regulatory issues for new reactors. Austgen holds a bachelor's and master's in nuclear engineering from Oregon State University and the University of Missouri, respectively.

Jonathan Ball is Utah's legislative fiscal analyst. Previously, he worked at the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the White House Office of Management and Budget. Ball is staff vice-chair of the NCSL Budgets and Revenue Committee and is the former president of the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Officers. He earned a bachelor's in economics from Michigan State University and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University. 

Amanda Ballantyne directs the AFL-CIO Technology Institute and serves as strategic advisor to the AFL-CIO president. She works with unions and worker advocates to educate and engage on innovation policy, workforce development and the impacts of AI and other technology on worker rights, job security, job quality and safety. Ballantyne graduated from Smith College and earned her law degree from the University of Washington.

Rep. Barbara Ballard represents the 44th District of Kansas and serves as House Minority Caucus chair. She is a member of the Special Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disability Waiver, the Special Committee on Mental Health, and the Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight. She holds a bachelor's from Webster College, a Master of Sciences in counseling from Kansas State University and a doctorate in counseling from Kansas State University.

Utah Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard has represented District 20 since 2019, focusing on efficient government, prison reform, energy and education. Previously, she managed an award-winning piano studio for more than 23 years. Ballard holds a bachelor's in piano performance and a Master of Music, both from the University of Utah.

Sarah Bannister serves as the secretary of the Washington State Senate, where she has worked since 2010. She oversees legislative processes, manages Senate staff and ensures the smooth operation of Senate functions. Previously, she was deputy secretary of the Senate and executive assistant to the Senate secretary. Bannister began her legislative career in 2001 as a liaison to Senate members' staff.

Susan Banta is a project director at The Pew Charitable Trusts, leading researchers analyzing infrastructure and public pensions. Previously, she spent more than 20 years advising state and international governments on public finance, tax policy and other revenue issues, and she served as a resident adviser to the ministries of finance in Russia and Egypt. Banta holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Miami University. 

Jordan Baugh currently serves as a senior policy advisor for the majority staff of the Senate Energy and Public Works Committee. Baugh is an experienced legislative policy advisor with a demonstrated history of working effectively in the halls of the Senate, and previously served as a senior policy advisor for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. He has a Master of Arts in political science and government from American University.

Rep. Bob Behning has represented Indiana House District 91 since 1992. He has chaired the House Education Committee and led the passage of a comprehensive education reform package and legislation making Indiana's voucher program the nation's largest. Behning is the assistant vice president and director of the Center for Vibrant Schools at Marian University. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University.

Perry Bennett has been photographing the West Virginia Legislature since 2014, assuming the lead photographer position in 2016. Perry’s passion lies in bringing an artistic flair to documenting the daily work of the Legislature in West Virginia, bringing both transparency and humanity to a process often misunderstood by the public. He was a finalist in 2017 for the U.S. Supreme Court Photographer position.

After being raised on the Southside of Chicago, Representative April Berg moved to the Northwest for her education and was elected the first Black and youngest student body president in the history of Oregon State University. Soon after, she was appointed by the governor of Oregon as a student representative to the Oregon State Board of Higher Education. Today, Rep. Berg is the first Black woman to represent the 44th District of Washington. She currently serves as the Chair of the state’s House Finance Committee.

Rep. Berg previously served on the Edmonds School Board and Everett School Board, and as a planning commissioner for the City of Mill Creek, where she formed partnerships to support existing and future businesses, improve transit connectivity and develop solutions to accommodate growth and encourage more affordable housing choices.

Guy Bergstrom is the lead speechwriter and speech coach for the House Democratic Caucus in Washington state. Previously, he was an award-winning reporter, taught state and national seminars on speechwriting and attended one of the first world conferences of the Professional Speechwriters Association. Bergstrom holds a bachelor’s in journalism from Western Washington University.

Matt Berry is the executive director of the Kentucky Center for Statistics. Previously, he was the chief scholarship and policy officer and director of strategy and impact at Evolve502/55,000 Degrees and was a senior researcher and policy analyst at the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Berry holds a master's in management and organizational behavior from Benedictine University and a doctorate in educational leadership and organizational development from the University of Louisville.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear grew up in Fayette, Franklin and Clark counties and graduated from Henry Clay High School. He is the son of Steve and Jane Beshear, Kentucky’s 61st governor and first lady. Beshear graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was a Dean’s Scholar. After law school, he worked at an international law firm based in Washington, D.C., and it was during that time that he met his wife, Britainy. They have two young children, Will and Lila.

D.J. Bettencourt assumed the role of commissioner after being nominated by Gov. Chris T. Sununu and confirmed by the Executive Council in 2023. He initially joined the department as deputy commissioner in 2021 following a four-year span as Sununu's policy director. Bettencourt previously served eight years in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, including a two-year term as majority leader (2004-2012). He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communications from the University of New Hampshire.

Elizabeth Biser serves as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the first woman to hold the position. She oversees efforts to protect the state’s air, water, land, coastal resources, marine fisheries and public health. In 2023, she was elected president of the Environmental Council of the States, a nonpartisan association of state and territorial environmental agency leaders. 

John Bjornson is director of the North Dakota Legislative Council. A graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, since beginning his career at the Legislative Council in 1988, Bjornson has focused primarily on state and local government law, election law and legislative redistricting. He has served as an officer for various NCSL standing committees and as a member of the NCSL Executive Committee and Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee.

Kentucky Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe is serving her first term representing District 12. Previously, she served on the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council and worked for the Kentucky Community and Technical College, Midway College and the Council of State Governments. Bledsoe earned a bachelor's from Hillsdale College and a master's in international affairs and national security policy from the University of Kentucky.

Brigitte Blom is president and CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. Previously, she was vice chair of the Kentucky Board of Education and worked for universities in Ohio and Kentucky and for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. She holds bachelor's degrees in both economics and international studies from Northern Kentucky University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Kentucky Martin School.

Nicole Booth is Zillow's head of public policy and operations. Previously, she served as executive vice president of public affairs at Proof, vice president of public policy at the Rocket Family of Companies, and CEO and chief marketing officer at QC Ally. Booth serves on the Mortgage Bankers Association MORPAC Steering Committee and is a recipient of the MBA Burton C. Wood Legislative Service Award.

Tom Bottern serves as secretary of the Minnesota Senate, where he has worked since 1997. Previously, he was director of the Office of Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis. His committee assignments include serving as the counsel to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. He holds a bachelor's from Williams College and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Elizabeth Bowen is legal counsel for the Idaho Legislature and the Idaho Legislative Services Office. Previously, she served as a city prosecutor in Caldwell, Idaho, and as a law clerk for the Idaho Industrial Commission. Bowen holds a bachelor's in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University and a law degree from the University of Idaho. 

Utah Sen. Curtis Bramble is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants. He founded the Bramble & Company accounting firm in 1986 and merged it with Gilbert & Stewart after his election to the Senate in 2001. Bramble holds bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University. 

Kentucky Rep. Josh Bray has represented House District 71 since 2021. He is a member of the Judiciary and Health Services committees and is vice-chair of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Bray earned a bachelor's in business administration from Eastern Kentucky University.

Rep. Randy Bridges is serving his third term in the Kentucky General Assembly House of Representatives. He sits on committees for Local Government, Transportation, Natural Resources and Energy, and Public Retirement and Finance. He is also a real estate broker and developer. 

Troy Broussard is the Kentucky state director for AARP, leading advocacy and outreach for more than 425,000 AARP members. Previously, he was senior advisor in the AARP's Office of Community Engagement, where he led its national veterans and military families initiative, and AARP's Louisiana associate state director for advocacy and outreach. Broussard is a U.S. Army veteran of Desert Storm.

Harry Budisidharta serves as the corporate integrity officer and in-house legal counsel for Aurora Mental Health and Recovery. Previously, he was the executive director of the Asian Pacific Development Center, where he worked with government officials and community partners to address health disparities in the refugee and immigrant communities. Budisidharta received his bachelor's in political science from California State University at Los Angeles and his law degree from the University of Colorado.

Cody Bumgardner is an associate professor and chief of pathology informatics at the University of Kentucky, with a joint appointment in the computer science department. He also serves as the director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence and Senior Fellow for Innovation with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Bumgardner focuses on advancing science through artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.  

The New Mexico Legislative Council appointed Raúl Burciaga as the director of the Legislative Council Service (LCS) in 2010. He has primary responsibility for administration of the LCS, the nonpartisan bill drafting and legal research agency of the New Mexico Legislature. Additionally, he is responsible for the control, care, custody and maintenance of the State Capitol, the grounds and other legislative buildings. He joined the LCS in July 2000 after graduating from the University of New Mexico School of Law. He has worked as staff on impeachment investigation committees and legislative ethics committees. He served as the LCS assistant director for drafting services from 2004 until 2010. 

Adair Burgess is the West Virginia Legislature’s director of Legislative Rule-Making Review. She oversees all facets of state rulemaking and ensures state agencies, boards and commissions comply with the state’s Administrative Procedures Act. Burgess also balances the intricate process between state agencies and the Legislature to guarantee certain administrative rules are consistent with the intent of their statutes.

Sarah Calhoun has been called a “revolutionary figure in rural business today” and a “powerhouse of inspiration for women in business.” Her dynamic style and inspiring experiences as an entrepreneur make her a highly sought-after keynote speaker. She has given numerous TEDx talks, dozens of keynote addresses, and has been featured on national television programs such as CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg. As Calhoun has risen to the top echelons of success as a rural entrepreneur, she is paying it forward by actively encouraging and mentoring other women starting their own businesses.

Texas State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione chairs the House Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services, the Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies and the Innovation and Technology Caucus. He also co-chairs the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. Previously, he chaired the Texas Data Privacy Advisory Council, the House Select Committee on Cybersecurity, and the Joint Oversight Committee on Investment in IT Improvement and Modernization Projects.

Joanne Cashman is the director of the IDEA Partnership at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. Previously, she served as George Washington University's director of the Interdisciplinary doctoral program and the director of Special Education, Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education in a Pennsylvania school district. She holds a Doctor of Education from George Washington University.

Lee Cassis has worked for the West Virginia Legislature for more than 20 years and was elected clerk of the Senate in 2018. He is a graduate of West Virginia University and serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries.  

Jonathan Cervas serves as a research associate at the Electoral Innovation Lab, focusing on electoral systems and gerrymandering. Previously, he was the redistricting consultant for the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission, overseeing a bipartisan plan upheld by the state Supreme Court. He also served as special master for New York in 2022 and has consulted on redistricting cases nationwide.

Kent Chandler was chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission until his term ended at the end of June 2024. Previously, he advocated for Kentucky ratepayers as an attorney in the state attorney general’s Office of Rate Intervention. Chandler served as co-vice chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Committee on Electricity and served on NARUC’s board and executive committee.

Joyce Chang is the chair of global research at J.P. Morgan Chase, with expertise in macro, fixed income, emerging markets and strategic research. Previously, she served as global head of research and fixed income research. In 2014, Chang was inducted into the Fixed Income Analyst Society Hall of Fame. She holds a bachelor's from Columbia and a Master of Public Administration from Princeton, where she serves on the external advisory council for the Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance. 

Christine Chen is co-founder and executive director of Asian Pacific Islander American Vote, a nationwide nonpartisan organization that engages, educates and empowers voting in AAPI communities. Previously, she served as national executive director of the Organization of Chinese Americans. Chen was profiled by Newsweek magazine as one of 15 women who will shape America’s new century and was a recent fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.

Alex Chew is a director with NORC at the University of Chicago, where he is championing Amplify AAPI, the largest-ever survey panel of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. Previously, he worked for the market research agency the Harris Poll, leading large-scale consumer, B2B and nonprofit research projects in markets across the world. Chew earned a bachelor’s in political science and history from the University of Michigan.

Brian Clapier is senior vice president for programs at Foster America, which focuses on system transformations that reduce child welfare system involvement. His previous roles include senior director for data advocacy at Casey Family Programs, associate commissioner for research and analysis at New York’s ACS and deputy commissioner at the Philadelphia Department of Human Services. 

Tony Clark is a senior advisor at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, where he advises clients on regulatory and policy matters. He is a former Federal Energy Regulatory commissioner and a North Dakota Public Service commissioner. Previously, he was president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, a labor commissioner in the cabinet of North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer and a former state legislator. He holds undergraduate degrees from North Dakota State University and an MPA from the University of North Dakota.

Josh Cohen serves as head of policy for SWTCH Energy, where he works with property owners, utilities and government stakeholders to implement EV charging solutions. Previously, he was director of policy and market development for Greenlots and the creator and host of the "More Power To You" podcast. Cohen holds a bachelor's in economics from the University of Maryland and a master's in energy policy and climate from Johns Hopkins University.

Daniela Combe is vice president for emerging technology advocacy at IBM, developing and supporting policy positions in technologies such as AI and quantum computing. Previously, she was IBM’s VP and assistant general counsel for intellectual property law. Combe holds a bachelor's in history from Dartmouth College and a law degree from New York University.

Cait Conley serves as senior advisor at CISA, where she works to ensure election security and minimize risks to national electoral infrastructure. Previously, she was the National Security Council's director for counterterrorism and executive director of the Defending Digital Democracy Project. Conley holds a bachelor's from West Point, an MBA from MIT and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

Tony Cotto is public policy counsel at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, advising member companies on legislative and regulatory matters related to auto insurance and risk-based pricing. Previously, he served in the administrations of President George W. Bush and former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and as counsel to the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Cotto holds a bachelor's in political science from Yale and a law degree The George Washington University.

Michael D’Arcy is a director in Fitch’s public finance department, where he is a member of the U.S. states team in the tax-supported ratings group. He has published extensively on the topics of state tax policy changes, U.S. trade policy and its effects on state and local economies and state revenue trends both during and after the pandemic. D'Arcy holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Sen. Michael Dembrow represents Oregon District 23 and chairs the Senate Education Committee. He also serves as co-chair of the NCSL Task Force on Higher Education. Dembrow is a retired English instructor at Portland Community College's Cascade campus in North Portland. 

Georgia Rep. Katie Dempsey has represented House District 13 since 2006. She chairs the Appropriations Human Resources Sub-Committee and co-chairs the House and Senate Joint Study Committee on Violence Against Healthcare Workers. She sits on other committees including Rules; Economic Development and Tourism; Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications; Health and Human Services; and Higher Education. Dempsey is a former chief deputy whip.

Illinois Sen. Don DeWitte has represented District 33 since 2018. Previously, he served as St. Charles mayor and alderman and represented Kane County on the Regional Transportation Authority Board. DeWitte was an Edgar Fellow at the University of Illinois School of Government-Champaign-Urbana in 2019.

Kelly Dittmar is a Rutgers University associate political science professor and director of research at the Center for American Women and Politics at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. She manages national research projects, helps to develop and implement a research agenda and works with the center's programs for women's public leadership, as well as acting as expert media source and commentator. Dittmar earned her B.A. from Aquinas College and her Ph.D. from Rutgers.

Yolanda Dixon is the secretary of the Louisiana State Senate. Previously, she served as the Senate's first assistant secretary, director of the legislative bureau, Senate senior counsel and director of the Senate Judiciary and Government Division. She is the president of the American Society for Legislative Clerks and Secretaries and the recipient of an NCSL Legislative Staff Achievement Award.

Quyen Do serves as deputy research director, redistricting coordinator and research analyst for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. She holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma’s Price College of Business.

Matt Dunne is the founder and executive director of the Center on Rural Innovation, a national nonprofit committed to advancing economic prosperity in rural America through the creation of an inclusive tech economy. Previously, he served 11 years in the Vermont Legislature, led the AmeriCorps VISTA program and started Google’s community affairs division, overseeing its U.S. philanthropy and engagement efforts.

Marianne Eaves is Kentucky's first female master distiller since Prohibition and recently launched her own brand, Forbidden Bourbon. She has been honored by Forbes, Fortune and Wine Enthusiast magazine as one of the industry's rising stars. As a consultant and speaker, Eaves uses her expertise in process and product development to raise the bar for craft producers and help other passionate makers realize their dreams. 

Rep. Steve Elkins is in his third term in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing the city of Bloomington. He previously served as a Bloomington city council member, planning commissioner and Housing and Redevelopment Agency commissioner and has represented several suburban cities on the Metropolitan Council, the Twin Cities regional planning body. Elkins holds an economics degree from the University of California-Berkeley.

Joyce Elliott is an education policy expert and former state legislator. Previously, she served in both the Arkansas House and Senate, where she was vice chair of the Education Committee. Elliott was the Democratic nominee in the 2010 and 2020 for Arkansas's 2nd Congressional District. She holds a graduate degree in English from Ouachita Baptist University. 

Social psychologist Kathleen Ethier is director of the CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Previously, she studied HIV, STDs and unplanned pregnancy prevention among women and adolescents as a researcher at Yale University. Ethier earned her doctorate in social psychology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

Sen. Dawn Euer serves Rhode Island Senate District 13 and chairs the Senate Committee on Judiciary. She is past chair of the Committee on Environment and Agriculture and sits on the Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight. Euer works in private practice and as general counsel for Capital Good Fund.

Doug Farquhar is director of government affairs for the National Environmental Health Association. Previously, he directed NCSL's environmental health program and worked in the Texas House of Representatives for the Natural Resources and Appropriations Committees. Farquhar holds a bachelor's from the University of Texas and a law degree from the University of Denver. 

Baruch Feigenbaum is senior managing director of transportation policy at the Reason Foundation. Previously, he handled transportation issues for U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland. He is a member of the Transportation Research Board Bus Transit Systems Committee and the Intelligent Transportation Systems and Managed Lanes committees. Feigenbaum earned his master's in transportation planning with an engineering focus from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Mindy Finn is the CEO of Citizen Data, the independent data engine for democracy. Previously, Finn served as co-founder and executive director of Stand Up Republic and led pioneering civic engagement programs at Google, Pew, X and Change.org. She is a veteran political campaign operative who held senior roles for three major presidential campaigns and major tech companies before running for office herself in 2016.

Lisa Flynn is the health services administrator for the Washington Department of Corrections, working to create better transitions for incarcerated individuals with health-related service needs. She holds a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies, psychology, criminal justice and emergency management from Eastern Washington University and is a certified diversity executive.

Michelle Fontenot is the clerk of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Previously, she served the House for more than 20 years in various capacities, including director of the Legal Division and senior attorney for the House Criminal Justice Committee. Fontenot is an alumnus of the Legislative Staff Management Institute hosted by the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy, the California State University Sacramento Center for California Studies and the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Jeff Ford is the chief technical/security officer for the Indiana General Assembly and former national chair for the National Association for Legislative Information Technology. Previously, he served as the CIO of Pioneer Financial Services. Ford holds multiple security certifications and speaks internationally on cybersecurity and building strong IT organizations in state and local government.

Kansas Rep. Shannon Francis has served in the Kansas House for 10 years and chairs the Transportation Committee. He also is vice chair of the Joint Legislative Post Audit Committee, a member of House Appropriations, Tax, and Rules committees, and co-chair of NCSL's Alternative Transportation User Fees Foundation Partnership. Francis holds a degree in finance and marketing from Kansas State University. 

Evi Fuelle directs global policy at Credo Al, leading the development of policy strategy and managing partner relationships. Previously, she served as adviser for digital economy policy at the U.S. delegation of the European Union and worked at the Information Technology Industry Council and the U.S. Commerce Department's Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee. Fuelle holds a bachelor's in international affairs and a master's in political science, both from James Madison University.

Juli Fulks was recently named the head women’s basketball coach at Marshall University after finishing her 10th season at Transylvania University, where she guided the team to 10 consecutive winning seasons and seven NCAA tournament bids. Fulks has been named conference Coach of the Year eight times and coached several academic and athletic All-Americans. She holds a master’s in education from Defiance College and a doctorate in leadership studies from the University of the Cumberlands. 

J.J. Gentry has worked for the South Carolina Legislature since 2001, serving with the House Education and Public Works Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee. His current responsibilities include acting as a consultant to legislators and legislative staff, monitoring the ethical conduct of legislators and legislative staff, conducting research, drafting legislation, facilitating hearings and meetings, and handling constituent and media relations. He has served in various NCSL leadership positions during his time.

Alexis Georgeson is vice president of government relations and communications at Redwood Materials. Previously, she was head of corporate and policy communications at Waymo as the company evolved from Google’s Self-Driving Car Project into a commercial business. Georgeson also worked at at Tesla, where she led product launches and announcements beginning with Model S in 2012.

Phil Goldberg is the office managing partner of Shook, Hardy & Bacon in Washington, D.C., and co-chair of its Public Policy Practice Group. With more than 25 years of experience on high stakes and high-profile liability-related public policy, public affairs and public relations issues, he has become a leading voice for common sense liability policies. His practice involves counseling businesses and their trade associations on some of the most cutting edge liability issues of the day.

Bridgette Gomez serves as the chief of the Federal Communications Commission's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Previously, she was the FCC's national community impact manager and worked at Planned Parenthood as a national director of strategic partnerships and director of latinx outreach and engagement. Gomez holds a bachelor's in secondary education and a Master of Education, both from Arizona State University.

Mikell Gonzales is a client manager for LexisNexis State Net. She has collaborated with NCSL for more than a decade to provide its members with access to the Bill Information Service. She also works with Fortune 500 companies, national trade associations, law firms and lobbying firms to devise comprehensive government affairs and compliance solutions that identify and monitor legislative and regulatory activities.

Rep. Roger Goodman is serving his ninth term in the Washington State Legislature, where he chairs the House Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry Committee. His legislative work has focused on reducing drunk driving, domestic violence and sexual assault, and reforming policing practices and criminal sentencing. Goodman holds a bachelor's from Dartmouth, a law degree from The George Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is committed to moving Louisville in a new direction by focusing on key priorities that support the values of Louisville families, including public safety, affordable housing, economic development, universal pre-K for all 3 and 4-year-olds and more. A graduate of Jefferson County Public Schools, the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School, Greenberg was an attorney before helping launch and lead 21c Museum Hotels. He is a former board member of the University of Louisville and is now a co-owner of Ohio Valley Wrestling. Mayor Greenberg has been married to his wife, Rachel, for 24 years and they have two sons, Daniel and Benjamin.

Dr. Darrin Grondel serves as the senior vice president of traffic safety and government relations for the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility and the director of the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving. Previously, he served as the director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, was a captain in the Washington State Patrol and chaired the Governors Highway Safety Association. 

Rob Grunewald is an economist, public policy consultant and former analyst for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. He has authored over 200 articles and reports on topics ranging from regional economic conditions and banking to education and early childhood research. Grunewald holds a bachelor's in economics and religion from St. Olaf College and a master's in applied economics from the University of Minnesota.

Eric Gutshall serves as chief of staff for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education. Previously, he was executive director for the Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority and the State Public School Building Authority. Gutshall holds a B.S. from Central Penn College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Rep. Leesa Hagan has represented Georgia House District 156 since July 2021. She owns a small business consulting firm and is a member of the Greater Vidalia Chamber of Commerce. She also is a former teacher with experience in public, private and home schools. Hagan holds a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Georgia. 

Adam Hall serves as senior policy counsel for the Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus. His responsibilities include working on committees related to state government and law and justice. Hall holds a bachelor's in journalism from Humboldt State University and a law degree from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.

Devin Hartman is director of energy and environmental policy at the R Street Institute. Previously, he served as the president and CEO of the Electricity Consumers Resource Council, the national association of large industrial users of electricity. Hartman also worked for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and various energy and environmental policy nonprofit organizations.

Cristina Harvey is a program manager for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program and the PFAS lead in the office of the deputy assistant Defense secretary. She specializes in new and emerging requirements related to PFAS and develops Defense Department policy and guidance. Previously, Harvey managed the cleanup of some coastal Navy installations and served as a multi-media subject matter expert for environmental compliance and permitting.

Shawn Healy is senior director for policy and advocacy at iCivics, leading its policy and advocacy work through the CivXNow Coalition and overseeing some key civic education campaigns. Previously, he chaired the Illinois Task Force on Civic Education, worked at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation as Democracy Program director and was a high school social studies teacher. Healy holds both a master's and a doctorate in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Samara Heavrin has represented Kentucky's 18th District since November 2019, when she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Kentucky State House of Representatives. She chairs the House Committee on Families and Children and is a member of the Transportation and State Government committees, and the Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services. She is a former co-chair of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity and the 2022 Task Force on Early Childhood Education. 

Myra Hernandez has been the civic education director for the Washington State Senate since 2022. Previously, she served on the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs as an operations and special projects manager and grant manager. Hernandez holds a bachelor's in political science and history from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington.

Chelsea Hill is the director of data at the Center for American Women and Politics, where she manages research about women's political participation and responds to information requests. She worked on the center's #WhoTalks project, which monitored gender disparities in cable television election commentary during the 2016 presidential election. Hill holds a bachelor's in communication arts from Marymount Manhattan College and a master's in women and gender studies from Rutgers University.

Melvette Hill is the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, a nonpartisan agency of the Connecticut General Assembly. She has advised the Governor’s Workforce Council DEI Committee, the Office of Early Childhood and the Connecticut Department of Education, among others. Previously, Hill has parntered with the Administration for Children and Families, the National Parent Leadership Institute, the Aspen Institute and the American Public Human Services Association.

George Hissung Jr. is a program specialist in the Applied Skills Division of the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission. Previously, he was a Seattle police officer and a school resource officer. During his time with the Seattle police, Hissung taught defensive tactics and firearms, worked for the advance training unit's defensive tactics section and started a jujitsu training program.

Kandese Holford leads the Office of Active Transportation and Micromobility at the Maryland Department of Transportation, where she supports the state's safety, sustainability and transportation equity goals. Previously, she worked at the Maryland State Highway Administration as a transportation planner and statewide bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.  Holford holds a bachelor's in American studies from the University of Maryland and a master's in urban and regional planning from Georgetown University. 

Jeff Hoopes is a business professor at the University of North Carolina and the research director of the UNC Tax Center. His research focuses on the intersection of accounting, public economics and finance. He has advised the Congressional Budget Office, consulted for the Internal Revenue Service and co-hosts the "Tax Chats" podcast. Hoopes holds a doctorate in business administration from the University of Michigan. 

Ben Hovland chairs the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Under his leadership in 2020, the EAC administered $825 million in federal grants amid pandemic challenges, updated the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines and coordinated election security efforts. Hovland's career spans 20 years, including pivotal roles in election security funding and as U.S. Senate counsel on rules and administration.

Doug Howard is a senior vice president in the Maximus U.S. Services Segment, where he focuses on work-related and eligibility programs as well as broader health and human services issues. Previous roles include director of the Michigan Family Independence Agency, administrator for the Division of Economic Assistance within the Iowa Department of Human Services and various board, affiliate and committee roles with the American Public Human Services Association.

Susan Howard serves as director of policy and government relations at the nonprofit American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, where she oversees the development and implementation of legislation, regulation, policy and guidance. She also acts as the primary liaison to the organization's Committee on Funding and Finance and supports its Transportation Policy Forum. 

Amy Howe is the former editor of "SCOTUSblog" and the founder of the blog, "Howe on the Court." Previously, she served as counsel in over two dozen merits cases at the U.S. Supreme Court and argued two cases there. She co-taught courses in Supreme Court litigation at Stanford Law School and Harvard Law School. Howe is a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate with a master’s in Arab studies and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Alexandra Hudson is the author of “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.” While serving as a political appointee in the U.S. Department of Education, Hudson became disillusioned by a toxic political environment in Washington, D.C., and left to pursue her passions in human dignity, civility and democracy. She was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine and Newsweek. She earned a master's degree in public policy at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar. 

Beth Huebner is the director of the Arizona State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Watts Endowed Professor of Public Safety. She has spent her career partnering with local agencies on community-led reforms. Her research has been funded by the MacArthur Foundation, the National Institute of Justice, Pew Charitable Trusts, and Arnold Ventures, among others. 

Keith Humphreys is the Esther Ting Memorial Professor in Stanford's psychiatry and behavioral sciences department. He is also a senior research scientist at the VA Health Services Research Center in Palo Alto and was a senior policy advisor in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Obama. Humphreys created and co-directs the Stanford Network on Addiction Policy and leads the Stanford-Lancet Commission on the North American Opioid Crisis.

Ben Husch serves as the director of policy and community affairs for Skydio, the nation's largest drone manufacturer. Previously, he served as the director of NCSL's Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee for more than 10 years and spent more than four years with the National Association of State Budget Officers. Husch holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Wake Forest University and a Master of Public Policy from Rutgers University.

Linda Jacobson is an award-winning senior writer for The 74, covering Congress, policy, courts and early education. Previously, she spent three years at Education Dive, writing and editing news and features about school and district leadership. She began covering schools for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and has worked as a reporter and associate editor at Education Week and as assistant director of the Education Writers Association. 

Ulcca Joshi Hansen has worked in public education for over 25 years, most recently as the chief program officer at Grantmakers for Education. She is the author of the award-winning book, "The Future of Smart: How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help all Young People Thrive," and she has given TED talks and hosts a podcast on that topic. Hansen earned a doctorate in education and philosophy from Oxford University and a law degree from Harvard.

Andrew Justus is a housing policy analyst for the Niskanen Center, where he works on issues such as housing, transportation and infrastructure within the social policy team. Previously, he was an associate attorney at Sullivan & Barros LLP focused on zoning and land use regulations for residential developments. Justus holds a master's in urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Western Michigan University.

State Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan has served in the Maryland Senate since 2015 and is vice chair of the Education, Energy, and Environment and Elections Committee. Previously, she served in the Maryland House of Delegates. Kagan is a nationally recognized expert on "Next Generation 9-1-1," an election reform leader and an advocate for the nonprofit sector.

Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy is NCSL president and the speaker pro temore and dean of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he has served since 1988. He chairs the House Committee on Corporations and has served NCSL as chair, co-chair and vice-chair, Executive Committee member and NCSL Foundation member. Kennedy is a past president of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators. He holds a bachelor's in history and general social studies from Providence College and an MBA from Anna Maria College.

NBA star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the founder and CEO of Change & Impact, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding health care and resources for those who stutter, as he has since childhood. He won an NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship with the University of Kentucky and was the second pick in the 2012 NBA draft. Since launching his nonprofit in 2021, Kidd-Gilchrist has championed the Bipartisan Unified Voices Caucus on Capitol Hill and the first health care bill in Kentucky to cover speech therapy services for stuttering.

Kelly Klundt is a principal fiscal and policy analyst for New Mexico’s Legislative Finance Committee. She is responsible for reviewing and crafting budget recommendations for the state’s Department of Health, Early Childhood Care and Education Department and other state agencies. Klundt holds a bachelor's from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public management from the University of New Mexico. 

Maj. Gen. Haldane (Hal) Lamberton has served as Kentucky’s 53rd adjutant general since his appointment by Gov. Andy Beshear in 2019. He commands the nearly 8,000 military members of the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard and oversees the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Previously, Lamberton commanded the 238th Regiment of the Kentucky National Guard and was deployed five times as an infantryman. 

Jeffery Langer is general counsel of Zoeller Company, a global water and sewage pump manufacturer headquartered in Louisville, KY. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for legal matters related to supply chain integrity, brand enforcement, and custom matters. Prior to his role as general counsel, Dr. Langer held various senior positions both in-house and in private practice. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering & Computer Systems from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a JD from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.

Rep. Mari Leavitt serves as deputy majority whip in the Washington House of Representatives. She is vice chair of the Housing Committee and serves on the Capital Budget Committee, Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs, Postsecondary Education and Workforce and Rules Committee. She holds a bachelor’s and Master of Education from Western Washington University and a doctorate in community college leadership from Oregon State University.

Hawaii Sen. Chris Lee chairs the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, and previously chaired the House committees on the Judiciary and Energy and Environmental Protection. Lee also serves as president of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. He is a graduate of Oregon State University.

Patricia Levesque serves as CEO of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, with more than 25 years of leadership experience in education policy and public service. Previously, she worked in state leadership positions on education policy, including as deputy chief of staff for Gov. Jeb Bush and as a top education advisor for the Florida Legislature. 

Jason Levine leads NHTSA’s Office of Governmental Affairs, Policy, and Strategic Planning, working to ensure strategic alignment on transportation safety priorities. Previously, he was the executive director of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the executive director of the national nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, among other positions. Levine holds a bachelor's in communications from Northwestern University and a law degree from the University of Connecticut.

Kenny Lott is the lead use of force control and defensive tactics instructor for the Northwest region of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Previously, he served as a patrol officer, patrol supervisor and in the U.S. Army Reserve. Lott has a bachelor's in communication from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master's in adult education from Colorado State University.

Karin Mac Donald serves as director of the Statewide Database and the Election Administration Research Center at Berkeley Law. She focuses on local election administration, poll worker training and the implementation of online voter registration systems. Previously, she was a principal consultant with California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Mac Donald holds a doctorate in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Cody Malloy is the information technology manager at North Dakota Legislative Council, supporting computer hardware, applications and systems for legislators and staff. He is involved in the National Association of Legislative Information Technology and has participated in its professional development seminars as a panelist and presenter. Malloy holds a bachelor of science in management information systems and computer science from North Dakota State University.

Janet Mann is the deputy secretary and Medicaid director for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Previously, she served as the director for DHS’s Division of Medical Services during the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency and as DHS’s chief financial officer. Mann was a deputy administrator for Medicaid in Mississippi under Gov. Haley Barbour. 

Connecticut Sen. James Maroney has represented the 14th District since 2018. He co-chairs the General Law Committee and has been named to the inaugural Leadership Council of the Future of Privacy Forum Center for Artificial Intelligence. Previously, he founded and ran an educational consulting business and was a past president and founding member of the Milford Education Foundation. Maroney holds a bachelor's in economics from Yale University.

Victor Matheson is an economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross and one of the nation’s leading experts on the economics of sports. He has written five books and over 100 journal articles or book chapters on sports economics issues, including studies of the economic impact of the Summer and Winter Olympics Games, the World Cup and the Super Bowl. Matheson's many media apearances include NPR’s "All Things Considered," The Washington Post and The New York Times.

Lori Mathis is director of operations and support services for the Maryland General Assembly, overseeing its business departments and administrative units. Previously, she served 14 years as human resources director. Mathis has a master's degree in management and is a certified senior human resource professional. 

John Maulin is an architectural principal at CSHQA, where he has worked since 1988. Previously, he served as vice president of operations and executive vice president, a position he held for 11 years until the company restructured to be 100% employee owned. Maulin earned an architecture degree from the University of Idaho.

Jamia McDonald is a principal in Deloitte's Human Services Transformation practice, leading the national program and policy team serving the government and public services industry. She serves as a leader for Deloitte’s state, local and higher ed AI practice and is paving the way for their use of generative AI. Previously, she was director of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families. McDonald holds a law degree from the University of Illinois.

Sen. Ryan McDougle is the Senate Republican leader in the Virginia General Assembly, where he has served since 2002. Previously, he worked as a prosecutor for the Hanover County Commonwealth Attorney's Office, where he specialized in prosecuting domestic violence and abuse cases and championed the creation of the Hanover County Child Advocate Response Team. McDougle works in private practice and holds a law degree from William & Mary Law School.

Dave McGimpsey co-leads the Dentons U.S. Region Energy practice, focusing on regulatory and transactional matters involving utilities, water and energy. He advises clients on a broad range of issues including business and regulatory strategy, mergers, project certification, rates and financing cases, wholesale contracts, land use and more. McGimpsey also hosts the bimonthly "Water Values" podcast. 

Leigh Anne McKingsley is senior director of disability and justice initiatives at The Arc of the United States and directs its National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability. She worked with The Arc to secure funding to create NCCJD, the first national center in the U.S. to address both victim and defendant issues for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McKingsley also oversaw the development of NCCJD’s signature training, Pathways to Justice.

Andrew McLean is a transportation policy specialist at CDM Smith, providing a variety of financial, policy and transportation advisory services to public transportation agencies and private clients. He served eight years in the Maine House of Representatives, where he chaired the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation. He also chaired NCSL's Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee. McLean holds a law degree from the University of Maine.

Sean McSpaden serves as a principal legislative IT analyst for the Oregon Legislative Fiscal Office, with a wide range of IT, cybersecurity, GIS and AI oversight responsibilities. Previously, he was Oregon’s deputy state chief information officer. McSpaden serves as the committee administrator for Oregon’s Joint Legislative Committee on Information Management and Technology and on NCSL's Taskforce on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy.

Columbia University Professor Thomas Merrill teaches and writes about administrative, constitutional and property law, among other topics. Previously, he was a deputy solicitor general at the U.S. Justice Department and an associate at Sidley & Austin LLP, where he also served as counsel for more than 20 years. Merrill graduated from the University of Chicago Law School and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun and Chief Judge David L. Bazelon of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

Dafna Michaelson Jenet is the senator for Colorado's Senate District 21. Previously, she represented Colorado’s House Districts 30 and 32 for seven years. She has chaired the House Public Health and Human Services Committee and served on the Education and Legislative Audit committees. Michaelson Jenet’s legislative work primarily focuses on youth, particularly foster care youth, mental health and health care access.

Sen. F. Ann Millner is the Utah Senate majority whip and chairs the Senate Ethics Committee. She also serves as the co-chair of the NCSL Task Force on Higher Education. Millner is a Regents Professor of Health Administration and former president at Weber State University. She holds a bachelor's in education from the University of Tennessee, a master's in allied health education and management from Southwest Texas State University and a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University. 

Kade Minchey is the Utah legislative auditor general and director of the Office of the Legislative Auditor General. He has worked on a broad range of performance audits, including favoritism and nepotism within the Department of Corrections and a comprehensive review of the state’s public education system. Minchey holds a bachelor’s from Utah State University, a master’s from the University of Utah and is both a certified internal auditor and a certified fraud examiner.

Kathryn Monet is the chief executive officer of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, where she oversees strategic policy, technical assistance and partnerships to more effectively end veteran homelessness. Previously, she was with the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Monet holds a bachelor's in diplomacy and international relations from Seton Hall University and a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University.

Christian Moriarty is an ethics and law professor at St. Petersburg College, where he teaches applied, medical, business and legal ethics; business law; and the law of photography and art. His research interests include academic integrity, health and higher education policy. Moriarty received both his B.A. in psychology and M.A. in bioethics from the University of South Florida and his law degree from Stetson University College of Law.

Kentucky Rep. Kim Moser has represented House District 64 since 2016 and chairs the Health and Family Services Committee. She is a registered nurse with a specialty in neonatal ICU and flight nursing. 

Nevada Sen. Dina Neal chairs the Revenue Taxation Committee and is a member of the Finance and Education committees. She served 11 years in the Nevada State Assembly and chaired the Revenue Committee for three sessions. Neal also serves as co-chair of NCSL’s SALT Task Force. She holds a bachelor's in political science from Southern University and A&M College and a law degree from the Southern University Law Center. 

Jeff Noel was appointed secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development in June 2022. He is responsible for the development and administration of executive policies designed to support and promote the attraction of new jobs and investment to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, maintenance of existing industries and overall support of economic growth for the state. Noel previously served as Whirlpool’s corporate vice president of communications and public affairs, reporting to the chairman and CEO, a position he held since 2004. He also served as the president of Whirlpool Foundation, which includes oversight of the company’s 20-year relationship with Habitat for Humanity.

Adav Noti is executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, overseeing efforts to protect elections, ensure fair redistricting and promote government ethics. He also advises policymakers on advancing democracy through legislation. Previously, he served in the Office of General Counsel of the Federal Election Commission and as a special assistant U.S. attorney. Noti holds a law degree from New York University and is a member of the bar in New York and Washington, D.C. 

Jennifer Novak was appointed secretary of the Idaho Senate in August 2011 and elected by the Senate on Jan. 9, 2012. Prior to her appointment, she spent four years working for the Senate in various roles and also spent two sessions in the House of Representatives serving as a House page and as an intern. Novak is a member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries and has held numerous leadership positions. She is also one of 16 members nationwide serving a 10-year term on the 2030 Mason’s Manual Commission.

Ellen Nowak is vice president of state and federal affairs for ATC. Previously, she served as a commissioner at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, including three years as chairperson. She also served as secretary of the Department of Administration and acted as chief of staff of legal counsel to the Assembly speaker. She holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a J.D. from Marquette University.

House Speaker David Osborne has served in the Kentucky House of Representatives since 2005, representing the 59th House District, which is comprised of part of Oldham County. Sworn in as speaker in 2019, Osborne previously served as House speaker pro tempore. In addition to his role as a lawmaker, Osborne owns and operates Deerfield Farm, a thoroughbred racing and breeding operation in Prospect and continues to operate his real estate business of 30 years. He and his wife, Lori, live in Prospect. He attended the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and agricultural economics.  

Richard Peterson is a program manager for the Washington Criminal Justice Training Center, where he created the control/defensive tactics training program for Washington's Basic Law Enforcement Academy and Advanced Training Division. Previously, he was a Seattle police officer and a U.S. Army infantry officer. Peterson earned a bachelor’s in workforce education from Southern Illinois University.

Michael J. Petrilli is president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. He is an expert on charter schools, school accountability, evidence-based practices and trends in test scores and other student outcomes. Petrilli helped to create the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement and the Policy Innovators in Education Network.

Erica Phillips is the executive director of the National Association for Family Child Care, a nationwide nonprofit that promotes high-quality child care through home-based early learning programs. Previously, she served as president for All Our Kin, a leading social enterprise in early education, and founded Second Home Early Child Care Centers. Phillips holds an MBA and an master's in education from Stanford University and a bachelor's in industrial engineering from Northwestern University.

Melanie Phillips is a senior researcher at Citizen Data, where she explores the barriers women face when pursuing political office and examines how various dimensions of identity influence the representation of women's interests by elected officials. She has been published in The American Political Science Review and Party Politics, with book chapters and an edited volume by Oxford University Publishing. Phillips holds a doctorate in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Vicki Phillips is CEO of the National Center on Education and the Economy, helping states, districts and schools create high-performing education systems. Previously, she worked as a teacher, superintendent of schools, state chief of basic and higher education, nonprofit CEO, director of K-12 education for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and chief education officer of the National Geographic Society. Phillips holds a doctorate in education from Lincoln University. 

Alex Piquero is a nationally and internationally recognized criminologist with more than 26 years of experience. He is a University of Miami professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology and an Arts and Sciences Distinguished Scholar. Previously, Piquero served as the director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, one of the nation’s 13 federal statistical agencies. 

Gregory Poulos serves as executive director of the Consumer Advocates of the PJM States, a nonprofit that includes state advocate offices in the 13 PJM states and Washington, D.C.  His responsibilities include coordinating the efforts of member offices and monitoring Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings that impact wholesale electric service costs. Poulos earned a bachelor's in political science from Miami University in Ohio and a law degree from Ohio State University.

Stephen Pruitt is president of the Southern Regional Education Board. Previously, he was Kentucky’s state commissioner of education and Georgia's associate state superintendent for assessment and accountability. He also served on the board of the Council of Chief State School Officers and as president of the Council of State Science Supervisors. Pruitt holds a master’s in science education from the University of West Georgia and a doctorate in chemistry education from Auburn University.

Thu Quach is the president of Asian Health Services, a federally qualified health center in Oakland. She is involved in research and policy efforts to promote health equity through language justice and data disaggregation. Previously, she was a research scientist at the Cancer Prevention Institute of California and an epidemiologist at the California Department of Public Health. She holds a Master of Public Health from UCLA and a doctorate in epidemiology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Virginia Sen. Bryce Reeves chairs the Virginia Military and Veterans Caucus. He is a member of four Senate committees, including Commerce & Labor, Finance and Appropriations, General Laws & Technology and Rehabilitation & Social Services. Reeves has worked to provide academic credits for service members and helped create 22,000 jobs for veterans. He served as a U.S. Army airborne ranger and infantry officer, attaining the rank of captain. 

Obie Rutledge serves as secretary of the Oregon State Senate. He began his legislative career as a House reading clerk in 2001 and has served under eight House speakers. Rutledge is a member of the Mason's Manual Commission. 

Carlos Sanchez is president of AT&T Kentucky, where he leads and executes the overall strategic direction of AT&T’s corporate initiatives across the commonwealth. A native of Bogotá, Colombia, Sanchez holds a bachelor's in international relations from Florida International University and an MBA from the McColl School of Business at Queens University.

Javier Sancho Velazquez serves as head of global issues and innovation at the delegation of the European Union to the United States. He has more than 30 years of professional experience in diplomacy, global affairs, new technologies and crisis management. Previously, he was principal administrator of the European Union External Action Service and senior advisor at Skintelligence Investments. 

David Scanlan is an election official serving as the 54th secretary of state of New Hampshire. He assumed office as acting secretary of state upon the resignation of Bill Gardner. He was then elected to a new two-year term as secretary of state by the New Hampshire General Court. He previously served as deputy secretary of state, since 2002, and served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1984 to 2002, becoming majority leader.

Zach Schafer is director of policy and special projects for the EPA’s Office of Water, working to ensure the safety of drinking water and managing wastewater and surface waters. Previously, he served as the founding chief executive officer and executive director at United for Infrastructure and senior policy director for the Council on Competitiveness. Schafer also worked on water and climate policy at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. 

Jim Seward is the director of the Veterans Justice Commission and a U.S. Army colonel. Previously, he was general counsel to South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, leading the development of the state's 2013 criminal justice reforms and historic juvenile system improvements. Seward is a former enlisted combat arms soldier and a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Afghanistan.

Daniel Shapiro is a deployment manager at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, working to scale-up and deploy the manufacturing infrastructure critical to the nation’s energy supply. Previously, he worked for QuantumScape Battery and Fluence Energy to launch the next generation of battery energy storage systems. 

Keith Sharfman co-directs the bankruptcy studies program at St. John's University, where he teaches and writes in the areas of antitrust, bankruptcy, commercial law, corporate finance, corporate reorganization, law and economics, and legal valuation. He received a B.A. in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins and a J.D. from the University of Chicago, where he served as a research assistant to Judge Richard Posner and professor Cass Sunstein.

A disability civil rights lawyer, educator, community activist and progressive New York state assemblymember, Jo Anne Simon has dedicated her life to fighting for equal rights. She won a landmark case that went to the Supreme Court and changed the landscape for disability rights across the country. Simon was elected to the New York State Assembly representing District 52 in 2015. She is chair of the Committee on Ethics and Guidance and the Commission on Legislative Ethics. 

Jean Sinzdak serves as associate director of the Center for American Women and Politics, where she develops strategic initiatives and projects and manages general administrative oversight. She directs the center's Program for Women Public Officials, which aims to increase the impact of women in politics, as well as the programs Ready to Run and Teach a Girl to Lead. Sinzdak holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.

Angela Smith serves as assistant clerk of the Louisiana House. She has worked for the Legislature for 25 years, beginning her tenure with the Legislative Computer Center and transferring to the clerk’s office 13 years ago. 

Sen. Brandon Smith has represented Kentucky District 30 since 2008. Previously, he served in the Kentucky House of Representatives. He chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Energy and owns Mohawk Energy, a mining company based in Lexington.

Dequantay Smith serves as an ambassador for REFORM Louisville,  which focuses on improving youth opportunities and making the justice system work better for youth and adults. He is a 2023 graduate of YouthBuild Louisville, an education, job training and leadership program that provides low-income young adults the chance to realize their potential as active community leaders.

Paul Smith is the clerk of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and a former state representative. He is a past president and current member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries and is vice chair of the 2030 Mason's Manual Commission. Smith also serves on the NCSL Executive Committee. He holds a bachelor's in political science from Norwich University.

Dave Snyder is vice president of international policy and counsel for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. Previously, he served as a regulator with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, a civil litigator for the Pennsylvania attorney general and general counsel of the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce. Snyder holds a bachelor's from Dickinson College and a law degree from George Washington University. 

Luanne Southern serves as executive director of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, created by the Texas Legislature to address gaps in mental health care for children and adolescents. Previously, she served as a senior director for Casey Family Programs and as deputy commissioner for the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

Mary Sowers serves as executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services, which supports national policies for home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Previously, she was the organization's director of special projects and was with Mercer Government Human Services Consulting, providing assistance to state governments on a wide array of Medicaid-related issues. Sowers has also held senior positions with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Katherine Stainken serves as a Technical Leader on the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) electric transportation team, leading work on various grid-related electric vehicle and charging infrastructure issues. She has a wealth of EV policy and research experience, and previously worked as VP of Policy at the Electrification Coalition, where she led and managed federal and state policy and educational work.

Alexis Stangl is the director of the nonpartisan Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis in the Minnesota Senate. She also serves as counsel to several Senate committees, including the Committee on Rules and Administration. Stangl serves on two RELACS committees and is a past officer of the NCSL Redistricting and Elections Committee. She holds a law degree from Hamline University.

Senate President Robert Stivers was elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1997, representing the 25th District, which encompasses Clay, Jackson, Knox, Lee, McCreary, Owsley and Whitley counties. Stivers was elected Senate majority floor leader in 2008, a position he held until being elected Senate president in 2013. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in industrial management and a minor in economics. He earned his law degree from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and is a practicing attorney in Manchester. He is married to Regina Crawford Stivers. They have seven children and 10 grandchildren. 

Frank Strigari is the president of ZHF Consulting. Previously, he served as legal counsel to Ohio Gov. John Kasich and later as chief legal counsel for the Ohio Senate, where he shaped legislation in energy, elections and gaming. Strigari holds a bachelor's from Indiana University and a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Brigadier General (USAF Ret.) David L. Stringer is director of the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility (ATF) in Sandusky, Ohio, a 6,400 acre remote test site 50 miles west of Cleveland. This facility is part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Glenn Research Center. His job entails directing and coordinating activities at the world-class installation to support important research, testing and development for NASA, the Department of Defense and commercial industry to advance space exploration and global aeronautic leadership. He served in the military for 33 years, retiring from the United States Air Force on Jan. 1, 2007, as a brigadier general and he has been serving as the NASA Glenn ATF Director for the last 17 years. 

Nicole Taylor is a senior project manager at Citizen Data, where she oversees research projects aimed at improving democracy and elections and reducing political polarization. Previously, she worked at the Andrew Goodman Foundation and Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, and she has advised colleges and universities on GOTV, voter registration and voter education programming. Taylor holds a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University. 

Tim Taylor is the co-founder and president of America Succeeds, an education advocacy organization that engages business leaders in modernizing education systems to drive equity and opportunity. Previously, he served as the founding president of Colorado Succeeds. Taylor holds a bachelor's in English from Randolph-Macon College and a master's in international relations from The George Washington University.

Catherine Thomas has served in the Connecticut General Assembly for 12 years, the last two as the committee administrator of the nonpartisan Legislative Regulation Review Committee. She received her Master of Public Administration from the University of Connecticut with an additional certificate in public finance and budgeting in 2018.

Aaron Thompson is president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. A first-generation college student, he has written numerous books and peer-reviewed publications on diversity, cultural competence, first-year experience programs, and retention and student success. Thompson holds a bachelor's in political science and sociology from Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s and doctorate in sociology, both from the University of Kentucky. 

Kentucky Rep. James Tipton has served District 53 since 2015. He chairs the House Education Committee and is a member of the State Government and Agriculture committees. His professional experience includes working as a farmer and a realtor. Tipton earned a bachelor of science in agriculture and a master's in vocational education, both from the University of Kentucky. 

Chris Tomlinson is a managing director at Deloitte Consulting and a national leader in its transportation practice. Previously, he served as the executive director for the State Road and Tollway Authority, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority. He is a former board member of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and a past president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association.

Professor John D. Trybus directs Georgetown University's Center for Social Impact Communication. Previously, he was a personal advisor to scientist Jane Goodall, a strategist at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., and a social innovation consultant at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, working on corporate social responsibility projects for brands such as Tiffany & Co., L’Oreal Paris and Coca-Cola. Trybus holds a doctorate in organizational leadership from Concordia University.

Jason Tucker serves as the lead defensive tactics instructor and coordinator for the Seattle Police Department, where he has created and taught multiple classes. He recently obtained his black belt in Brazilian jujitsu and now assists in running the Seattle Police Grappling Club. Tucker holds a bachelor's in psychology from Portland State University.

Herb Tyson serves as director of intergovernmental affairs for the U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. NTIA administers more than $48 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of the administration’s Internet for All initiative to expand high-speed internet access. Tyson holds a bachelor's in economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Public Policy from Tufts University.

Jason A. Tyszko is senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, helping drive the organization's industry-leading workforce and education portfolio. Previously, he served as a policy adviser to Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration and as a member of the executive committee that directed more than $10 billion in investments to aid in the state’s recovery. Tyszko holds a bachelor's from DePaul University and a master's from the University of Chicago. 

Karen Umemoto is a professor of urban planning and Asian American studies at UCLA and is the inaugural Helen and Morgan Chu Endowed Director’s Chair of the Asian American Studies Center. She holds a bachelor's in interdisciplinary social science from San Francisco State University, a master's in Asian American studies from UCLA and a doctorate in urban studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Montana Sen. Barry Usher is a business owner, former law enforcement officer and a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. He co-chairs NCSL's Law and Public Safety Standing Committee, is vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and serves as a majority whip. Previously, Usher served three terms in the Montana House as a majority whip and chair of the Law and Justice Committee and has been a member of NCSL's Executive Committee. 

David Voegele became judge-executive in 2011 and is one of the area's longest-serving county judges. Previously, he represented District 2 as a magistrate in Fiscal Court. Voegele is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and has military service with both the National Guard and Kentucky Air Guard.

David Vorhaus is the director of global elections integrity at Google, shaping strategies supporting elections and enhancing voter education and connectivity. Previously, he served as White House policy development staff on cybersecurity and veterans’ affairs. Vorhaus holds a B.A. in political science and history from the University of Pennsylvania.

Alexa Voytek is a deputy director in the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Office of Energy Programs. She oversees the OEP’s sustainable transportation and alternative fuels programming, and assists with the administration of the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust, the EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Voytek co-chairs the National Association of State Energy Officials’ Transportation Committee.

Vikki Wachino is the founder and executive director of the Health and Reentry Project, an initiative to improve the health of people returning to communities after leaving jails and prisons. Previously, she served as deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

Debbie Walsh is director of the Center for American Women and Politics at the Rutgers University Eagleton Institute of Politics. She oversees leadership and campaign training programs, research around women’s contributions to politics and government, and historical perspectives about women as candidates, public officials and voters. Walsh earned a bachelor's in political science from SUNY Binghamton and a master's in political science from Rutgers, where she was an Eagleton Fellow.

Meredith Ward is the deputy executive director for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. Previously, she worked in government and media affairs in Washington, D.C., and has focused on issues related to cybersecurity, IT acquisition, criminal justice, workforce and state technology. Ward holds a bachelor's in government from Centre College. 

Gary Ware is the founder of Breakthrough Play and the author of "Playful Rebellion: Maximize Workplace Success Through the Power of Play." A corporate facilitator, keynote speaker and certified coach, he has over 14 years experience helping teams unlock creativity, confidence and collaboration through experiential methods that drive peak performance. Ware's client list has included such organizations as SAP, HP, Intuit, GoFundMe and The United Nations Staff College. 

Sheila Warren is the CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation and co-host of the "Money Reimagined" podcast. Previously, she founded the World Economic Forum’s blockchain and digital assets team and was part of its executive leadership. She also served on the TechSoup leadership team and built NGOsource, an online service that helps U.S. foundations reduce costs on cross-border grants. Warren holds a bachelor's in economics and a law degree, both from Harvard. 

Ashli Watts has served as president and CEO for the Kentucky Chamber, the state’s largest business association, since 2019. Previously, she spent seven years as the chamber's senior vice president of public affairs. Watts has led efforts to pass right to work legislation, workers’ compensation reform, unemployment insurance reform and tax reform.

Kansas Rep. Troy Waymaster has served House District 109 for 12 years and has chaired the House Appropriations Committee since 2017. Waymaster holds a bachelor's in political science from the University of Kansas and studied business at Fort Hays State University.

Kentucky Sen. Whitney Westerfield has served as chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary since his election in 2012. Through his private law practice, he works with clients in Western Kentucky and has over five years of prior experience serving as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney. Westerfield has been a member of the Kentucky Bar since 2006 and the Tennessee Bar since 2012.

Caroline Whistler is co-founder and CEO of Third Sector, a national nonprofit helping to unlock possibility, confront inequity and catalyze change. Previously, she worked at Nonprofit Finance Fund Capital Partners, where she helped raise over $320 million for nonprofits. In 2016, the Chronicle of Philanthropy named Whistler to their “40 Under 40” list that recognizes nonprofit and philanthropic leaders who are driving innovative solutions to pressing problems. 

Mark Whitacre is executive director of the t-factor initiative at Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc., which aims to positively impact workplace culture. Previously, he worked as an executive for Fortune 500 companies, including Ralston Purina, Degussa and Archer Daniels Midland. He was the corporate whistleblower responsible for uncovering the ADM price-fixing scandal in the early 1990s that inspired the major motion picture "The Informant," starring Matt Damon.

Patrick White is the research director of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, where he leads NIA’s research as well as analysis-based stakeholder and policymaker engagement and education. Previously, he worked in the commercial nuclear sector as an engineer with MPR Associates. White holds a master's and a doctorate in nuclear engineering from MIT.

Jeffrey Wice is special counsel to the New York State Assembly with over 40 years of experience working in redistricting, voting rights and census law. He also is an adjunct professor/senior fellow at New York Law School, where he directs the New York Census and Redistricting Institute and teaches redistricting and election law. Earlier this year, he was recognized by "City & State NY" as one of New York' legal "trailblazers"  for this pioneering work in promoting the census and fair representation. Wice holds a bachelor’s from The George Washington University and a law degree from the Antioch Law School.

Ross Wiener is a vice president at the Aspen Institute and executive director of Aspen’s Education & Society Program. Previously, he was policy director and then vice president for program and policy at The Education Trust, an advocacy organization focused on advancing equity in public education. He also has served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice. Wiener earned a bachelor's in history from the University of Wisconsin and a law degree from The George Washington University.

Lisa Williams is the associate dean for wellness and well-being at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She also runs a coaching and consulting business to help organizations improve employee engagement and culture through coaching in emotional intelligence and leadership. Williams holds a bachelor's in social work from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Social Science Administration from Case Western Reserve University.

Rep. Carlton Wing is serving his fourth term representing District 70 in the Arkansas House. He chairs the Management Committee and serves on the Education Committee and the Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committee. Wing holds a bachelor's in broadcast communications from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Harding University.

Kentucky Sen. Max Wise serves District 16 and chairs the Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee. He also sits on the Education, Health Services and Families and Children committees. Wise holds a bachelor's in political science and history from Campbellsville University, a master’s in international politics and national security from the University of Kentucky and an advanced graduate certificate in homeland security from Texas A&M. 

Fatima Yousofi leads Pew's state fiscal policy project’s work examining additional long-term liabilities to state and local governments budgets, including the accumulated deferred maintenance of public infrastructure. Her research also explores emerging financial risks to public pension funds and infrastructure from the enduring effects of climate change, and the potential costs of failing infrastructure. Before joining Pew in 2016, Yousofi was a senior policy and compliance analyst for the Virginia Retirement System. Yousofi holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in public policy and public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Helen Brewer works on statewide ballot measures and focuses on a wide array of elections and redistricting topics as part of the Elections and Redistricting Program. Prior to joining NCSL, she worked in policy and litigation capacities for nonpartisan voting rights and redistricting organizations. Brewer has appeared in The Washington Post, has a J.D. from William & Mary, a bachelor’s from the University of Northern Colorado and is a member of the Colorado bar.

Laura Carper supports NCSL’s Criminal and Civil Justice Program and helps to oversee NCSL's 50-State Legislative Databases and the Bill Information Service for members. Previously, Carper worked in administrative support roles for Xerox and RE/MAX Alliance. She earned a bachelor’s in technical journalism from Colorado State University.

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.

Sydne Enlund is NCSL's state outreach manager. She serves as a liaison to a handful of states and partners and supports outreach and engagement with all state legislatures. Previously, Enlund worked as a policy analyst for the Colorado General Assembly and for the Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. She earned a degree in political science from the University of Colorado.

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.

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.

As a policy analyst, Adam Kuckuk’s research focuses on elections and redistricting. 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 of Science in economics and political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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.

Eric Syverson is an NCSL senior policy specialist focusing on state tax policy for the Fiscal Affairs. Previously, he was a senior legislative tax policy analyst for the Colorado Office of the State Auditor, and a policy analyst and researcher at the Education Commission of the States. Syverson holds a bachelor's in political science and history from the University of Kansas and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado.

Barrie Tabin is an NCSL legislative director for State-Federal Affairs. Previously, she was AARP's government affairs director, leading its state level advocacy priorities in the areas of taxation, consumer affairs, financial services, health and housing, among others. She also worked with state and local leaders at both the Government Finance Officers Association and the National League of Cities. Tabin holds a bachelor's in Spanish from Binghamton University and a law degree from the University of Buffalo.

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 more than 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.

Ben Williams covers redistricting, alternative voting systems and partisan composition of legislatures as part of NCSL’s Elections and Redistricting Program. Previously, Williams worked as a public policy researcher at Princeton University. He has appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, has a law degree from William & Mary, a bachelor’s from Tulane University, and is a member of the Colorado bar. 

As a senior policy specialist, Heather Wilson focuses on policies that support child and family well-being. Wilson comes to NCSL with nearly 15 years of experience leading social and economic policy initiatives, program design and multi-stakeholder movements at the national, state and local levels. She is excited to contribute to NCSL's growing body of interdisciplinary work impacting children and families.

Katie Fischer Ziegler is the associate director for member outreach at NCSL. She leads NCSL’s work in engaging legislators and staff in every state and territory through the state liaison system, state coordinator program and general customer service. She previously led NCSL’s Women’s Legislative Network. Ziegler is a graduate of Carleton College and holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado.