Jay Gideon Jay Gideon is a policy analyst with the Civil and Criminal Justice team, and researches topics related to adult criminal justice such as law enforcement and sentencing. Prior to joining the NCSL, Gideon spent time in Eswatini, Africa, for... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Civil and Criminal Justice
Lauren Gendill As a policy analyst, Lauren Gendill researches K-12 education policy topics such as school meals, special education, technology and digital learning. Prior to joining NCSL, Gendill was a legislative intern at the Colorado General Assembly. She... Research & Policy, Education
Philene Taormina Philene Taormina leads a team of energy analysts who specialize in state and federal energy policy and legislative, statutory and regulatory research. The team delivers energy policy expertise and nonpartisan research and analysis for state... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Environment, Energy & Transportation
Sarah Chavez Sarah Chavez is a dedicated program coordinator with NCSL's Energy team. With more than a decade of experience in hospitality, event planning and administration support, she has honed her skills while working for esteemed law firms and... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Environment, Energy & Transportation
Jennifer Kraft In her role, Jennifer Kraft supports the Environment, Energy and Transportation Program as a program coordinator. She comes to NCSL with more than 20 years of experience as an administrative assistant and program manager. She attended Colorado... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Environment, Energy & Transportation
Helen Brewer 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... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Elections & Redistricting
Jessica Guarino As a policy analyst, Jessica Guarino supports the Civil and Criminal Justice Program by researching a variety of topics related to criminal records, human trafficking, firearms policy and questions relating to the Constitution. Prior to joining... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Civil and Criminal Justice
Brenna Nelson In her role as a program coordinator, Brenna Nelson supports NCSL's Children and Families Program. Prior to joining NCSL, Nelson worked at nonprofit organizations and interned with the Colorado General Assembly while studying human... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Children & Families
Shannon Kolman In her role as a senior policy specialist in the Health Program, Shannon Kolman serves as a subject matter expert on public health topics. She has more than 25 years of experience working in the fields of public health and community health.... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Health
Alyssa Vigil Alyssa Vigil is a program coordinator at NCSL, where she supports the Criminal and Civil Justice Program. Previously, Vigil worked in administrative support and research roles for the University of Colorado Boulder. She earned a... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Civil and Criminal Justice
Kendall Speer As a policy specialist, Kendall Speer supports the Health Program’s maternal and child health, children’s oral health and women’s reproductive health portfolio. Prior to joining NCSL, Speer was a student at Boston University... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Health
Leila Reynolds As a program coordinator, Leila Reynolds supports the Education team. Prior to joining NCSL, Reynolds spent four years working for the state of Utah, first at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel and then at the... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Education
Beatrice O’Connor As a policy specialist, Beatrice O’Connor supports the Environment, Energy and Transportation Program by conducting environmental and water policy research. Prior to joining NCSL, O’Connor worked as a research assistant, legal... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Environment, Energy & Transportation
Adam Kuckuk 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... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Elections & Redistricting
Katie King As a policy analyst in the Elections and Redistricting Program, Katie King researches election administration, statewide ballot measures, redistricting and campaign finance. Prior to her time at NCSL, King worked in U.S. Sen. Michael... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Elections & Redistricting
Hannah Ditzenberger As a policy associate, Hannah Ditzenberger researches a variety of issues related to children, youth and families. Ditzenberger comes to NCSL with experience in local government, child maltreatment prevention and communications. She studied... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Children & Families
Austin Igleheart Austin Igleheart serves as a project manager with NCSL’s Energy, Environment, and Transportation Program. He conducts policy research relating to electric and alternative fuel vehicles, energy security and resilience and energy... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Environment, Energy & Transportation
Rory Regan As associate director for grants and contracts, Rory Regan is responsible for collaborating on and supporting fundraising through grants and contracts across NCSL. Prior to joining NCSL, Regan worked at the City and County of Denver as a federal... Staff Directory, Research & Policy
Betsy Smith Betsy Smith’s research focuses on energy and environmental policy issues. She comes to NCSL with experience in research examining policy topics involving natural disasters, public lands and environmental justice. Prior to NCSL,... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Environment, Energy & Transportation
Flora Fouladi As a policy associate, Flora Fouladi works on public health issues with a focus on children and youth with special health care needs, adolescent health and child nutrition. Prior to joining NCSL, Fouladi worked as a legislative assistant for the... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Health
Laurel Stiegler As senior program coordinator for the Fiscal Affairs Program, Laurel Stiegler coordinates invitations, follow up and logistics for invitational meetings sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts. She has 30-plus years of experience in the... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Fiscal
Heather Hanna Heather Hanna serves as an associate director in the Children and Families Program. She leads work focused on child and family well-being including economic security and mobility, housing and homelessness, food security and child support and... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Children & Families
Cameron Rifkin Cameron Rifkin is a policy associate covering topics related to housing and homelessness, economic mobility, child support and family law. Prior to joining NCSL in July 2021, he earned a master’s degree in social work and worked in diverse... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Children & Families
Annie Miller As a policy associate, Annie Miller supports the Employment, Labor and Retirement Program by contributing to research on workforce development and occupational licensing policy. Prior to joining NCSL, Miller served the City and County of... Staff Directory, Research & Policy, Employment, Labor & Retirement