Holly Lyons, who is retiring after nearly 40 years at the Iowa Legislative Services Agency, won the prestigious Steven D. Gold Award, presented annually by NCSL to a person who has made a significant contribution to public financial management.

Jessica Geary is the executive director of Alaska’s Legislative Affairs Agency.

Maddy Oritt is a senior economist for the Utah Legislature.

Effective communication requires a good strategy: Determine your audience, decide on the message and who will deliver it, and come up with a goal.

Shoshana Silver is an attorney for the House Democratic Office in the Florida Legislature.

Molly Petersen is the publications officer for the Montana Legislative Services Division.