USLege · Best in Government Affairs · New York
New York · 2026
Top Staffers of the Year
7 New York honorees named Top Staffers of the Year in 2026, selected by their peers.
Recognizes a legislative staffer whose expertise, judgment, and hustle power a legislator’s agenda from behind the scenes in Albany. These are the staffers who turn draft ideas into law and make the entire operation smarter, faster, and sharper.
The 2026 honorees are selected and listed below. Nominations closed on June 26, 2026, and every honoree was chosen entirely by peer nomination and advisory board review. There is never a cost to nominate or be featured.
The Honor
What every winner receives.
A feature profile on the 2026 Best in Government Affairs webpage
A custom award badge and digital toolkit to share the win
Exclusive promotion to the USLege network of 12,000+ policy professionals and media partners
Notification as part of a public recognition campaign, with selections based on the strength and volume of nominations
2026 Honorees
The 2026 Top Staffers of the Year.
These are the 7 New York honorees named Top Staffers of the Year in the 2026 USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards. Select any honoree to read their full profile, or see the full 47-honoree slate.
Godfre Bayalama
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs New York State Department of Financial Services
Evan Schneider
Committee Director & Legislative Director, Senate Insurance Committee Office of State Senator Jamaal Bailey, NYS Senate
Mark Kissinger
Senior Policy Advisor Office of Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Chair, NYS Assembly Health Committee
Mary-Anne Dandles
Clerk of the New York State Assembly & Clerk of the Assembly Rules Committee NYS Assembly
Darci Lindgren
Legislative Director Office of Assemblymember Charles D. Lavine, NYS Assembly
Shalyn Ranellone
Chief of Staff & Legislative Counsel; Committee Clerk, Assembly Governmental Operations Committee Office of Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, NYS AssemblyQuestions
About Top Staffers of the Year in New York.
Who are the top legislative staffers in New York?
The 2026 New York Top Staffers of the Year honorees are listed on this page, chosen through peer nomination and reviewed by the New York advisory board. Select any honoree to read their profile.
When are the 2026 New York Top Staffers of the Year honorees recognized?
The 2026 honorees are selected and published on this page. Nominations closed on June 26, 2026, and every honoree is recognized on stage at Lark Hall in Albany on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
How are winners selected?
Winners are chosen entirely through peer nominations. Final selections are based on the strength and volume of nominations received. There is no cost to nominate or be featured.
Every Category
Explore the other New York categories.
The 2026 USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards will recognize New York honorees across eight categories.