Nicole Banister
Policy Analyst
Homeland Security & Public Safety Division
Nicole Banister serves as a policy analyst for the NGA’s Center for Best Practices Homeland Security & Public Safety division. Nicole provides support to Governors’ offices and state officials on laws and policies related to criminal justice reform, pretrial justice, opioids, traffic safety, juvenile justice and other public safety issues.
Prior to joining NGA in 2019, Nicole worked as a policy counsel for a federal criminal justice policy organization focusing on pretrial justice, indigent defense and policing issues. Previously, Nicole provided technical assistance and support to the Ugandan judiciary in developing and implementing pretrial justice reform programs.
Nicole received her law degree from Pepperdine University and bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Taylor University. She is licensed to practice law in the state of California.
Nicole proudly hails from Indianapolis.