COGEL Connect events are FREE for all COGEL members. To secure your spot, please sign in before completing your registration.
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7/22/2026
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When:
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Wednesday, July 22, 2026
3:00 - 4:00 pm EDT | 12:00 - 1:00 pm PDT
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Where:
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Zoom
United States
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Contact:
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aellison@cogel.org
(916) 329-1890
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« Go to Upcoming Event List
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Promoting and Expanding Transparency in Your Lobbying Data
As a lobbying regulator, your mission is not only to ensure compliance with lobbying laws and regulations, but also to present compliance data to the public in meaningful ways. Join us to explore the innovative strategies that industry
leaders are using to revolutionize lobbying transparency by transforming raw lobbying data into user-friendly, intuitive platforms. From groundbreaking public-facing platforms to cost-effective visual reports, this session aims to provide
practical tools and ideas on how you can successfully relay your lobbying data to a broader audience.
Please note: There will not be breakout rooms. Attendees may ask questions through the Q & A chat.
Panelists & Moderator
Nick Rowlands
Senior Policy Analyst, Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists, British Columbia
Nick Rowlands is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists for British Columbia. In this role he provides expert advice to both internal staff and external parties and oversees education and outreach programs for lobbyists, interest groups, and the public. He leads research on emerging policy issues related to the Lobbyists Transparency Act in BC and lobbying legislation in other jurisdictions. Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Washington and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining the ORL in 2021, Nick worked as a law librarian with Courthouse Libraries BC where he assisted legal professionals and members of the public navigate court processes and access reliable legal information.
Nolan Watson
Executive and Legislative Affairs Specialist, Office of the Idaho Secretary of State
Nolan has been with the Idaho Secretary of State’s office since August 2023. In his current role under Secretary McGrane, he serves as the office’s lobbyist specialist, coordinating with lobbyists, organizations, and firms to ensure compliance with all state disclosure requirements. In his role, Nolan collaborated with stakeholders and vendors to develop Idaho’s Lobbyist Registration and Reporting system, which launched in December 2024. The new system streamlined and strengthened transparency in Idaho politics, allowing the public to easily access lobbying data. Nolan is eager to promote the accessibility of Idaho’s lobbying data and other services offered by the Secretary’s office. He graduated from Boise State University with a BA in Political Science, with an emphasis on international relations, and worked on Capitol Hill in an international relations capacity.
Isabelle Bélanger
Strategic Executive Assistant, Lobbyisme, Québec
Isabelle Bélanger serves as Strategic Executive Assistant at Lobbyisme Québec. Since joining the institution in 2018, she has been deeply involved in several strategic initiatives, including the project to review the Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Act and the development of sustainable partnerships for the organization. From September 2017 to June 2018, she had the privilege of completing the Jean-Charles-Bonenfant Foundation parliamentary internship at the Québec National Assembly, during which she deepened her knowledge of parliamentarism and Québec politics. Isabelle Bélanger holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences Education from the Université du Québec à Montréal and a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Policy from Université Laval.
Emily K. DeSantis (Moderator)
Chief of Staff and Director of External Affairs, NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
Emily DeSantis serves as the Chief of Staff and Director of External Affairs at the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. A seasoned civil service professional with more than 25 years of experience, she has led high-performing
communications teams and advanced key government priorities. Before being named Chief of Staff, Ms. DeSantis served as Director of Public Affairs at the Commission. Prior to her work with the Commission, she held the position of Assistant
Commissioner for Public Affairs at the State Education Department, acted in a similar capacity at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, worked for the NYS Governor’s Office as Deputy Director of Communications for the Environment,
and was Deputy Press Secretary for the State Comptroller. Ms. DeSantis holds a master’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Massachusetts.
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