Arlington Resident Awarded For Political Work

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington resident Christie Getto Young is the 2019 recipient of the National Conference of State Legislature (NCSL) Legislative Staff Achievement Award. Young, who is chief of staff to Massachusetts State Sen. Sal DiDomenico, is the first staff member from the Massachusetts Legislature to receive the award. The national award is given annually to a person who "demonstrates excellence in support of the work of a state legislature and strengthening of legislative institutions," according to a press release.

Young was honored at the 2019 National Conference of State Legislature Summit in Nashville last month.

"Christie truly deserves this award, and I am excited that others around the country got to see what we already know in our office and in the Senate. Christie is a leader who others look up and she is a huge asset for our Legislature. Not only are we fortunate to have her as our Chief of Staff, but the residents of the Commonwealth are the beneficiaries of her passion and dedication to serve," DiDomenico, assistant majority leader of the Massachusetts Senate, said in a statement. "I am very proud of Christie. She has an impressive record of accomplishments throughout her career, and she has built strong relationships both inside and outside the State House."

For nearly a decade, Getto Young has been a leader in the Massachusetts Senate and a key resource for legislative staff, non-profit organizations, and advocates working to pursue policies that support our Commonwealth’s children and families. Christie was nominated by her Massachusetts Senate colleagues in light of her many legislative accomplishments, including writing the 2013 Social Worker Safety Bill and spearheading a multi-year Senate initiative known as Kids First, which took a holistic look at the way in which our Commonwealth can support children and families.

"Everyone, from constituents to her Senate colleagues to the children and families she has advocated for, has a reason to be grateful that Christie has chosen to dedicate her life to public service," Senate President Karen Spilka said in a release. “Christie’s combination of professionalism and kindness make her a natural leader, and she has served as a role model for many staff members in the Senate. On behalf of the entire Massachusetts State Senate, I wish to congratulate Christie Getto Young for this very well deserved award.”

In her nomination letter, Christie’s Senate colleagues wrote, "While Christie’s list of legislative accomplishments are impressive her greatest career achievement is the long-lasting impact and influence that she had on young staffers, especially female staffers. Christie has not only inspired dozens of young people to pursue careers in public policy, she has become a mentor to many in the Massachusetts Legislature."

Christie Getto Young has worked in the Massachusetts Legislature for 11 years. Her career in public service began working as a Research Analyst for the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Human Services from 1993-1995. After pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector, serving as Senior Director of Public Policy at United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Christie returned to the Legislature in 2010 working for Massachusetts Sen. Sal DiDomenico, first as his Budget & Policy Director and eventually becoming his Chief of Staff in 2013.

Getto Young has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kenyon College in Ohio, Masters in Social Work from Boston College, and a Juris Doctor degree from Northeastern University in Boston.