By Josh Resnek
For the first time in the history of the Massachusetts Legislature, a top senate staffer is receiving the coveted Legislative Staff Achievement Award given annually by the NCSL Leadership Staff Professional Association.
Christie Getto-Young, Senator Sal DiDomenico’s chief of staff is receiving this national award.
Senator DiDomenico told the Leader Herald that this award highlights the great work Getto-Young does for his constituents.
“Christie truly deserves this award, and I am excited that others around the country will see what we already know in our office and in the Senate – Christie is a leader whom others look up and she is a huge asset for the Legislature.
“Not only are we fortunate to have her as our Chief of Staff, but the residents of my district and the Commonwealth are the beneficiaries of her passion and dedication to serve,” said Senator DiDomenico.
This national award is given annually by the NCSL Leadership Staff Professional Association and was created to recognize an individual who demonstrates excellence in support of the work of a state legislature and strengthening of legislative institutions.
Ms. Getto Young is the first staff member from the Massachusetts Legislature to ever receive this top national award, and she will be honored at the 2019 National Conference of State Legislature Summit in Nashville, Tennessee on August 4-5, 2019.
I am very proud of Christie, and she is a friend, advisor, trusted colleague and partner whom I really on and have had the honor of working with since our first days in the Senate.
“We look forward to joining her in Nashville as she receives this well deserved recognition for being the best in her field.” DiDomenico said. He said Getto-Young has an impressive record of accomplishments throughout her career, and that she has built strong relationships inside and outside the State House.
“I am thrilled that she will be given this national Legislative Staff Achievement Award because Christie is a kind and compassionate person who is a fierce advocate for those who need our help the most. This is the Christie Getto Young we all know, and I am pleased that others on the national stage get to see this as well.”
For nearly a decade, Ms. Getto Young has been a steadfast 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.
Getto-Young was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and her colleagues in light of her many accomplishments.
From writing legislation to protecting human service workers, promoting education equity, working to repeal devastating policy decisions made decades ago that hurt vulnerable families, and spearheading a multi-year Senate initiative known as Kids First to take a holistic approach to the way our Commonwealth supports children and families. Christie has helped contribute to the well-being of hundreds of residents who will never know her face or name, but they can be sure that there was someone advocating for them and making lives a little better for themselves and their 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,” said Senate President Karen Spilka.
“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 a total of 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 Senator DiDomenico, first as his Budget & Policy Director and eventually becoming his Chief of Staff in 2013.
Ms. 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.