M. Arnita Hannon Christmon
M. Arnita Hannon Christmon
M. Arnita Hannon Christmon works to bring the voices of associations and members to the Environmental Protection Agency’s deliberations as an Intergovernmental Liaison in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations. Christmon has extensive experience working in government and institutions at various scales, providing expertise in government relations and legislative affairs. Her prior experiences include working at the American Petroleum Institute, the Environmental Policy Institute, and the Office of the former Texas Governor Ann Richards.
“I‘m able to stay grounded and balanced because of my environment. It‘s very positive. It‘s very reinforcing, very supportive family-wise, professional-wise, and all my personal projects”- M. Arnita Hannon Christmon, 2023.
M. Arnita Hannon Christmon grew up in a small town in eastern North Carolina, living near nature. Both of her parents were educators, and her mother was elected to be the first woman on the local town council, instilling a sense of passion and purpose in Christmon at a young age. In her family, she and her siblings were raised to make a difference wherever possible. Her father’s background and teaching in government and democracy naturally sparked her interest in public affairs, leading Christmon to attend Howard University for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science and Public Administration, respectively.
Christmon has a vast range of experiences, primarily in government relations. She began her career as a congressional staffer, working her way up and eventually becoming Senior Legislative Assistant for the late Congressman Parren J. Mitchell (M.D.). While in Washington, D. C., she also established her career as a lobbyist and government professional. Her career led to other positions, including serving as the Assistant Director of Government Relations for the American Lung Association, Deputy Director for Energy Conservation at the former Environmental Policy Institute, Policy Director for Energy and Environment in the D.C. Office of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, and Legislative Analyst for the American Petroleum Institute. While working at the American Lung Association, particularly in lobbying Congress to enact laws to prevent people from being exposed to environmental tobacco smoke on airplanes. Eventually, they got the votes needed to pass the bill. Still, Christmon articulates the difficulties of working against an industry with large sums of money that can sway votes, sometimes overnight. From this experience, she learned the value of the yes vote and never took it for granted.
She is an Intergovernmental Liaison at the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations. Her responsibilities include responding as the EPA’s first point of contact to the National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, African American Mayors Association, and National Association of Regional Councils. Moreover, Christmon collaborates with county officials, utilities, port authorities, and government councils to promote effective community partnerships and facilitate engagement with EPA goals. She works closely with the EPA’s regional offices and affiliated communities to ensure resources are provided to effectively address community issues.
Her experiences came with many challenges and successes. The fast-paced nature of working in government and associated institutes and associations took up a lot of Christmon’s time, even when she was “off the clock.” She highlights that working in government can be challenging but rewarding when hard work, often around the clock, pays off. For Christmon, seeing her efforts come to fruition and working with communities helps her remain in the field despite its difficulties. Moreover, in her role, she helps communities access resources they need but may not have the technical capacity to apply for, as many grant applications can be confusing, especially for diverse communities with limited resources and governmental knowledge.
Christmon notes the opportunities that “just opened up” to her even when she wasn’t expecting it. This led her to many experiences, each where she learned new things and met new people who would help her throughout her career. Her mother had the most significant influence on her life, serving as a role model in personal and professional capacities. When her mother was campaigning for town council, Christmon witnessed women’s challenges in public service. Christmon continues to advocate for women in government and the environment and recently spoke on a panel for environmental women.
Another key figure in her life was Betsy Dumpkins at the American Petroleum Institute. Dumpkins had a way of connecting the dots and getting her points across, which helped Christmon articulate needs in a high-pressure environment. Congressman Mitchell, whom she worked for after graduating, also served as a role model, as he allowed her to work on The Hill fresh out of school when he could have hired someone with more experience. Christmon values the time she spent working for Former Texas Governor Ann Richards, where she witnessed her legacy and personality that helped her serve her state. Governor Richards also taught Christmon to “[not] give that Washington, D.C. talk” and to say what you need upfront “like [your] grandma would understand it” (2023).
Christmon seeks to help others in the way she’s been helped throughout her career. She mentors people within the EPA but has also had mentees in other agencies. Her husband, who works at Georgetown University in the Provost’s Office, has also connected students with Christmon for mentorship opportunities. While mentoring is critical, she highlights that mentorship also exists within a person’s spirit, one that seeks to help people wherever and whenever possible.
Christmon discusses the importance of having things outside of work to keep you grounded. For her, this means working on her fitness as a certified fitness professional with eleven certifications and counting. It also manifests in spending time with her faith, where she holds seminars and panels for the community. Moreover, she highlights that you should “always create a path forward and never put a period behind a meeting,” meaning always follow up with people to keep relationships and doors open (2023). She advises young professionals never to discount any associations that do not always appear related to the environment. She uses her time with the American Lung Association as an example of the impact you can have when accepting new opportunities that might not initially clearly align with your interests. Christmon particularly highlights the importance of having other women in the field to look up to and relate to as they face unique challenges and biases.
Survey and interviews conducted by Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative staff. 2022-2023. Yale University-School of the Environment. New Haven, Connecticut.