Christopher A. Etienne
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in grant writing, policy creation and analysis, research, governmental affairs. Proven track record in legislative analysis and stakeholder engagement, leveraging strong writing and research skills to drive policy initiatives. Adept at fostering collaborative relationships, resulting in enhanced funding opportunities and impactful community programs.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Fellow, Institute of Politics
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
08.2023 - 08.2024
- Add Job details here
- Add
- Add
- Add
- Add
Director of Community & Governmental Affairs
NOLA Public Schools
New Orleans, LA
06.2022 - 05.2023
- Served as the lead staff liaison on governmental relationships from the district, including coordinating work with the chairperson of the OPSB’s Legal and Legislative Committee Chair
- Managed major relationships and contracts with city, state, and federal elected officials, stakeholders, and lobbyist
- Managed OPSB and NOLA-PS U.S
- Census Redistricting Process for the year 2022-2023
- Drafted and analyzed legislation (H.B
- 78) that seeks to provide relative to school facilities preservation and systemwide needs programs in certain school districts
Legislative Aide
Office of U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes
Washington, DC
06.2021 - 12.2021
- Briefed the Member on civil rights, racial equity, HBCUs, defense, budget policy and offered legislative recommendations for House floor votes
- Drafted and analyzed legislation for small business, trade, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
- Represented the Member in legislative meetings with national, state, local stakeholders, and advocacy organizations
- Authored responses to national stakeholders regarding issues of social security, commerce, and financial services
- Connected constituents to existing Federal grant programs through the American Rescue Plan, and Build Back Better Act
- Developed strong relationships with funding agencies and partners, resulting in increased collaboration opportunities
Legislative Aide
Office of U.S. Representative Cedric L. Richmond
Washington, DC
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Advised the Member on military, defense, and veterans’ policy and coordinated weekly vote recommendations for House floor votes, including managing and recommending votes for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
- Drafted and analyzed legislation for civil rights, racial equity, HBCUs, social security, labor, H.R
- 3617 - POSTAL Act, and H.R.3618- Student Disciplinary Fairness Act
- Conducted meetings with lobbyists, interest groups, state agencies, and municipal representatives to understand their issue areas and learn how those areas impacted the Second Congressional District of Louisiana
- Authored responses to executive agencies, congressional offices, and constituents regarding issues of higher education, USPS, SNAP, and TANF
- Supervised and trained junior legislative staffers and legislative fellows to develop and implement the Member’s priorities
- Served as lead staffer working with constituents to do research to see if there is a Federal grant that would fund their proposed project
- Served as lead staffer in compiling and regular updates on grant guides with information about Federal grants and related funding opportunities of interest to constituents working on a broad range of issues
- Assisted colleagues in researching disaster recovery grants for areas still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Katrina through the Department of Homeland Security’s FEMA
- Developed and maintained a comprehensive database of grant opportunities and their status
- Served as a liaison to all funding agencies and organizations, developing collaborative relationships with grant funding representatives
Staff Assistant
Office of U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu
Washington, DC
10.2014 - 01.2015
- Coordinated stakeholder meetings and discussed the Senator’s position on key legislation and legislative policy
- Authored responses to constituents regarding healthcare, immigration, and the Keystone XL Pipeline
- Assembled Senator’s correspondence binders for all bills, mark-ups, and amendments to provide the Senator with the best information available to make informed decisions
- Connected organizations with a grant or program manager from Federal agencies and other Federal funding opportunities
- Helped organizations narrow down their search for Federal grants and answer questions
Education
Master of Arts - Political Science, Concentration in Black Politics, Minor in Public Policy
Howard University
Washington, DC05.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
05.2010
Skills
- Microsoft Office Professional
- Word
- Outlook
- Excel
- Power Point
- Adobe Acrobat Professional
- Internet based research
- Intranet Quorum (IQ)
- LexisNexis
- Legislative Research
Skills Publications
High proficiency in Microsoft Office Professional (Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point), Adobe Acrobat Professional, Internet based research, Intranet Quorum (IQ), LexisNexis, Legislative Research and Writing, Christopher A. Etienne: The Buoyancy of Hope, 02/02/25, The Buffalo Criterion Newspaper, https://www.thebuffalocriterion.com/blog-1-2/the-buoyancy-of-hope, Christopher A. Etienne: The Odyssey of Democracy, 10/06/24, The Buffalo Criterion Newspaper, https://www.thebuffalocriterion.com/blog-1-2/twrb3ewexeldc9wq56pwlrs3djm7c3, Christopher A. Etienne: A More Perfect Union, 06/21/24, The Buffalo Criterion Newspaper, https://www.thebuffalocriterion.com/blog-1-2/c72btb5mqnqbjj5o56efnfekm0ufa6, Christopher Etienne: The State of Louisiana Political Leadership, 04/08/24, The Atlanta Voice, https://theatlantavoice.com/louisiana-republican-leadership-change/, Christopher Etienne: LA Should Examine State of Political Leadership, 04/15/24, University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), The Hawkeye Newspaper, https://ulmhawkeyeonline.com/33723/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-la-should-examine-state-of-political-leadership/, UAPB Alumnus Works on Legislation to Expand Funding for Scholarships at 1890 HBCUs, 10/11/21, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), The UAPB News, https://uapbnews.wordpress.com/2021/10/11/uapb-alumnus-works-on-legislation-to-expand-funding-for-scholarships-at-1890-hbcus/
Leadership Experience
- Fellow, Institute of Politics at Loyola University New Orleans
- Participant, New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI)
Activities
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated – Member
- Howard University Graduate Political Science Association
- Howard University Graduate Student Assembly
- President of UAPB Political Science Club
- UAPB Student Government Association Election Board
- UAPB How to Be a Gentleman Mentorship Program
- HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church, D.C.
- Speaker at Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr. Middle School (MD) Career Day
- UAPB Southern California Alumni Scholarship Award
- City of Pine Bluff, AR Boys & Girls Club Volunteer
- Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges
- Pi Sigma Alpha, Nat’l Political Science Honor Society
- Nat’l Conference of Black Political Scientists
- Hoops for Youth Foundation, DC
Timeline
Fellow, Institute of Politics
Loyola University New Orleans
08.2023 - 08.2024
Director of Community & Governmental Affairs
NOLA Public Schools
06.2022 - 05.2023
Legislative Aide
Office of U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes
06.2021 - 12.2021
Legislative Aide
Office of U.S. Representative Cedric L. Richmond
01.2015 - 01.2021
Staff Assistant
Office of U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu
10.2014 - 01.2015
Master of Arts - Political Science, Concentration in Black Politics, Minor in Public Policy
Howard University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Similar Profiles
Olivia SpagnoloOlivia Spagnolo
Clinical Student at Criminal Defense Clinic, The Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic & Center for Social Justice, Loyola University New Orleans College of LawClinical Student at Criminal Defense Clinic, The Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic & Center for Social Justice, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Frazier WoodsFrazier Woods
Staff Counselor at Loyola University-New OrleansStaff Counselor at Loyola University-New Orleans
Charlize KennonCharlize Kennon
Learning Commons Work Study Student at Loyola University New OrleansLearning Commons Work Study Student at Loyola University New Orleans