Career
Christianna Barnhart has served as ESA’s Senior Vice President for Government Affairs since 2023. A seasoned policy expert, Christianna has more than 15 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining ESA, Christianna was Senior Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, where she led the committee’s work on technology and telecommunications policy. In this capacity, she advised the chair of the committee on telecommunications regulation, media policy, online content moderation, and artificial intelligence. While in the Senate, Christianna was also Senior Counsel for the ranking member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet. There, she directed the ranking member’s work on issues related to technology and telecommunications policy.
Before coming to the Senate, Christianna was Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Charter Communications, where her work focused on wireline and media telecommunications policy. Earlier in her career, Christianna several leadership roles at the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), including as a legal advisor to an FCC Commissioner and manager of the universal service rural health care program. Christianna began her career practicing intellectual property law at a large law firm, and lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and three children.
Education
- B.A., James Madison University
- J.D. and M.B.A., American University
Volunteer
- Vice Chair of the Pre-Law Board at James Madison University
- Former Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Committee for the District of Columbia Bar Association
- Local food pantry volunteer
Awards
- 2018 Women in Cable Telecommunications Emerging Leader Award
