Biography: Since January 2004, Mary Jo H. Mitchell has been the Director of Government Affairs for the Population Association of America and Association of Population Centers. In addition to representing PAA and APC, Ms. Mitchell has co-directed The Census Project since 2008. Prior to her position with PAA/APC, Ms. Mitchell worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for approximately 10 years, as the Legislative Officer at the National Institute on Aging and as the Special Assistant to the Director of the NIH Office of Policy of Extramural Research Administration. Ms. Mitchell held positions on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro and Legislative Correspondent for former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman. Ms. Mitchell has a Master of Public Administration from George Washington University and is a former Presidential Management Fellow. Her recent leadership positions include serving as President of the Association of Public Data Users, 2021-2022, and as the Chair of the Associates Board of Directors for the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 2011-2012. In March 2024, Mary Jo was appointed by the U.S. Census Bureau to serve on the 2030 Census Advisory Committee. In 2024, she was named one of Washington, DC’s Top Lobbyists by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics.

“Engaging Policymakers: Role of PAA/APC and Population Scientists”

Abstract: The Population Association of America (PAA) and Association of Population Centers (APC), especially through the work of its Government and Public Affairs Committee and the Director of PAA/APC Government Affairs, Mary Jo Mitchell, educate policymakers about the population sciences and the organizations’ federal policy priorities. Please join us on December 3 for a webinar in which Mary Jo Mitchell will discuss how PAA and APC develop and communicate the organizations’ federal policy priorities and how you can play a role. Mary Jo will share tips on how to successfully establish and maintain good communications and relationships with federal policymakers and their staff.