About Christiana

Howard County Councilwoman Christiana Rigby is a dedicated public servant and lifelong resident of Howard County. She was born and raised in District 3, growing up in the Columbia Village of Kings Contrivance. 

After graduating from the Howard County Public School System, Rigby went on to study Environmental Science at the University of Maryland – Baltimore County (UMBC), with a focus on environmental policy. After graduating from UMBC, she started her career as a community organizer, where she honed her skills leading consumer protection initiatives, strengthening environmental regulations, and fighting to safeguard employment opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community. 

In 2018, Rigby was elected to serve on the Howard County Council for District 3, representing communities in Columbia, Savage, Jessup, Guilford, and North Laurel. She is the first openly queer Howard County Councilmember, and, in her first year, Councilwoman Rigby was unanimously elected Chair of the Howard County Council from 2018 to 2019, the youngest woman ever to hold that position. During her time on the County Council, Rigby has advocated for critical neighborhood investments and passed landmark legislation, particularly in the areas of educational equity, affordable housing, climate resiliency, accessible transportation, and other community-enhancing efforts. In 2022, Councilwoman Rigby was re-elected to serve a second term on the County Council. 

Rigby lives in Columbia with her husband and their two children. As a parent and public servant, she is deeply committed to the wellbeing, success, and future of Howard County.