LORI WALDON – News Director, KCRA3/KQCA58, Sacramento
Lori Waldon, the news director at KCRA/KQCA, in Sacramento, was promoted by Hearst Television in 2012 to lead a nationally recognized news operation with an outstanding reputation for strong investigative, enterprise and political reporting. Under Waldon’s leadership, KCRA has been honored with Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Awards for Overall News Excellence, Breaking News and Best Newscast. Before joining KCRA/KQCA, Waldon was the news director at WISN 12 News in Milwaukee; where, under her leadership, the station received recognition with a national Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast- Large Market, several regional Murrow awards, along with a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism, 28 first place Associated Press awards; and several awards from the Milwaukee Press Club and Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. During her time in Milwaukee, Lori served for two years as the chairperson of the ABC News Directors Advisory Board. She also received recognition in Black Enterprise Magazine’s “People on the Move,” and guested on the Dr. Phil show, discussing diversity in newsroom leadership. Waldon joined WISN from the Sacramento duopoly KOVR13/KMAX31, where she served as assistant news director. She previously spent 13 years in news management roles at KPIX5. Prior to KPIX, Waldon worked as a news reporter at stations in Charlotte, N.C.; Mobile, Ala. and Peoria, Ill. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, receiving a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. Waldon is visiting faculty at The Poynter Institute for Journalism Studies, an RTNDA Leadership Coach, and an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
