Norah O'Donnell

Award-Winning Journalist & Women's Empowerment Advocate; Anchor & Managing Editor of the "CBS Evening News"

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New York, NY, USA
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Norah O'Donnell Biography

Norah O'Donnell is the anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News," anchor of CBS News Election Specials, including primary, debate and election nights, and a 60 Minutes contributing correspondent. She is the host of CBS News 24/7's "Person to Person," where she brings interviews that go beyond the headlines through thoughtful conversation.

O'Donnell is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, news-making interviews. She is covering her eighth presidential election and has interviewed every living president of the United States. In 2024, O'Donnell spoke exclusively with Pope Francis in Rome for a historic and first-of-its-kind papal interview for an American journalist.

Named anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News" in 2019, O'Donnell leads CBS News' flagship broadcast from Washington, D.C., becoming the only network evening news anchor based in the nation's capital. She is the only woman to currently anchor an evening news program on broadcast television. Previously, O'Donnell was co-host of "CBS This Morning" since 2012. Prior to that, she served as CBS News' chief White House correspondent covering the administration of President Barack Obama.

Recently, O'Donnell has taken the "CBS Evening News" broadcast across the world to provide viewers with a first-hand look at some of the most important stories of our time. O'Donnell was the first American journalist to travel to the Red Sea to report on the rising tensions in the Middle East. She also reported from Tel Aviv immediately after the Hamas terror attacks and continues to cover the Israeli-Hamas War. O'Donnell was the first anchor to visit Maui after the deadliest wildfires in the U.S. in over a century. Over the past year, she has interviewed major figures shaping politics, culture, and foreign affairs, including presidential candidate Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, retired General Mark Milley, media mogul Oprah Winfrey and global icon Dolly Parton, among others.

As the anchor of the "CBS Evening News," O'Donnell has conducted interviews with newsmakers in Washington and beyond, including President Joe Biden's first interview since taking office; an exclusive sit-down with Vice President Mike Pence after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani; the first-ever interview with the four highest-ranking women in the United States military; an exclusive interview with a former staffer for New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo who alleged sexual harassment by the governor, and more.

She has been central in shaping the "CBS Evening News"' focus on "hard news with heart," guiding the broadcast's inclusion of series that profile the communities and individuals behind the day's biggest headlines. For example, she has reported extensively on the U.S. military, including launching "Profiles in Service," a series highlighting stories of veterans, members of the military and Americans from coast to coast who are giving back to their communities. O'Donnell also led the development of "Heart of America," a daily segment in the "CBS Evening News" that highlights the Americans that inspire and provide hope from every corner of the country.

O'Donnell has been recognized with multiple honors and awards. In 2023, O'Donnell and the "CBS Evening News" were awarded an Edward R. Murrow Award for the broadcast's report on the landmark overturning of Roe v. Wade. O'Donnell was awarded a prestigious 2022 duPont-Columbia Award and the Scripps Howard Award for Excellence in Broadcast National/International Coverage in 2021 for an exclusive, year-and-a-half long investigation into sexual assault in the U.S. military. This followed her Emmy-award winning reporting in 2018 on sexual assaults at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Her reporting on sexual assault at the Air Force Academy was also recognized by the prestigious White House Correspondents' Association. O'Donnell also received the Headliner Award in Business and Consumer Reporting for her "60 Minutes" report on the front lines of automotive industry factories for Ford and GM as they pivot from making cars to COVID-19 PPE and ventilators in a rapid changeover not seen since World War II. In 2020, O'Donnell and the "CBS Evening News" were also recognized with an Edward R. Murrow Award for 'Best Newscast' for its on-the-ground and exclusive coverage from the U.S.-Mexico border, including O'Donnell gaining first access inside migrant detention centers and her interview with Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan.

O'Donnell received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Breaking News Coverage for her contributions to CBS News' coverage of George Floyd and the forces of change. O'Donnell was part of the CBS News team that received an Alfred I. DuPont Award for the Network's coverage of the 2012 Newtown massacre. She has earned several Gracie Awards including being named Outstanding News Anchor in 2020 and Best National News On-Air Talent for the year 2018 and 2016. Additionally, O'Donnell was awarded the Merriman Smith Memorial Award for excellence in presidential news coverage for her exclusive "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, on his decision not to run for president in 2016.

A firm believer in empowering women, O'Donnell sits on the board of directors of the International Women's Media Foundation. Born into a military family, O'Donnell grew up in San Antonio, Texas; Landstuhl, Germany; Seoul, South Korea and Washington, D.C. O'Donnell is currently writing a book on a female-focused retelling of American history that will feature women who have been forgotten from our country's narrative. The book will be published by Ballantine in the first half of 2026.

O'Donnell is a graduate of Georgetown University's College of Arts and Sciences and received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy as well as a Master of Arts in liberal studies. She is married to the bacon-loving Geoff Tracy, otherwise known as Chef Geoff, and is the mother of three children.

BOOK Norah O'Donnell

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/10/2024.

Norah O'Donnell Speaking Topics

  • Work and Family: Achieving Balance and Leaving Time for Yourself

    Norah O’Donnell has been a career journalist for over a decade and a mother for only a few years but it didn't take her very long to understand that the notion of “work-life balance” really is a misnomer. Things are hardly ever in “balance:” career-oriented women often spending their days prioritizing and re-prioritizing as they’re overtaken by the day’s events. In a funny, candid and poignant presentation, O’Donnell discusses:

    • The sacrifices of today’s working women and mothers
    • Insight and solutions that allow them to take the pressure off themselves to achieve anything approximating balance
    • How to live in the moment at work and at home—and make it all work

  • The Future of U.S. Political Leadership: Women, Minorities and Global Comparisons

    The Obama Administration ushered in a new team reflective of America’s diverse population. While the Executive Branch has achieved diversity, the U.S. Congress, governor seats and state legislatures fall woefully short of reflecting the electorate which is 54% women and 12% African American. Globally, several other countries have had women heads of state. Known for her exceptional research and keen interviewing skills, O’Donnell delves into the lack of diversity in U.S. elected positions by analyzing:

    • Why America’s office holders lack diversity
    • Global insight into how the rest of the world is doing in electing women to office
    • Insight into the extensive mobilization and fundraising involvement of women and minorities in previous campaigns and what it foretells for the future
    • How the administration’s diversity affects public policy

  • Breaking News with Norah O’Donnell

    Norah O’Donnell is a trusted journalistic voice who has covered the major political stories of our time. O’Donnell goes beyond the headlines to give audiences a more detailed sense of the complex issues in the news today. O’Donnell shares:

    • Her thought-provoking analysis of the events that shape our world and the key players at the forefront of headline news
    • Insights on the Obama administration’s efforts to shape legislation and policy on the economy, health care, environment and more
    • Views on the media’s coverage of the administration and the administration’s use of technology to rally the public behind public policy initiatives

Norah O'Donnell Videos

  • Norah O'Donnell: Journalism Is What We Need To Make Democracy Work
    Journalist Norah O'Donnell shares her reflections on the state of America's democracy with Moira Forbes during the 2019 Forbes Women's Summit.
  • POPE FRANCIS: THE FIRST with Norah O’Donnell
    Pope Francis sits down for a global exclusive interview with CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell from the Vatican. In a...
  • Norah O’Donnell: LWV 54th National Convention Keynote Address
    CBS Evening News Anchor Norah O'Donnell presents the Keynote address for the League of Women Voters 100th Anniversary National Convention.

Norah O'Donnell Books

  • Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler
    Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler

FAQs on booking Norah O'Donnell

  • How do I book Norah O'Donnell to speak at my event?

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    Speaking fees for Norah O'Donnell, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Norah O'Donnell are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Norah O'Donnell, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Norah O'Donnell speak about?

    Norah O'Donnell is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Empowerment, Influential Women, Journalism, Personal Growth, Political, Publishing, Television & Film, Women, Women's Empowerment.
  • Where does Norah O'Donnell travel from?

    Norah O'Donnell generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Norah O'Donnell’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Norah O'Donnell for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Norah O'Donnell for your next private or corporate function.
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Norah O'Donnell is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Work and Family: Achieving Balance and Leaving Time for Yourself , The Future of U.S. Political Leadership: Women, Minorities and Global Comparisons and Breaking News with Norah O’Donnell. The estimated speaking fee range to book Norah O'Donnell for your event is $50,000 - $100,000. Norah O'Donnell generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Mika Brzezinski, Lesley Stahl, Katty Kay, Elizabeth Vargas and Anita Hill. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Norah O'Donnell for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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