Longtime Global Montreal Station Manager and News Director Karen Macdonald is set to retire at the end of April.
Macdonald, a 1985 graduate of Concordia University, started her career with the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph. She remained with the paper for 25 years, the last 14 as its publisher.
She concurrently joined Canwest in 1997 and has held roles from reporting and anchoring to running master control and operations, in addition to her current role as news director and station manager.
She’ll officially retire from Global News on April 26.
“Our dear friend and colleague Karen is an English television pioneer in Quebec, and we are so grateful for all of her lasting contributions,” said Ward Smith, Senior Vice-President, Global News, in a Corus Entertainment announcement. “Her leadership and interest in developing the youngest and brightest journalists has been so essential for our profession. We will miss Karen’s dedication to journalism, her infectious humour, and the fellowship she imbues throughout our organization.”
A 2019 recipient of the RTDNA (Radio Television Digital News Association) Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award in the Central Region, Global says Macdonald has established a reputation for hiring and mentoring young journalists and bringing more diverse voices into the industry both in front of, and behind the camera.
RTDNA will name a scholarship, geared to supporting young journalists from racialized communities, in her honour.
“I had the privilege of working with Karen when Global Quebec launched in 1997,” said Lis Travers, RTDNA Canada President. “Her commitment to nurturing young journalists will live on through the Karen Macdonald scholarship.”
Macdonald also currently serves as the Chair of the Greater Montreal Foundation, and Vice Chair of the board of United Way Centraide Canada.
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