Norah O'Donnell is an award-winning 60 Minutes correspondent, the former anchor of CBS Evening News, and the New York Times bestselling author of We The Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America. One of the preeminent interviewers in the nation, O’Donnell is known for her insightful conversations with the biggest newsmakers in the world, from Pope Francis and every living President of the United States, to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and cultural icons like Dolly Parton. Her interviews and reporting over three decades have won every major recognition in journalism including multiple Emmy awards, Edward R. Murrow awards, Gracie awards, and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award.

As a keynote speaker, O'Donnell brings her signature warmth, intelligence, and journalistic rigor to the stage. She is the perfect moderator for high-profile discussions, helping CEOs, thought leaders, and public figures articulate their best insights in engaging, meaningful ways. Whether breaking down the latest political landscape, exploring leadership and resilience, or sharing the inspiring stories of women who defied the odds, she delivers compelling takeaways for corporate and university audiences. A trailblazer in her own right—one of only three women to ever solo anchor an evening network news broadcast—O'Donnell also speaks candidly about navigating success, balancing ambition with family, and the power of perseverance. Through captivating storytelling and real-world expertise, she leaves audiences informed, inspired, and ready to meet the challenges of today's world.

More About Norah O’Donnell

Norah O’Donnell is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist with over 30 years of experience covering global events and reporting from the frontlines of history. As anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News (2019–2025), she became the only network evening news anchor based in Washington, D.C., bringing viewers in-depth reporting from the nation’s capital and beyond. She has covered eight presidential elections and co-moderated the 2024 Vice Presidential debate, underscoring her authority in high-stakes political coverage.

In a career defined by many firsts, O’Donnell made history as the first American journalist to land an interview with the Pope. Her conversation with Pope Francis at the Vatican for 60 Minutes won an Emmy Award for outstanding interview. She was the first American journalist to report from the Red Sea amid rising Middle East tensions, reported from Tel Aviv immediately following the October 7 attacks, and was the first anchor on the ground in Maui after the deadliest U.S. wildfires in over a century. She has also conducted in-depth interviews with influential global figures including Benjamin Netanyahu, Malala Yousafzai, and the Dalai Lama.

O’Donnell’s investigative journalism has driven significant policy changes, particularly in her reporting on sexual assault in the U.S. military, which earned her a duPont-Columbia Award and Scripps Howard Award. She has also received multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards, a Sigma Delta Chi Award, and several Gracie Awards for her work in broadcast journalism.

Before anchoring CBS Evening News, O’Donnell anchored CBS This Morning for seven years and worked at NBC News for more than a decade, covering the Pentagon, Congress, and the White House.

A champion for women in media, O’Donnell serves on the board of the International Women’s Media Foundation. Raised in a military family, she grew up across the U.S., Germany, and South Korea.