Liz Brunner Wiki
Liz Brunner is an American journalist. She is also an award-winning television news anchor and reporter, and the CEO of Brunner Communications. Brunner was born to Mary Chacko Russell and Reverend Galen E. Russell Jr. Mary Chacko Russell is a retired medical social worker and Reverend Galen E. Russell Jr., a Pastor of the United Church of Christ. Mary Chacko Russell was born and raised in India, met Russell in Japan where Russell’s parents served as missionaries. Brunner was raised along with her three younger brothers in Hawaii and Pekin, Illinois.
Liz Brunner Biography
In 1979, she graduated from Pekin High School and competed in the Miss America Pageant as Miss Illinois. Brunner attended and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. She also became a music teacher in Richton Park, Illinois.
Additionally, she sang semi-professionally with the Park Forest Singers and performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. Brunner worked for Caren Charles and was among the company’s top sales associates after leaving music. Her family’s ancestry has been traced back to William Morse and William Brewster.
In 1985, Brunner took her first job in television at the CBS affiliate WCIA-TV in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois in 1985. She served as the liaison between the television station and the community during her three years as community relations coordinator. She has written and produced public service announcements. She has also hosted a talk show covering organizations serving the Champaign community, coordinated the station’s speaker’s bureau, and served on a three-woman weather team.
She joined WTVT-TV, Tampa Bay’s CBS affiliate as the director of community relations after leaving Illinois. She was named co-anchor of the early morning news within in an year. In 1991, Brunner was awarded the “Up and Comers Award” from the American Women in Radio and Television, now called, the Alliance for Women in Media. Additionally, Brunner hosted “Tampa Bay’s Talking,” and numerous prime time specials in 1991. Brunner was hired by WCVB-TV, Channel 5, the ABC affiliate in Boston, as correspondent and fill-in anchor for the award-winning, nightly news magazine show, Chronicle after five years in Tampa.
Within a year, Brunner also became co-anchor of the EyeOpener newscast and a health reporter at Channel 5. She moved into a full-time role in Channel 5’s news department becoming the 5:30 and 11 pm anchor. Later, Brunner was selected to fill the space vacated by long-time Boston news anchor, Natalie Jacobson, as the 6 pm NewsCenter 5 Anchor. She serves as the Executive Vice President of American Women in Radio and Television, Boston chapter. Brunner departed from her 20-year post as the main anchor for NewsCenter 5, WCVB-TV in October 2013.
Since then, she has launched Brunner Communications. Brunner Communications is a firm that specializes in media training and consulting for high-profile individuals and organizations. Its services include media training, executive coaching, women’s leadership training, community relations training, social media management & training, and talent development.
She has more than 25 years of experience in media. Her career path took her from WCIA-TV Champaign-Urbana, IL, to WTVT-TV Tampa, FL, to WCVB-TV, Boston, MA where she served as a main news anchor and reporter. She founded Brunner Communications, a firm that specializes in media training, coaching, and consulting for high-profile individuals and organizations in 2013.
Liz Brunner Age
She was born on 22 May 1959, in Hartford, Connecticut, United States.
Liz Brunner Founder & CEO
Leveraging more than 25 years of media and communications leadership, Brunner’s experience and expertise are sought by high-profile individuals and organizations to build a meaningful reputation within their markets. In addition to directly working with clients, Brunner oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm, provides group workshops on reputation and brand building, and speaks at corporate conventions.
Liz Brunner WCVB-TV
During Brunner’s tenure, she has served as a correspondent and fill-in anchor for the award-winning nightly news magazine show, “Chronicle” for which she was recognized by Boston Magazine as the “Best Newcomer to the Boston Market”, reported on significant health stories, important breaking news stories, and anchored all of the station’s major newscasts.
Liz Brunner WTVT
She served as the Director of Community Relations and co-anchor of the early morning news. She was also awarded as the “Up and Comers Award” from the American Women in Radio and Television.
Liz Brunner WCIA-TV
As the Community Relations Coordinator, Brunner served as a liaison between the television station and the community. Wrote and produced public service announcements, hosted her own talk show, and served as a weather anchor.
Liz Brunner Awards
She has won several journalism awards; Two New England Emmies, Two Gracies from the Alliance for Women in Media, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and an Associated Press Award. Brunner is widely regarded across Boston as a leader in the philanthropic community. She also works with numerous charities including: the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the Berkshire Hills Music Academy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Home for Little Wanderers, the March of Dimes, and many others.