Kate O’Brian is president of News, responsible for all news operations across Scripps’ local media stations, Scripps News and Court TV. Previously, she served as president of Scripps News. She joined the company in April 2021.
Her career in news and journalism spans nearly four decades. She spent 30 years at ABC News in ascending positions. As senior vice president for news, Kate oversaw newsgathering across ABC’s news bureaus worldwide; business, law and justice, medical and investigative units; as well as NewsOne, ABC News Radio and affiliate relations. Also while at ABC News, Kate served as general manager of programming for ABC News Radio; as overseas field producer in Rome and London; as producer for “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings;” and as manager of talent development.
She became the first woman to run a 24/7 cable news organization when she was appointed president at Al Jazeera America, leading the startup news network to multiple awards. Most recently before joining Scripps, she has consulted with media organizations on a range of editorial, management and business strategies, working with some of the country’s leading news operations. Kate’s work has been honored with Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, Emmy Awards and George Foster Peabody Awards, and the Robert G. McGruder award for Diversity Leadership, among other awards.
A graduate of Smith College, Kate serves on the boards of directors for the Center for Ethical Leadership in Media, Partnership for Afterschool Education and the Artisan Alliance of the Aspen Institute.
She has two daughters and two grandchildren, and is married to Bob Etherington.