Jennifer Lyons is the former Vice President of News for NewsNation. Lyons recently lead the creation and launch of a new national cable news outlet, NewsNation. Under her leadership, a daily three-hour newscast and all digital products were launched delivering unbiased national news. She oversaw the design and buildout of a 24-hour newsroom and studio.
Lyons is an award-winning television news executive with 30 years of experience, more than 27 in Chicago, the 3rd largest television market in the United States. Since 1993, Lyons has worked in a variety of capacities at Chicago’s WGN-TV. Previously, she was Director of News and Content from 2014 to 2020 and Assistant News Director from 2008 to 2014.
An innovative and industry-leading journalist, Lyons led the conversion of the traditional broadcast newsroom into a successful multi-platform digital operation by enabling and organizing the distribution of content to a variety of digital outlets.
Lyons led the charge of expanding multiple hours of news at WGN. The station now produces more local news than any other Chicago TV station with 75.5 hours, and can be seen on WGN-TV, WGNTV.com and the WGN-TV News app. Prior to her role as news director, Ms. Lyons was Executive Producer of the WGN Morning and Midday News. She began her career in Davenport and Des Moines, Iowa, working as a photographer, live truck operator and producer for KWQC-TV and WHO-TV.
Lyons earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Iowa State University in Journalism and Mass Communication. Awards include Chicago/Midwest Emmy and Silver Dome awards and News Director of the Year in 2017 for Broadcasting & Cable. This year Lyons will be inducted into the Silver Circle Award for over 30 years of significant contributions to Chicago broadcasting. Ms. Lyons is active in The Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Leader Council and a member of The Chicago Network.