Mary Ann Childers is best known to Chicagoans as one of the most recognized, and respected voices in local broadcasting.  As an anchor and reporter, Mary Ann reported virtually every major story in Chicago for nearly 3 decades.  

She was the first woman to anchor a #1-rated 10 PM newscast in Chicago, and is widely regarded for her reporting on medicine and health-related issues.  

Mary Ann began her broadcasting career in Chicago as an associate producer for “The Phil Donahue Show” based at WGN-TV.  She developed original programming for syndication – from concept to closing credits.  She produced programs with newsmakers, stars, celebrities … and issue-oriented programs ranging from religion in America, to right-to-die issues, to politics.  During her tenure, syndication grew from 5 cities… to nearly 200.

At WAVE-TV in Louisville, Ky., Mary Ann co-produced and co-hosted “The Morning Show,” an hour-long daily talk program, until the news department called upon her to conduct interviews in daily newscasts.  She worked 7 days a week, producing, writing, and anchoring both the noon and weekend newscasts.  AT WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, Mary Ann was the primary afternoon and evening anchor.  She also produced and wrote special reports, and produced and anchored a weekly magazine show, until coming home to Chicago.

During 14 years at WLS-TV (ABC7) in Chicago, Mary Ann was the first female ever to anchor a leading 10 PM newscast.  She also anchored newscasts at 4:30 PM, weekends, and as an award-winning medical reporter, was widely recognized for her coverage of the aids epidemic, and the on-going fight against breast cancer. 

Mary Ann joined CBS 2 Chicago, WBBM-TV, as an anchor and reporter in 1994.  She anchored afternoon and evening newscasts, and in 1996, launched CBS 2’s 5:30 to 8:00 a.m. news block.  She also served as the station’s medical editor for 5 years.

Stationed in Israel, she was the first Chicago television reporter to file stories during the first Persian Gulf conflict.  She has reported from Africa, Central America, and Great Britain, on stories as diverse as the late Princess Diana, to the famine in Ethiopia.  

Her work has been recognized with dozens of professional and community awards over the years, including 4 Emmys for writing and producing, and a prestigious National Emmy in 2006 for anchor and reporting “Farewell to the Pope,” CBS 2 Chicago coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II.

Mary Ann has a reputation for extensive community involvement, and has helped launch major events such as the American Heart Association’s Chicago “Go Red for Women,” campaign; the Aids Walk; and the Y-Me Race – billed as America’s largest single charity fund-raising event. She has also been active with the Mental Health Association of Illinois, the Chicago Foundation for Education, the Women’s Board of United Cerebral Palsy of Chicago, the National Kidney Foundation, Easter Seals, the Alzheimer’s Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Les Turner ALS Foundation, and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Mary Ann holds a B.S. in Speech from Northwestern University. She lives in Chicago, and is married to veteran Chicago broadcaster Jay Levine.

mac@respublicagroup.com
312.755.3577

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