Lesley MacDonald

Lesley MacDonald is the founder, producer, writer and host of Woman of Vision, a monthly segment airing on the News Hour that tells the stories of inspirational women in the Edmonton-area. The series has won two national broadcasting industry awards. Every March, Lesley hosts a sold-out luncheon to pay tribute to Global Edmonton's Woman of Vision honourees, and in May, she produces a one-hour Woman of Vision special.

In a career spanning 25 years in television news, Lesley has interviewed countless people. She has always been interested in knowing what makes people tick and what makes one person succeed where others have failed.

Lesley began her career at Global Toronto. Coincidentally, she and Kevin Newman (who is now the anchor and executive editor of Global National) both started on the same day. Lesley started out as a copy clerk, and quickly rose through the ranks to become an associate producer. She later became the station's entertainment reporter/anchor, and also filled in as a news anchor.

In 1987, Lesley made the big move to ITV (now Global Edmonton) to co-anchor and co-produce the 6.00 & 10.00 PM newscasts.

After a two-year hiatus, she returned in 1996 to help launch the station's new 5.30 PM newscast. She anchored the popular program for a decade.

Lesley has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. She formed Viewpoint Productions in 1995 to manage a wide range of television and business ventures. She has hosted three national television series, produced and hosted corporate videos, and provided media coaching and consulting services to businesses and government organizations.

For many years, Lesley was also the female voice of the national specialty television network, Family Channel. She is also a sought-after public speaker and acts as host, moderator, MC, and speaker for many local and national programs and events.

Lesley is an active member in the community. She has served on the United Way cabinet for the past 10 years. She is also a member of the Downtown Rotary Club, and has been the recipient of a Rotary District of Northern Alberta Integrity Award. She has also received a Woman of Style Award for Excellence in Broadcasting.

She may have a packed schedule, but Lesley finds time to serve as director of communications for Manasc Isaac Architects.

Lesley was born and raised in Campbellton, New Brunswick, which she describes as “a small town between a mountain and a river in the middle of nowhere!” Her educational background began with business and political science at Bishop's University in Lennoxville, Quebec, followed by Radio and Television Arts at Ryerson University in Toronto.

Lesley enjoys skiing, reading, music, and family time with her husband Rob, and two teenage children.


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