Brianna Keilar is a prominent American broadcast journalist and anchor based in Washington, D.C., best known for her work on CNN. As a core fixture of the network's daytime and political reporting lineup, she has spent over two decades covering Capitol Hill, the White House, and major national elections. Her straightforward interview style and extensive reporting background have made her a central figure in contemporary cable news.
Understanding her trajectory requires looking at how she climbed through local news, built a reputation as a rigorous congressional reporter, and transitioned into prominent daytime anchor roles. This profile examines her professional milestones, major reporting awards, and her ongoing impact on political broadcasting.
Early Life and Education
Born in Canberra, Australia, on September 21, 1980, Brianna Marie Keilar moved with her family to the United States in 1982. They settled in Orange County, California, where she attended Mission Viejo High School.
She enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) in 2001 with dual bachelor's degrees in mass communications and psychology. During her undergraduate years, she gained early production and reporting experience through internships and local media work, laying the groundwork for a career in television news.
Early Journalism Career
Before reaching national prominence, Keilar worked in local and regional media markets. She started her on-air career in Yakima, Washington, reporting for the local CBS affiliate KIMA and co-hosting a morning radio program.
Following her time in Washington state, she moved to CBS News in New York. At CBS, she served as a reporter, producer, and anchor for CBS News programming aired on MTVU, as well as a freelance reporter for weekend editions of the CBS Evening News and a fill-in anchor for the overnight broadcast Up to the Minute. These roles exposed her to fast-paced news production and national newsroom standards.
Joining CNN and Washington Coverage
Keilar joined CNN in 2006, initially working as a national correspondent for CNN Newsource in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, she provided breaking news coverage and customized reporting for hundreds of local affiliate stations across the country.
As her responsibilities grew, she transitioned to a general assignment reporter role for the main network. She was notably the first CNN correspondent to arrive at the scene of the tragic 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, coordinating live coverage during a high-pressure breaking news event.
Covering Congress and the White House
By late 2008, Keilar was named a congressional correspondent for CNN, covering legislative maneuvers and debates in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. She later served as a senior political correspondent and White House correspondent, putting her at the forefront of major policy fights and electoral campaigns.
Her reporting during the 2008 financial crisis earned widespread industry recognition. In 2009, she received the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award from the National Press Foundation for her detailed reporting on the $700 billion bank bailout. A few years later, in 2014, she won the Aldo Beckman Memorial Award from the White House Correspondens' Association for her coverage of the rollout of the Affordable Care Act.
Anchor Roles and CNN News Central
Over the years, Keilar has anchored various daytime programs, including CNN Right Now with Brianna Keilar. In late 2020, she was named co-anchor of CNN's flagship morning program, New Day, working alongside John Berman before the network restructured its morning lineup.
In April 2023, CNN launched its daytime block, CNN News Central. Keilar currently co-anchors the afternoon edition of the program from the network's Washington, D.C. bureau, alongside colleagues like Boris Sanchez, delivering breaking news, live interviews, and policy analysis.
Advocacy and Military Family Focus
Beyond hard political reporting, Keilar has used her platform to focus on military families. Because her husband is an active-duty military officer, she launched a column and recurring segment called Home Front.
The project aims to bridge the gap between military life and civilian understanding, highlighting the unique challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families. Through this work, she has combined personal experience with public interest journalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brianna Keilar's current role at CNN?
She currently co-anchors the afternoon block of CNN News Central, which airs weekdays from the network's Washington, D.C. bureau.
Where did Brianna Keilar go to college?
She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, earning dual bachelor's degrees in mass communications and psychology.
What major awards has she won?
She won the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for her congressional reporting on the 2008 bank bailout and the Aldo Beckman Memorial Award for her coverage of the Affordable Care Act.
What is the Home Front project?
Home Front is a CNN column and reporting initiative created by Keilar to examine the lives of military families and bridge the divide between civilian and military communities.
When did she start her journalism career?
She began her career in local news and radio in Yakima, Washington, before moving to CBS News and eventually joining CNN in 2006.
