Amna Nawaz is a prominent American broadcast journalist, best known as the co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS NewsHour. Alongside Geoff Bennett, she has helmed one of public television’s flagship news programs since January 2023, succeeding longtime anchor Judy Woodruff. Nawaz’s career spans major networks, international reporting, and groundbreaking milestones, including becoming the first Asian American and Muslim American to moderate a U.S. presidential debate.
Early Life and Education
Born to Pakistani immigrant parents and raised in Virginia, Nawaz is a first-generation American. Her father was a journalist in Pakistan, instilling in her a curiosity and passion for questioning the world around her. Initially planning a career in law, Nawaz shifted to journalism after a fellowship at ABC News shortly after the September 11 attacks.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she captained the varsity field hockey team, and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.
Career Trajectory
Nawaz began her professional journey at ABC News as a Nightline fellow, quickly immersing herself in post-9/11 coverage. She later joined NBC News in 2003, working on Dateline NBC documentaries and the network’s investigative unit. As a foreign correspondent and Islamabad bureau chief, she reported from conflict zones including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Turkey. Notably, she became the first foreign journalist to access North Waziristan—then a hub for Al Qaeda and the Taliban—while pregnant with her first child.
In 2014, Nawaz founded and managed NBC’s Asian America platform, elevating stories from the nation’s fastest-growing demographic.
She moved to ABC News in 2015, anchoring election coverage, hosting the podcast Uncomfortable, and producing documentaries like Roberts County: A Year in the Most Pro-Trump Town.
Nawaz joined PBS NewsHour in April 2018 as a correspondent, advancing to chief correspondent in 2021 and co-anchor in 2023. In 2025, she and Bennett signed new contracts, adding co-managing editor titles to their roles.
Her reporting at PBS NewsHour covers politics, immigration, foreign affairs, climate change, gun violence, education, culture, and sports. She has interviewed world leaders, U.S. officials, and newsmakers, and hosted primetime series like Beyond the Canvas.
Historic Milestones and Representation
In December 2019, Nawaz co-moderated the PBS NewsHour/Politico Democratic Presidential Primary Debate, making her the first Asian American and the first Muslim American to moderate a presidential debate.
As co-anchor, she brings her lived experiences as a Muslim Pakistani-American woman to the desk, emphasizing nuanced, public-service-oriented journalism. Nawaz has spoken openly about representation, motherhood, and the importance of diverse voices in media.
Awards and Recognition
Nawaz’s work has earned widespread acclaim:
- Multiple Peabody Awards for PBS NewsHour team coverage, including global plastic pollution (2019), January 6 insurrection (2021), Uvalde school shooting and gun violence (2023), and reporting from Israel after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack (2024).
- Emmy Award for the NBC special Inside the Obama White House (2010).
- Society for Features Journalism Award.
- International Reporting Project fellowship (2009).
- Honors from organizations like Gold House (A100 honoree, 2023), Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (Vision Award, 2022), and Muslim Public Affairs Council.
In 2025, Nawaz delivered the commencement address at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and spoke at events such as the Chautauqua Institution, sharing messages of resilience and hope.
Personal Life and Legacy
Nawaz lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her husband, Paul Werdel, and their two daughters. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and advocates for mental health and trust in the media.
Through her fearless reporting and barrier-breaking achievements, Amna Nawaz continues to redefine broadcast journalism, offering thoughtful, in-depth coverage in an increasingly polarized media landscape. As of late 2025, she remains a trusted voice on PBS NewsHour, committed to exploring complex issues from every angle.
