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.