Station manager and news director for Global Saskatoon Lisa Ford is receiving one of Lethbridge College’s Honouring Excellence Awards as this year’s Career Virtuoso recipient.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honour,” said Troy Reeb, senior vice president of Global News, who himself graduated from Lethbridge in 1988. “Lisa has mentored and championed the careers of an entire generation of journalists who have gone on to greatness across North America, all while putting her community first at home in Saskatoon.”
Ford graduated from the school’s Communication Arts program in 1984, and started her career in Swift Current, Sask. in radio. She transitioned to television in Red Deer, Alta. and then joined the “original on-air team” at STV—now Global Saskatoon—at just 24 years old.
Ford has served as news director for more than 20 years, and became station manager in 2012.
She’s been heralded for her work advocating for women, including her insistence to report on-air while pregnant, despite ridicule from viewers and even a few of her supervisors.
“I am grateful that Lethbridge College helped me kick off a very fulfilling 31-year career in a business I love as much today as I did back then,” Ford said. “I am very humbled and honoured to be receiving such a prestigious award.”
Ford recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio, Television and Digital News Association of Canada (RTDNA), which recognized her continued excellence and outstanding service to the industry.
Three others were also honoured with Lethbridge College awards, including Darryl Kenna for Distinguished Alumnus, Kimberly Schmidt for the Community Leader Award and Rob Parsons as the Rising Star recipient.
The four alumni will be recognized April 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Garden Court Dining Room at Lethbridge College for the Honouring Excellence recognition event.
Tickets and more information are available online or at 403-329-7220.
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