Dawna Friesen: The Trusted Voice Behind Canada’s Global National News

5 hours agoLast Updated: March 9, 2026

Dawna Friesen is one of the most respected television journalists in Canada. Known for her calm presence, sharp reporting, and decades of international experience, she has become a trusted face in national broadcasting. As the chief anchor and executive editor of Global National, she delivers news to millions of viewers across the country every evening.

Her career spans more than three decades and includes reporting from conflict zones, covering international politics, and leading one of Canada’s most prominent national news programs. Before joining Global National, she built an impressive reputation as a foreign correspondent for NBC News, reporting from some of the world’s most challenging regions.

Early Life and Background

Childhood in the Canadian Prairies

Dawna Friesen was born on October 8, 1964, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She grew up on the Canadian prairies and has often described herself as a “prairie farm kid.” Growing up in a rural environment helped shape her strong work ethic and curiosity about the world. Life on a farm required discipline, resilience, and independence—qualities that later became essential in her journalism career. From an early age, she developed an interest in storytelling and current affairs. Her passion for news and communication eventually led her to pursue a career in broadcasting.

Education

She studied journalism and communications at Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg. The institution is well known for its broadcasting and media programs and has produced many Canadian journalists. Her time at college helped her develop the technical and storytelling skills necessary for television journalism.

Early Career in Canadian Journalism

Starting in Local Newsrooms

Before becoming internationally recognized, Dawna Friesen began her career in local television and radio newsrooms across Canada.

She worked as a reporter and journalist in several Canadian cities, including:

Winnipeg
Thunder Bay
Calgary
Vancouver
Toronto

Working in multiple regions helped her understand different communities and news environments across the country. These early years were essential in shaping her reporting style and journalistic credibility. During this period, she gained experience covering political events, community stories, and national issues.

International Reporting Career

Foreign Correspondent for NBC News

A major turning point in her career came when she joined NBC News as a foreign correspondent. She spent more than a decade working internationally and was based in London. This role placed her at the centre of major global events. She travelled extensively and reported from several regions including:

Israel
Iraq
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Egypt
Russia
Various countries throughout Europe

Reporting from these regions required courage, adaptability, and deep knowledge of international affairs. Her coverage included war zones, political crises, and global diplomatic developments. The experience she gained during this period strengthened her reputation as a skilled and fearless journalist.

Leadership at Global National

Becoming the Anchor of Canada’s National Newscast

In September 2010, Dawna Friesen became the chief anchor and executive editor of Global National, Canada’s national evening news program. This position placed her at the forefront of Canadian broadcast journalism. As anchor, she presents major national and international stories to viewers across the country. Her responsibilities also include overseeing editorial decisions and shaping the direction of the newscast.

Role as Executive Editor

Beyond delivering the news on television, she plays a key leadership role behind the scenes. As executive editor, she helps guide story selection, coverage priorities, and newsroom standards. This dual role demonstrates her influence both on and off camera. Over the years, Global National has maintained its reputation as one of Canada’s most important news broadcasts, and her leadership has been central to that success.

Awards and Professional Recognition

Throughout her career, Dawna Friesen has received several prestigious journalism awards. These honours recognize her excellence in reporting and broadcasting.

Her awards include:

Emmy Award for television journalism
Canadian Screen Awards for best national news anchor and best newscast
Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding journalism
Gemini Award for broadcast excellence

These recognitions highlight her contributions to both Canadian and international news coverage.

Dawna Friesen Age

She was born on October 8, 1964, which means she is 61 years old as of 2026. Despite decades in journalism, she continues to remain active and influential in national broadcasting. Her experience and credibility make her one of the most respected figures in Canadian media.

Dawna Friesen Husband

Her personal life has occasionally attracted public attention, particularly regarding her marriage. Dawna Friesen was previously married to journalist Tom Kennedy. The couple eventually separated and their marriage ended in 2018. Later that same year, she married Rick Anderson, a well-known Canadian political strategist and commentator.

Their wedding took place in Vancouver in July 2018 and was officiated by Canadian politician Rob Oliphant. Many journalists and political figures attended the event. Rick Anderson has worked in Canadian politics for many years and is known for his commentary on political affairs.

Dawna Friesen Child

Family life remains an important part of her personal story. She has one son, whom she has often described as her greatest achievement. While she occasionally mentions motherhood in interviews and social media, she keeps most details about her child private.

Protecting her family’s privacy has always been important to her, especially given her public career in national television. She has stated that raising her son is the accomplishment she is most proud of.

Personality and Interests

Beyond journalism, Dawna Friesen has shared glimpses of her personality through public appearances and social media.

Her interests include:

Gardening

She often talks about spending time in her garden. Gardening provides relaxation and balance after the demanding schedule of television news.

Critical Thinking

She has humorously described herself as constantly “fine-tuning her garden and her detection of nonsense.” This phrase reflects her journalistic instinct to question information and identify misinformation.

Love of Journalism

Even after decades in the profession, she remains passionate about news reporting and storytelling.

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Influence in Canadian Media

Few journalists have had as much influence on Canadian television news as Dawna Friesen. Her career reflects the evolution of modern journalism, from local reporting to international coverage and national leadership. She represents a generation of journalists who built credibility through field reporting, investigative work, and global experience. Her work continues to shape how millions of Canadians receive and understand the news.

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Conclusion

Dawna Friesen’s journey from a prairie farm in Manitoba to the anchor desk of a national news broadcast is an inspiring story of dedication and professionalism. With decades of experience, international reporting credentials, and numerous journalism awards, she has established herself as a trusted voice in Canadian media.

Her role as the chief anchor and executive editor of Global National ensures that she remains one of the most influential figures in television journalism. Beyond her professional achievements, she is also a devoted mother and partner who values family and personal balance. Through her work and leadership, she continues to contribute significantly to the future of journalism in Canada.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Dawna Friesen?

Dawna Friesen is a Canadian television journalist and the chief anchor and executive editor of Global National, one of Canada’s leading national news broadcasts.