Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Nadell.
Hi Suzanne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in rural Illinois. My dad was a full-time pastor. I’m wired to lead, just like my dad. My leadership ability was accepted in newsrooms. I’ve climbed newsroom ranks and worked my way up from Johnson City, TN, production assistant to News Director of WSB-TV. I lead the news team and am proud of their daily work to serve Atlanta and North Georgia. My professional journey has taken me to positions including reporter, producer, and executive producer in cities like Johnson City, TN, Fort Myers, FL, Orlando, Tampa, Tulsa, Pittsburgh, and here in Atlanta. In recent years. Few people were talking to women of faith who are mothers and leaders in their careers. So I wrote a book and currently speak on Instagram and my blog about juggling faith, family, and career. My goal is to provide a space for women who are struggling to feel heard and find ways to give them support. I’ve also survived cancer multiple times and often speak about those experiences to help other women on similar journeys.
Here is the press release from Chalice Press, my publisher.
Award-winning Journalist Suzanne Nadell to publish with Chalice Press
Suzanne Nadell, news director at WSB-TV in Atlanta, has signed a contract with Chalice Press to publish her upcoming book in 2024. In “Fact-Checking Your Jesus,” Nadell offers invaluable advice and wisdom to those seeking growth, framing her work in the objective eye of a journalist. She takes on justice, ethics, and gender issues; personal care and growth strategies, and how to be an ally, especially for women.
“Some of the most important life lessons never seem to be talked about in church. Speak up for the less fortunate. Recognize and dismantle bias. Look at the person rather than the gender or race. Support women. Learn to rest. Endless important truths seem to be neglected from the pulpit,” Nadell says. “Despite growing up in the church, I learned these lessons in newsrooms, becoming an industry leader who wants to share those life lessons while exploring why such basic truths are rarely taught in the one place we should expect to hear them.”
Suzanne NadellNadell is an experienced media professional known for her exceptional leadership and profound impact on the industry. Widely recognized for her achievements, she was honored as one of Georgia’s 100 most influential people in 2022. In addition to her dynamic career, Suzanne is a passionate advocate for empowering working women of faith. Through her speaking engagements and a thought-provoking weekly blog, she shares invaluable insights, inspiring women to reach their full potential in their personal and professional worlds.
As news director of WSB-TV, the station not only dominated local ratings but also outshone all top ten market television stations nationwide. The station’s outstanding performance led to numerous accolades, including multiple Southeast-Regional Emmy awards, including the prestigious News Excellence recognition in 2021 and 2022.
Beginning her career as a production assistant in Johnson City, Tennessee, Nadell led KOKI in Tulsa, Oklahoma to first place in total key demographic viewership within a mere three years. She also served as news director at WPXI in Pittsburgh, where she led the station to ratings success. In both Tulsa and Pittsburgh, newsrooms collected a combined seven regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and 20 regional Emmy Awards. She also served at television stations in Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers, Florida.
Beyond her career, Suzanne finds fulfillment in her role as a devoted mother to her 12-year-old son, Price. Together with her husband, Michael, she actively contributes to the Atlanta Christian Church community. A two-time cancer survivor, you can find Suzanne enjoying time with her family at their home in Brookhaven, Georgia.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Writing a book and building a presence on Instagram while working a full-time job with so much responsibility can sometimes be a lot. I’ve had to learn to ask for help. Be very deliberate in what I say yes to. Be wise with scheduling. And be very, very patient.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My day job is to lead the team at WSB-TV.
My passion job is writing and speaking to women in my book, blog, social media, and in-person about juggling faith, family, and career. My blog and newsletter are updated every weekend. You can catch me on my back deck nearly every night, talking about our weekly topic. I call those my “back-deck chats.” I also do weekly live chats from my kitchen as I juggle weekly chores and discuss ways we can grow.
I tell women it’s ok to be a woman with dreams, a leader, a person of faith, and a wife and mom. You can be all things.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Making banana splits with my mom.
I tell this story every Mother’s Day. After my son was born, my husband wanted to know what I wanted for Mother’s Day. I emphatically said, “I want a banana split.” Every following Mother’s Day, I would say the same thing. Finally, when my son was about eight, I realized why. It is because one of my favorite memories is an evening when I was home alone with my mom. It was a rare evening that she was off work, and nobody else was around. She said, “Let’s go to the grocery store and make banana splits.” And that’s what we did. I loved making and eating those banana splits with my mom.
Contact Info:
- Website: suzannenadell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suznadell/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suznadell/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-lake-nadell-49468b12/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC03Uz2PgSSngQ8FizgdTAqg
