In honor of Women’s History Month, our intern, Jenny Dove, interviewed 4-time Emmy-winner Natasha Verma. Natasha currently co-anchors the 5pm, 6pm, and 10pm news for Fox 5 New York. At just 17 years old, she earned bachelor’s degrees in both biology and journalism at the University of Texas Austin and went on to receive her master’s degree in journalism at Columbia University. Natasha is the founder of the Verma Foundation, and recently hosted our BFOA Gala, where she talked about her connection to the our mission.

Jenny Dove (JD): At what point did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in the broadcasting industry?
Natasha Verma (NV): Starting off college as a biology major, I never thought I would end up working in journalism. It wasn’t until I discovered University of Texas Austin’s television and broadcasting club that I wanted to do this as a career. I even made my own show, Good Morning Texas, which is still ongoing at UT. I was able to work closely with my professors, make mistakes, get lots of hands-on experience, and ultimately discover my passion for television.

JD: Do you have rituals that you implement before you go on air?
NV: After being in this industry for over a decade now, I’ve learned how to properly prepare myself for going on air. A big part of my routine - the days leading up to an important interview or big story - is doing my homework. Researching guests and preparing stories the night before is key for me, so I can be my most confident self on air. Especially with interviewees, you never know where a conversation might go. That's the beauty of live TV!

JD: What has been the most difficult part of your broadcasting journey? Who helped you overcome that tough time?
NV: During my time at NBC2 Fort Myers Florida, I started doing 16-hour days on Mondays and Tuesdays, so I could get as much on-air time as possible. Initially, the broadcasting industry is all about climbing the ladder to get where you want to be. It takes a lot of persistence, betting on yourself, and believing in yourself to take it to that next level. Anytime I had a challenge, I relied heavily on my mom and dad for their support and advice about my career moves and what I wanted to do next. It takes a lot to push forward, and keep persisting through the long days, so having my family there as my backbone was very important. 

JD: As March is Women’s History Month, is there a female broadcaster who has inspired you throughout your career? What advice would you give to a young broadcaster in today’s multi-platform media world?
NV: I look at the greats, like Barbara Walters, the people who have done such incredible interviews, to see how they are able to cut through the noise, ask a question, and bring out a person’s humanity. I also greatly admire my own incredible colleague, Rosanna Scotto. I have always looked up to women who are good storytellers. I think it is so important to stay true to your authentic voice, find out what it is you truly care about, and keep persisting. Another good piece of advice I got recently was to just post your content: put yourself out there on social media, because you never know who is watching on the other side of the screen. 

JD: As a female journalist and broadcaster, why do you support the BFOA?
NV: While I was an anchor in Boston, I was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma at 23 years old. When you're told this life altering news, everything in your life stops, and your only focus now is getting better and fighting cancer. I can understand and relate to the people in our industry who are facing these hardships. The BFOA is there not only to support these individuals financially, but also emotionally, help  families get back on their feet. The BFOA changes the lives of those struggling and I’m honored to support that mission.

About Jenny Dove: A sophomore at Hofstra University, Jenny is studying public relations and journalism. She is currently music director at WRHU, Hofstra’s celebrated radio station. You can reach out to Jenny on LinkedIn.

The BFOA Internship Program is generously sponsored by the NY State Broadcasters Association.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Hawaii is experiencing some of the most devastating flooding in the last 20 years. As storms have intensified, heavy rains have inundated several of the islands. Cars are submerged underwater, school walkways are turning into rivers, and hundreds of homes have been destroyed. Estimates from the National Weather Service say that 2-4 inches of rain are falling per hour, and stream levels are close to the all-time high. More than 5,500 people are under evacuation orders and several thousand are without power. 

The BFOA is here to help our colleagues in Hawaii who are facing personal property damage or experiencing displacement due to the flooding. Our Emergency Grant program provides expedited, one-time grants to broadcasters while they wait for insurance payouts, FEMA grants, or other disaster relief. Applications can be completed online using a computer or any mobile devise.

Learn more about our emergency grants and other programs at www.broadcastersfoundation.org/how-we-help. 

The BFOA is the financial lifeline for our broadcast colleagues in critical need, across California and around the country. 

Join us in Los Angeles to celebrate the power & generosity of our broadcast community. Mix & mingle with peers, on-air talent, and industry executives. Learn how your BFOA provides vital support... all while enjoying free beverages & bites! 

 

REGISTER TODAY!

This invitation is non-transferable. Registration is required.

We'll see you there!

Please share our message with your colleagues. If you or someone you know is in need of financial support, BFOA is here to help.