Next person biography:
Leyna Nguyen's remarkable journey from a small village in Dong Ha, Vietnam to breaking barriers in mainstream media is a testament to her unwavering perseverance and determination.
Born in a war-torn country, Leyna and her family made the arduous decision to escape to Minnesota in 1975, where she spent her childhood dreaming of becoming a news reporter.
Despite the odds, Leyna's determination led her to become an award-winning journalist in the second-largest television market in the country, earning four Emmy Awards in the process.
Twenty-six years and numerous accolades later, Leyna founded her own company, LeynaNguyen.net, to help businesses and individuals navigate the media.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Leyna is the founder of Love Across the Ocean (LATO),a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to benefiting children and families in Vietnam and assisting refugees in Southern California.
Leyna made broadcast history by becoming the first newscaster to anchor the news on two stations in the same market, with the unprecedented Viacom-owned duopoly of KCBS and KCAL-TV, and was the first Vietnamese-American primetime TV news anchor in a major television market.
Throughout her career, Leyna has trained law enforcement officials and business leaders on how to work with the media, mentored aspiring journalists, and helped professionals master the art of communication.
Prior to her tenure in Los Angeles, Leyna was a news anchor/reporter for NBC-affiliate KCRA-TV in Sacramento, where she also hosted a quarterly program on Asian-American issues.
She began her television career in Augusta, Georgia, anchoring the news on CBS-affiliate WRDW-TV.
In addition to her professional achievements, Leyna has appeared in over 35 television shows and movies, including NCIS, Dexter, Austin Powers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Leyna has received numerous awards and accolades, including YWCA Woman of the Year, AREAA Humanitarian of the year, 25 Most Influential Vietnamese-Americans in 25 years, and the California State Legislature's Woman of the Year for her philanthropic work.
Currently, Leyna hosts two podcasts, "Consenting Adults" and "Leyna Nguyen Unscripted," and continues to volunteer her time helping organizations that benefit children and underprivileged families.
