Jennifer Sanders

Jennifer Sanders is an Emmy Award-winning and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, investigative storyteller, and documentary filmmaker dedicated to producing journalism that informs, inspires, and creates meaningful change. As the main evening anchor at KXAN in Austin, Texas, Jennifer believes the best journalism doesn't simply tell people what happened—it helps people understand why it matters. Whether uncovering systemic failures, elevating overlooked voices, or documenting stories of resilience, her work is driven by a commitment to truth, accountability, and service.


Her investigative reporting has earned some of journalism's highest honors, including the prestigious Headliners Foundation Silver Burl Osborne Award for Human Trafficking: Barriers to Justice, the Society of Professional Journalists Fort Worth First Amendment Award (First Place – Defending the Disadvantaged) for Traumatized Twice: Texas Prosecutors Struggle to Break the Human Trafficking Cycle, and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the documentary What Remains. Throughout her career, Jennifer's work has also been recognized with multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards, Emmy Awards, the Headliners Foundation Charles E. Green Award, Texas Association of Broadcasters honors, and the Texas Veterans Commission Excellence in Media Award.


Jennifer joined KXAN in 2020 after serving as an anchor and reporter at WSYR-TV in Syracuse, New York, and beginning her television career at KXII-TV and KDAF-TV in North Texas. During her time in Austin, she has anchored multiple newscasts while leading award-winning investigative and enterprise reporting on issues including education, public safety, mental health, housing inequities, veterans, and human trafficking. Her work combines in-depth investigations with thoughtful conversations that help viewers better understand the issues shaping their communities.

Long-form storytelling has become a hallmark of Jennifer's career. Her documentaries—including Hidden History: The End of Syracuse's 15th Ward, Hidden History: Syracuse 8, Hidden History: Syracuse Congress of Racial Equality, and What Remains—have explored the lasting impacts of history, race, leadership, and community through deeply researched, human-centered reporting. Following the release of Hidden History: The End of Syracuse's 15th Ward, Jennifer spoke throughout Central New York about urban renewal, redlining, and the lessons communities can carry forward.


Jennifer's commitment to journalism extends beyond the newsroom. She was selected for the Solutions Journalism Network's Journalists of Color Fellowship, completed KXAN's Investigative Reporting Fellowship, and has dedicated her career to mentoring the next generation of journalists. A former instructor at Syracuse University's Newhouse School, she has worked with aspiring reporters through the Syracuse City School District, the National Association of Black Journalists, Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy, Huston-Tillotson University, and numerous student mentoring initiatives.


Service has always been central to Jennifer's purpose. She has volunteered with organizations focused on education, health equity, food insecurity, cancer support, voter engagement, and youth mentorship. Through The Links, Incorporated, she helped launch initiatives including the Central Texas Black Family Wellness Expo and The Green Door Boutique, expanding access to healthcare resources and professional clothing for young women. Following a life-changing mission trip to Africa, Jennifer has remained committed to humanitarian service both internationally and throughout Central Texas.


Jennifer currently serves on the Board of Regents at Texas Lutheran University, where she chairs the Student Experience and Engagement Committee. She is also an active member of The Links, Incorporated, The Links Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the AKA Association for Community Development.


Among the honors Jennifer treasures most is being named the 2025 Austin Under 40 "Austinite of the Year" and receiving the Journalism, Media and Content Creation Award—recognition celebrating both her professional excellence and commitment to serving the Central Texas community.


As the daughter of retired U.S. Army parents, Jennifer spent her childhood living throughout Europe and the United States before returning home to Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and Spanish from Texas Lutheran University and a master's degree in Journalism from the University of North Texas.


Whether anchoring the evening news, producing investigative documentaries, mentoring future journalists, or serving alongside community organizations, Jennifer believes journalism is at its best when it informs the public, amplifies overlooked voices, and inspires people to build stronger communities.

Journalism as Infrastructure

Jennifer approaches storytelling as infrastructure. Reporting is not simply content; it is civic architecture. It provides context, preserves history, holds institutions accountable, amplifies overlooked voices, and guides decision-making.

Her work spans award-winning documentaries, enterprise reporting, and investigative journalism examining issues including human trafficking, public safety, education, mental health, housing, healthcare, race, global issues, and community resilience. Whether uncovering hidden history, exposing barriers to justice, or documenting stories of resilience and hope, Jennifer approaches every story with depth, curiosity, and compassion.

Explore Jennifer's Work

Leadership Beyond the Newsroom

Jennifer is the founder of NexJeneration, Inc., a platform providing students with hands-on training, professional exposure, and financial support to pursue careers in journalism. She regularly hosts workshops nationwide and has served as adjunct faculty at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Her civic leadership includes board service with The Gifford Foundation and Vera House, Inc., and active involvement in organizations dedicated to service and community engagement. She is also co-host of The Ladies Room podcast and has served as executive producer of a national special on The Word Network integrating faith and current events.

Builder of Platforms and People

Jennifer's commitment to journalism extends far beyond the newsroom. She mentors students and early-career journalists every day, helping develop the next generation of storytellers through one-on-one coaching, journalism workshops, classroom instruction, and public conversations at universities, conferences, and professional organizations across the country.


She also believes lasting change happens when strong institutions invest in people. Jennifer has served as adjunct faculty at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and continues to mentor emerging leaders across the country. She currently serves on the Texas Lutheran University Board of Regents, where she chairs the Student Experience and Engagement Committee. Her leadership has also included board service with organizations such as Vera House, The Dunbar Center, and The Gifford Foundation, along with partnerships with schools and nonprofits across Texas and New York focused on education, violence prevention, youth development, civic engagement, and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.


Whether mentoring a young journalist, helping guide institutional strategy, or serving alongside community organizations, Jennifer is committed to developing leaders, strengthening communities, and using storytelling as a catalyst for lasting impact.

Grounded in Service

Long before she became a journalist, Jennifer learned that the most meaningful stories begin with service. Growing up, she volunteered at her local library, participated in a San Antonio youth leadership program that trained young people to become positive role models in their communities, and volunteered at the Bexar County Jail, supporting children as they visited their incarcerated fathers. Those early experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to investing in people and serving communities.


Today, that commitment extends beyond the newsroom. Whether serving in local correctional facilities, volunteering at food pantries, or registering voters as a volunteer deputy voter registrar, Jennifer believes meaningful change begins with showing up for others.

A Broader Vision

Jennifer's commitment to journalism extends far beyond the stories she tells. In 2025, she was named Austin Under 40 Austinite of the Year and received the Journalism, Media and Content Creation Award, recognizing her professional excellence, leadership, and lasting contributions to the Central Texas community.


A proud Texan raised by retired U.S. Army parents, Jennifer spent part of her childhood living throughout Europe and the United States, experiences that shaped her global perspective and lifelong commitment to service.