Good News Foundation Holds Discussion Panel 'What Is Your Plan B'

"We actually love being called girls," says Wendy Burch (Chairman & reporter for KABC, Los Angeles), as she introduced her fellow Good News "Girls" - Christine Devine (co-chair & Fox News Evening Anchor), Pat Harvey (Co-Chair & Broadcast Journalist/anchor on KCAL, Los Angeles), Ana Garcia (Treasurer & reporter/co-anchor on KNBC, Los Angeles), and Dorothy Lucey (Secretary & reporter on KTTV in Los Angeles).

The gathering, which included many recognizable on-air broadcast talents, held at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills, was themed "What is your B plan." Most people consider a Plan B to be something that individuals make early on in life, should their first desired goal not be achieved or turn out as they had hoped. However, as Ms. Burch points out "Even those who attain their ambitions, still need a strong and active plan B, should anything happen or when that career has run its course," suggesting professional athletes and broadcast journalists as perfect examples of professions that seem to often have shelf lives or expiration dates.

The discussion panel, emceed by Ms. Burch, was comprised of former household names in broadcast journalism that successfully segued into Plan B careers, including Susan Campos (Weekend Today Show/MSNBC), Mary Grady (KCAL/CBS/UPN), Kelly Lange (NBC/CBS/KABC) and Lonnie Lardner (Anchoring Reporter in LA, Chicago, Nashville and more). Ms. Campos went on to create her own swimwear line and then to develop the now highly successful beautyundercover.com website. Ms. Grady found a home with the LAPD using her knowledge, contacts and skills as their first Director of Public Information. Kelly Lang, of course, discovered her  love of reading combined with her already existing talent for writing to be an excellent diversion after 30 years of broadcasting by producing several best selling novels and Lonnie Lardner would found a company called Creative Voltage, developing an entire professional training and coaching industry for CEO and executives of fortune 500 companies that uses the Arts to stimulate areas of their brains instilling inspired, original and innovative thinking. The Common thread that each of these remarkable women seem to share is a passion for what they are doing. "You have to wake up in the morning and love what your day has in store for you" or as Ms. Lardner, who claims to actually be living her plan A dream now (having only detoured through Broadcast news), "You have to start spending a few minutes every day on your alternative option, so that when the time comes to take that leap of faith, making that transition much smoother." Bottom line as each panelist puts it, think about and be prepared for what the future might offer.

The Good News Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation dedicated to making a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of people in need and at-risk in greater Los Angeles. Founded by the women of Los Angeles television news, The Good News Foundation brings together a powerful network to support numerous community organizations. The Foundation's charitable coverage includes: funding academic scholarships and mentoring programs for aspiring journalists, recognizing and encouraging community service among those affiliated with Los Angeles TV news, and granting assistance to individuals and organizations that are making a dedicated difference in the communities we cover on a daily news basis.

Photo credit: GLEN LIPTON