Karen Holmes Ward

KAREN HOLMES WARD is WCVB’s director of public affairs and community services as well as host and executive producer of “CityLine,” the station’s award-winning weekly magazine program, which addresses the accomplishments, concerns and issues facing people of color living in Boston and its suburbs. “CityLine” has been a recipient of the Associated Press Massachusetts/Rhode Island Best Public Affairs Program and has earned numerous Emmy nominations.  Ward also oversees WCVB’s public service and community outreach efforts including the station’s work on “Extreme Makeover: My Hometown,” raising awareness about the need for affordable housing in the Greater Boston area, and WCVB’s first-of-its-kind web-based initiative, Commonwealth 5, which was nominated for a National Emmy award.  WCVB’s community service efforts during and following the Boston Marathon attack was honored with a National Association of Broadcasters Service to Community in Television award.

Over the years, Ward has served on the board of advisors for the Greater Boston Food Bank, Pine Street Inn, MSPCC (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and the YWCA of Boston Aswalos House Transitional Housing Program.  She is currently on the board of tenacity. A graduate of Boston University’s School of Public Communications (now COM) , Ward has received numerous awards for her work in the community including the Boston Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Leaders award National Association of Black Journalists Region I Journalist of the Year, Big Sister of Greater Boston Achievement award Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts President’s award, Women of Courage and Conviction award from the Greater Boston Section National Council of Negro Women, Inc. among others. Most recently, she was inducted into the Silver Circle by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Boston/New England Chapter. @karenholmesward