Juju Chang

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Co-Host of ABC’s Nightline & Human-Centered Storyteller

Juju Chang

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Co-Host of ABC’s Nightline & Human-Centered Storyteller

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Biography

Juju Chang, one of the most prominent women in broadcast news, the Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of Nightline and a regular contributor to Good Morning America and 20/20, has a superpower. It's an incredible amount of compassion that shines through in everything she does—from always willing to lend a helping hand to inspiring others, especially with her storytelling abilities. Throughout her career reporting on the most pressing issues of our time, Chang has become a symbol of hope and resilience—shining a light on the best of humanity in the hardest of times. Byron Pitts, co-anchor of Nightline, said it best when describing his work colleague, "When there's goodness, there's Juju." And everyone who has ever met her agrees.

This empathy comes from a childhood where she didn't always feel like she belonged. Born in South Korea, she immigrated with her parents to Northern California when she was just four years old. It was a time when there were not many Asian Americans in the area. "Obviously, I was a definite minority, and I felt very different and othered," she says.

The same held true for her family. Chang witnessed a lot of prejudice against her dad and remembers not having the words to really describe what she was seeing, but just knowing in her gut that it didn't feel right. It felt malicious and wrong and was a perspective honed at a very young age that helped her see the world in a certain way as she went about being a journalist for the last 30 years.

An ABC News veteran, Chang joined the network as an entry-level desk assistant in 1987 after graduating with honors from Stanford University. Prior to her current roles at ABC, she was a producer for World News Tonight, a co-anchor on the overnight show World News Now and news anchor for Good Morning America. Chang’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including multiple Emmys, Gracies, a DuPont, a Murrow and Peabody Awards. In 2017, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Front Page Awards.

Chang is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a founding board member of the Korean American Community Foundation. She also serves on the board of the 92nd Street Y (92NY). She is a recipient of the Justice in Action Award from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund and is a pandemic gardener, devoted wife, and mother to three sons who identify as “50% Korean and 100% Jewish.”

With the rise of hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, Chang leveraged her platform to become a much-admired champion of social change. She made U.S. broadcast history co-anchoring the 2021 ABC News Live special, Stop The Hate: The Rise In Violence Against Asian Americans, alongside fellow Korean-American co-anchor Eva Pilgrim and a cast of AAPI journalists, thought leaders, lawmakers and celebrities. Chang also reported from the scene of the mass shootings at three Asian-themed spas in Atlanta, co-anchoring the ABC News 20/20 breaking news special, Murder In Atlanta.

Chang's highly visible reporting on Asian Hate is the culmination of decades of covering everything from natural disasters to terrorism, mass shootings, immigration, violence against the LGBTQIA+ community and, most recently, the inequities of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Opioid Epidemic. Known for her in-depth personal narratives and long-form storytelling, Chang has won acclaim for stories with underlying themes of civil and women's rights and social justice. These include her critical examination of the controversial "Remain in Mexico" immigration policy, which she told through the eyes of one pregnant woman and her family living among the 60,000 asylum seekers camped for months along the Rio Grande. Her award-winning report, Trans and Targeted, on violence against transgender women of color, was the latest of a series of stories on the targeting of LGBTQIA+ Americans, including a GLAAD award-winning report on Matthew Shepard's murder. Internationally, Chang has been a powerful voice on gender-based violence, including a trip through Central Africa on the front lines against Boko Haram and #bringbackourgirls. She also traveled to Honduras for Femicide: the Untold War, an eye-opening look at rampant violence against women.

In addition to reporting, Chang has profiled newsmakers like Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg; entertainers such as Tom Hanks, Chris Pratt and Nicki Minaj; and social media moguls Kendall Jenner and Dude Perfect.

Speaker Videos

Juju Chang Sizzle Reel

Seeing Light in the Darkness

5 Exercises to Combat Uncertain Times

Human Connection

Radical Empathy

Juju Chang | 2021 Trailblazer Honoree Speech | 11th Annual Gala

Juju Chang: Commencement Reel

"Nightline" anchor Juju Chang on her trailblazing career

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Speech Topics

Leading with Authenticity: Turning Life Experience into Leadership Impact

Early in her career, Juju Chang felt pressure to fit in rather than stand out. As her career progressed, she began to notice that her strongest work and most meaningful moments came when she stopped trying to meet others’ expectations and instead showed up as her authentic self. Over time, that shift became a turning point—one that strengthened her voice, deepened trust with audiences, and elevated her impact as a journalist and leader. In this engaging keynote, Juju shares how embracing authenticity fuels clearer communication, stronger relationships, and more effective leadership. This talk inspires leaders at every level to lead with confidence, purpose, and the courage to be real.

Audiences will learn:

How authenticity can strengthen leadership presence and professional impact over time.
Why letting go of appeasement leads to more meaningful connection and influence.
How organizations benefit when people are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work.

Women’s Leadership: Owning Your Voice, Identity & Impact

For many women, leadership begins with learning how to be heard in rooms where expectations were not built with them in mind. In this empowering keynote, Juju Chang draws from her experience as an award-winning journalist and network anchor to explore what it takes for women to lead with confidence, credibility, and clarity. She shares practical insights on navigating bias, trusting your voice, and stepping into leadership without shrinking or second-guessing yourself. Juju encourages women to embrace their identities and life experiences as leadership strengths rather than liabilities. This session is a powerful call for women to lead boldly—and for organizations to recognize that when women lead authentically, everyone benefits.

Audiences will learn:

How women can build confidence and leadership presence in environments where they may feel underestimated.
Strategies for owning your voice and advancing your career without conforming to outdated expectations.
Why organizations are stronger when women are empowered to lead as their full, authentic selves.

The Power of Storytelling: Sharing Truth, Inspiring Change

Storytelling has the power to help us make sense of the world—and of one another. In this moving and insightful keynote, Emmy? Award-winning journalist Juju Chang explores why sharing our stories matters and how truth-telling can inspire understanding, resilience, and change. Drawing from moments throughout her career, Juju shows how stories—whether joyful, painful, or complex—create connection and remind us of our shared humanity. She reflects on how even the most difficult stories can uncover strength, meaning, and hope. With warmth and empathy, Juju demonstrates how storytelling can bridge divides, spark compassion, and leave audiences feeling seen and less alone.

Audiences will learn:

Why storytelling is a powerful tool for connection, understanding, and change.
How sharing truth—especially difficult truths—can foster resilience and empathy.
How stories can bring people together and inspire more compassionate communities.

50% Korean. 100% Jewish.

“50% Korean. 100% Jewish.” That’s how Juju Chang describes her three sons—and it’s the starting point for a deeply personal and timely conversation about identity, belonging, and allyship. In this powerful keynote, Juju shares her journey to Judaism and reflects on raising a family shaped by multiple cultures, shared values, and a common history of perseverance. She draws meaningful parallels between anti-Semitism and anti-Asian hate, exploring how periods of rising polarization, isolation, and misinformation fuel fear and “othering.” With honesty and compassion, Juju highlights why moments like these call for solidarity rather than silence. This talk is both a reflection and a call to action—inviting audiences to stand together against hate and work toward a more connected, empathetic society.

Audiences will learn:

How polarization and isolation contribute to rising hate across different communities.
Why allyship between communities is essential in confronting discrimination and misinformation.
How shared stories and understanding can help counter hate and strengthen collective resilience.

Beyond the Headlines: The Truth About Health Disparities in America

Through her reporting from communities too often left out of the national conversation, Juju Chang has seen firsthand how deeply health outcomes are shaped by where—and how—people live. In this powerful keynote, she draws on experiences covering neighborhoods like the South Bronx to explore how poverty, housing conditions, environmental factors, and access to care intersect to create stark health disparities across the country. Juju examines how moments of national crisis and heightened polarization have exposed long-standing inequities that existed long before they entered the public spotlight. She brings these realities to life through the voices of residents, healthcare workers, and community advocates, revealing the human stories behind the data. This talk challenges audiences to look beyond headlines and rhetoric and confront the systemic gaps that continue to define health and wellbeing in America.

Audiences will learn:

How social and economic conditions directly shape health outcomes and life expectancy.
Why health disparities persist—and how polarization and misinformation can deepen them.
How storytelling can humanize inequity and inspire more informed, compassionate action.

Moderating, Interviewing & Hosting: Elevating Conversations That Matter

Juju Chang brings a rare combination of warmth, credibility, and on-stage presence that instantly elevates any event. As an Emmy? Award-winning journalist and anchor of ABC’s Nightline, she knows how to guide thoughtful conversations while keeping audiences engaged and energized. Whether moderating a panel, interviewing a high-profile guest, or hosting a main-stage session, Juju creates a natural flow that brings clarity and focus to complex topics. She has a unique ability to balance depth with approachability, ensuring speakers feel comfortable and audiences feel connected. With Juju leading the conversation, events feel polished, purposeful, and truly memorable.

Testimonials

“Juju Chang was absolutely wonderful as part of our Big Red Talks series. Employees were deeply inspired by Juju’s story, and we received numerous messages from attendees expressing appreciation for the opportunity to host such a respected news leader while shedding light on important issues facing the AAPI community today. She created a meaningful and impactful experience for our organization, and we are truly grateful. It has been a pleasure working together, and we look forward to future opportunities to collaborate.”

- Scholastic

“Our team received overwhelmingly positive feedback from associates following Juju Chang’s presentation. Juju was phenomenal, and we deeply appreciated her willingness to share her experiences while creating an engaging and dynamic environment—even in a virtual format. She captivated the audience throughout the video call and delivered a meaningful program in recognition of AANHPI Month. We are grateful for her time and couldn’t have asked for a better presenter for this important occasion.”

- Lockton

“Our experience with Juju Chang was exceptional. Juju connected authentically with the audience and was intentional about engaging key stakeholders, including board members and VIP guests, while spending meaningful time with our community. Our President greatly valued the opportunity to speak with her about themes such as women’s empowerment, motherhood, perseverance, and professional growth. She was the perfect way to cap off an extraordinary day.”

- Adelphi University

“Juju Chang truly wowed our entire membership as the opening speaker for our program. It is rare to have a full room of women completely silent, yet during Juju’s remarks, you could have heard a pin drop, and many were moved to tears. She thoughtfully tailored her message to reflect the complexities of our current moment, weaving in both historical context and shared insights that made the experience deeply personal. Juju was a delight to host and engaged effortlessly with members throughout her time at The Club, making her the perfect way to begin our Club year. Her attention to detail and grace, even while balancing so much, was remarkable, and we look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.”

- Tuckahoe Woman’s Club

“Juju Chang was spectacular. Juju took the time to become fully familiar with the work of our other speakers and engaged thoughtfully with both them and the audience, while also raising important new questions about the state of Asian Americans today. We could not have asked for a more skillful interlocutor. With 180 people registered—a record for our organization—we believe her participation generated tremendous interest and helped us fulfill our goals in an exceptional way. We are deeply appreciative and profoundly grateful for her contribution.”

- Princeton University

“Juju Chang’s presentation was the most concise and compelling description of the Asian American experience we have heard. Juju delivered her remarks with clarity and precision, accurately capturing the complexities of identity and discrimination. Her insights resonated deeply, and we commend NYSSBA for selecting her for this important program.”

- New York State School Boards Association

“Juju Chang was outstanding. From the opening moments of her keynote through the final Q&A response, Juju captivated the entire school community, and the praise continued throughout the remainder of her time on campus. The afternoon faculty session was equally impactful, as she facilitated thoughtful discussion around two real-world scenarios and explored themes related to the AAPI experience gathered from members of our own community. She helped establish a strong foundation for continued dialogue and meaningful action, ensuring our school community is better informed and more supportive of AAPI individuals globally.”

- Millbrook School

“Juju Chang was excellent and delivered the perfect message to launch our conference with energy and purpose. Juju was so well received that we ultimately had to cut off questions, as attendees were eager to continue the conversation. Our audience truly did not want her to leave. Thank you for your assistance and support in making this possible—it made a significant difference.”

- National Association of Social Workers

“Juju Chang did an exceptional job and was perfectly aligned with our mission and organization. Juju’s message resonated deeply with our audience, and we are grateful for the wonderful recommendation. We were so pleased with the experience that we have shared our positive feedback with other YWCA groups nationwide, as she was truly fantastic.”

- YWCA Northwestern Illinois

“Juju Chang was fantastic. Juju’s remarks were timely, relevant, and delivered with genuine warmth and charm—our audience embraced her wholeheartedly. She was an excellent choice for NCJW and truly a home run as our keynote speaker this year. We are deeply grateful for the recommendation and for the impact she made on our event.”

- National Council of Jewish Women

“You were absolutely right. Juju Chang was exceptional. Juju arrived fully prepared to engage with our community and demonstrated a deep understanding of our mission and work, thoughtfully weaving those elements into her remarks. She delivered a compelling keynote that was relatable, vulnerable, and deeply inspiring. We would highly recommend Juju to any community seeking a speaker for a women’s event or broader audience. Please pass along our sincere appreciation to her for traveling to Denver and making our Choices event an outstanding success.”

- JEWISHColorado

“It was a pleasure to welcome Juju Chang as the keynote speaker for our event. Juju delivered a powerful message about what each of us can do to build community and combat hatred in all its forms, and she clearly understood and connected with the Women’s Philanthropy audience. Her remarks helped us successfully launch our UJA Annual Campaign and marked a strong return to in-person programming. She also generously stayed afterward to take photos and engage with guests, a gesture that was deeply appreciated.”

- Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ