(Editor’s note: The March issue of The Lane Report features our semi-annual list of the Top Women in Business. At lanereport.com, we’re shining the spotlight on one of the honorees each day. Day 11: Kristin Pierce, morning anchor for WHAS11 in Louisville.)
Our occasional feature, Top Women in Business, highlights some of the women in and around Kentucky who are making an impact in business, the professions, politics and economic development. The intent is to recognize not the household names, but those in key roles whose work ethic and body of work are making important contributions to commerce—and life—in the area.
Our Top Women in TV profile features a handful of dynamic women who have made a name for themselves reporting on Kentucky sports, weather and news.
Kristin Pierce is one of the weekday morning anchors at WHAS11 in Louisville. A domestic violence survivor, she uses her TV job to spread awareness and lend a voice to those suffering in similar domestic situations.
Kristin Pierce
Title/company: Morning anchor, WHAS11 (since 2019)
Previous positions: Weekend anchor/reporter at WWL-TV in New Orleans; reporter at WXYZ/WMYD in Detroit; associate producer at WDIV in Detroit.
Education/training: Bachelor of Science in journalism, Bowling Green State University.
My top accomplishment: Growth. We are all a work in progress, but I’m thankful for growth—personally, emotionally and mentally. I think it’s important to acknowledge how far you’ve come and give yourself kudos. It’s equally important to recognize that other people can also evolve.
The person(s) who most influenced/mentored me: Two people instantly come to mind as mentors: Chauncy Glover, ABC13 anchor in Houston, and Carolyn Clifford, WXYZ anchor in Detroit. They both took me under their wings, gave me honest advice and pushed me out of my comfort zone to be a better journalist. They invested their time in me and they’re both stuck with me now.
My biggest challenge and how I overcame it: My biggest challenge was putting too much pressure on myself to be perfect. I would be very critical of myself for showing that I’m human. I overcame it by realizing no one is perfect, relaxing a little more and having fun. I don’t take myself too seriously outside of work; I applied that same mentality to my job.
My advice to younger women in business: Be who you are all the time and always stand up for yourself. Even in tough, uncomfortable positions, be an advocate for yourself.
The best part about being on television: The best part is having a platform to meet incredible people. I’ve been blessed to meet people who I instantly love; I also meet people who instantly trust me with their stories whether it’s sharing heartbreak or getting them much-deserved answers about a quality of life issue.
Ways I’ve used my position on TV to help others: I am a domestic violence survivor and my job has created many opportunities for me to reach more people to spread awareness about this type of violence. It’s still a taboo subject to talk about, but if I reach one person, that level of vulnerability and transparency is worth it.
Something I love doing: I absolutely love volunteer work. I think it’s important to do what you can when you can to help others. One person can’t do everything but we can all do something. Most times, you get more from volunteering than you give.
I’m inspired/driven by: Seeing people win inspires me. I love to cheer people on, whether it’s up close or from afar. Naysayers drive me; I had a boss who told me I would never be a reporter and I was determined to prove him wrong.
A book I’ve read recently: “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. I actually started a book club during the pandemic, so I’ve been reading more consistently.
A song from my childhood/teenage years that I still rock out to when no one else is around: “Irreplaceable” by Beyonce, “Gonna Tell Everybody” by Christina Milian and “The Way That I Love You” by Ashanti.
If I had to delete all but three apps from my phone, I would keep: Pinterest, Instagram and Amazon.
In the next five to 10 years in my job, I hope to accomplish: I hope to establish myself as a champion of people. I want to be someone you trust, someone you know will listen to you and fight for you
Other Top Women in Business stories
Day 1: Susan Elkington
Day 2: Marjorie Farris
Day 3: Sarah Davasher-Wisdom
Day 4: Connie Smith
Day 5: Diane Whalen
Day 6: Yajaira Aich West
Day 7: Rebecca Fleischaker
Day 8: Karen Harbin
Day 9: Mary Jo (Perino) Ford
Day 10: Jennifer Ketchmark
Day 12: Hayley Harmon
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