Katty Kay

Katty Kay is an acclaimed journalist, author, and media commentator, whose books and insights shed light on leadership and resilience, gender dynamics, and international relations in the 21st century. She is the co-anchor of the BBC World News America, host of the syndicated Public Radio International show The Takeaway, and a frequent contributor to Morning Edition, Fox News, MSNBC, and other programs.

Katty grew up in England, where she was inspired by the global views of her globe-trotting parents. She received her Bachelor of Arts in modern history from St. Hilda's College, Oxford, and embarked on a career in journalism. After reporting from the Middle East and Africa, Katty joined the BBC World Service, hosting the daily radio program World Update. In 2005, she was appointed co-anchor of the flagship BBC television bulletin, World News Today. From 2008 to 2020, she co-anchored the widely watched BBC World News America broadcast.

In addition to her television career, Katty has written several books on current affairs and international relations. Her first book, The Confidence Gap, written with Claire Shipman in 2014, discusses the experiences of women and their lack of confidence in professional and personal life. This was followed by Womenomics: Write Your Own Rules for Success, which advocates for an increase in the number of women in positions of power.

She furthered this agenda in her most recent book, The Rise of the G-Women: How American Women Are Reshaping Global Power. Here, Katty offers personal stories from powerful female politicians and business leaders, discussing how their views have impacted the modern world. Through her work, Katty has pushed for more gender equality and more female representation in global decision-making processes.

Aside from her books, Katty also contributes to international conversations in podcast form. In January 2021, she premiered the BBC podcast, Baggage Claim: The Power of Experience, where she speaks with people who have experienced professional highs and lows.

Katty’s work has extended to academia. In 2016, she was appointed a research fellow at the Washington-based think tank Center for Universal Education. The same year, she was elected as a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Future of Diplomacy Program.

Throughout her career, Katty has used her influence to bring attention to the pressing issues of the day: gender dynamics, global security and diplomacy, and leadership. One of her major causes has been the importance of education for girls, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. With her insight and passion for global progress, she’s become a vital figure in the landscape of international relations.