Betsy Anderson is a Senior Producer for CNN Special Projects. In this role, she oversees the production of sponsored programming on CNN and HLN. She leads of team of producers based in Atlanta and New York, and manages the CNN Worldwide Multimedia Initiative Impact Your World.
In her many years at CNN, Anderson has helped produce an array of major news stories and events, including multiple presidential elections, President Clinton’s Impeachment, 9/11, the War in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami and the Boston Bombings.
Anderson began her career at a weekly newspaper in Minnesota, followed by a move into radio and local television in Los Angeles. She arrived at CNN Headline News in 1992, and transitioned to CNN as a Newswriter, eventually working her way up to executive producing prior to becoming a freelance writer/producer in 2003.
In addition to freelancing at CNN and other production companies, Anderson produced commercial and documentary work in Africa. Her time in Nigeria nurtured a love of West Africa and the rich tapestry of the region.
The transition to freelance work also afforded Anderson the opportunity to follow her dream of becoming a world class barefoot water-skier. She competed as part of the U.S. contingent at the World Barefoot Waterski Championships in 2006, 2010 and 2014. She returned to CNN fulltime in 2008.
Anderson is married to a fellow bare-footer and the mother of three ski boats. She enjoys being on the lake, golfing and teaching swimming lessons. She is a YMCA and Red Cross Swimming Instructor and believes everyone should know how to swim, change a tire and back up a boat trailer.
