Professional Experience

1992 to present: Anchor, WINK News.

Awards & Recognition

I've been honored with much recognition, including the "Best News Anchor" in Southwest Florida, the Phi Delta Kappa Lay Person of the Year, the Quill Pen Award from the Florida Association of School Administrators, a "Woman in History" from the American Business Women's Association, the Library Advocate of the Year by the Southwest Florida Library Network and was voted one of the top Women of the Year by Gulf Shore Life Magazine.

News Philosophy

A news organization plays a very important role in society, providing vital information in times of emergency and keeping a close watch on the powerful while, at all times, being fair and accurate.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Service

For more than 15 years I've volunteered as a committee member for the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, helped raise millions of dollars worth of food for the Harry Chapin Food Bank, served on the local board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and volunteered in area schools by reading to children and mentoring students.

Education

University of Wisconsin.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

There are so many things to love about Southwest Florida. The people, the beaches the sunsets. But if I had to chose one, it would be the weather. We are the envy of much of the country, most of the year, and that's pretty special.

Hometown

St. Anna, Wis.

Family

Husband, John; son, Nicholas; daughter, Isabella.

March to a Million Meals: The power of volunteers

The Harry Chapin Food Bank makes your donated dollar go further with the help of volunteers. Marylou Phillips has handed out food in Punta Gorda for 10 years. “I come in every Thursday. And that’s what I enjoy. I enjoy seeing the people enjoy helping,” Phillips said. In fact, this entire group of volunteers from […]

Estero’s Copperleaf community donates money, food for Ian victims

Many families took a financial hit from Hurricane Ian, with home repairs and job losses leaving little in the budget for anything else. One community in Estero got together to contribute to the Harry Chapin Food Bank on behalf of WINK News’ March to a Million Meals fundraiser, taking a little pressure off of people […]

March to a Million Meals: Why your dollar matters

You have hundreds of choices when donating to charitable causes in Southwest Florida, so why should you give your money to March to a Million Meals? One reason; the Harry Chapin Food Bank can stretch your dollar to feed more people. The hunger problem is significant in Southwest Florida. You can see lines every day […]

March to a Million Meals: Food insecurity leads first-timer to a food bank

Thousands of people in Southwest Florida must make tough choices every day. Do I buy food for my family or pay the electric bill? Is it food or the necessary medicine? The cost of living has gotten more expensive in the area and rents continue to rise. Food costs are also up and Hurricane Ian […]

A look back at the historic 2022 hurricane season

The 2022 hurricane season started with a historic lull. A tropical storm formed five days into the season, but nothing until September 1. There were 14 named storms, of which eight became hurricanes. Two intensified into major hurricanes, including Ian, with winds reaching 155 miles per hour sustained and a massive storm surge. Ian’s track […]