Jennifer Burke, nee Leo is a well-known Canadian television news anchor, journalist and radio host. Born in London and finally settled in Vancouver, Jennifer studied broadcast journalism at BCIT.
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Jennifer Burke, nee Leo is a well-known Canadian television news anchor, journalist, and radio host. She is also known as Jennifer Mather and Jenny Lo. She was born in London, England. Details regarding her exact date of birth are unavailable. Her father was a Chinese and mother was English. From London, they moved to St. Louis, Canada and eventually settled down in Vancouver. Jennifer underwent a broadcast journalism program at BCIT. Her biggest critic was her father, which helped her to improve on her career performances.
Career
Jennifer's journalism career started and budded with radio journalism at CKNW 980 AM based in Vancouver. Starting as a technical producer, she climbed her way to be a reporter. Later, she joined the CKNW 980 AM affiliate's FM radio station, the 101 CFMI. Here she worked as the news announcer, producer as well as the morning show script writer.
Jennifer is currently an anchor for CTV News Channel in Toronto, having had joined them in October 2009. Prior to joining the CTV News, she was a reporter and anchor for many television stations in Vancouver and British Columbia. These include CHAN-TV, where she was their weekend news anchor. She also worked for CKVU-TV as a co-anchor. When she joined the CBC Television, she hosted a popular talk and discussion show, Living Vancouver. Her The Jennifer Mather Show on CKMI-FM propelled her to journalism stratosphere. The program aired on the radio involved a radio call-in show focusing on news and politics. The show went on air in the afternoons. She also had a role as a morning news anchor on The Bob Saye and Stirling Faux Show on CFMI-FM. As a host of The Jennifer Mather Show, she covered a wide range of social affairs and interviewed famous newsmakers.
In April 2003, during the upcoming provincial elections in British Columbia, Jennifer moderated the aspiring leaders' political discussion. She was known for asking tough honest questions regarding the prospective leaders' governance abilities. It earned her fame and loath in equal measures.
Awards and achievements
The successful anchor and broadcaster has over 20 years of experience in the field of radio, television, media, weblog and print media, Jennifer used her network's popularity to make an impact on the society. She joined the Development Fund in 1997. This nonprofit organization, she helped create, has been active in seeking donations to raise money for various charitable activities. She served as its Program Director for several years.
In 2007, Jennifer was honored with the prestigious Gemini Award for being the Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Segment media person. This was a result of her concerted effort and her sensitization of the general public to participate in the cause of blood donation. Her blood donation drives help stock the essential commodity for many hospitals thereby saving lives. During her time at Global, Vancouver, she won two consecutive Leo Awards in 1999 and 2000 for Best News Anchor. This award prestigious award is given to the media personalities who have positively impacted on the populace with their reporting and media research contributions. She was also nominated for the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters Award. These achievements were no mean feats.
Jennifer is blessed with the great personality. She is totally charming, smart and attractive. Her style of presentation needs to be applauded. It is fresh and crisp. She seriously took up social issues. She investigated the trouble over food preparation at the Peace Arch Hospital in Surrey, British Columbia. Her detailed reporting on the investigation brought about intense changes.
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Jennifer is an active participant in social and community activities and spends most her spare time for causes such as BC Children’s Hospital, Canuck Place, Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, The CKNW Orphans Fund, Variety Club and Women’s Media Golf Classic. Her personal involvement in these matters raised more than $2.5 million for children’s charities. Jennifer has been made the Co-Chair of Orcas in the City of the Lions Society, a much respected and prestigious post.
Personal Life
Jennifer was married to Brian Burke, a National Hockey League executive. They have two daughters, Mairin and Fiona. She is his second wife. She has balanced home life and her profession very well between Orange Country Home in the US and Vancouver, Canada. Jennifer and Brian are now divorced. He has four children from a previous marriage. Jennifer keeps her personal life very private and does not disclose any information to the media. Details of her marriage and reason for her divorce from Burke are not stated anywhere. However, her husband sued over an online defamation.
Marriage Controversy
During the time when Jennifer was moderating the political campaign in the British Columbia, her husband, Brian Burke, was in the new limelight regarding his decision to sue for online defamation. This is in response to the rumors which had been propagated on a certain blog over his alleged extra-marital affairs.
The bloggers commented that Mr. Burke had been having an intimate relationship with Sports TV anchor Hazel Mae, who he has a child with.
Though only four people re originally thought to have made these accusations, he has named 14 more. The case is creating interest since he has to prove that the comments actually harmed his reputation. Further, the accused have to prove that the allegations are true.
Most of those accused probably may not substantiate their comments. Further, from the composition of the 18 - several being just students and low key hustlers who were just having fun in the blog - it is unlikely that they will have a strong defense against the case. With contradictory laws and statues in different states and even counties, the legal fraternity is out to see how it turns out to be.
Jennifer has been mum since the beginning of these proceedings. However, the lady at the center of the controversy, Mae, has hinted at looking for legal options and supported the step taken by Mr. Burke. This could be a reason for their divorce, Jennifer has concentrated on bringing up her children after the divorce. She is not seeing any man or having any romance on-going currently.
Last Modified: Apr 8, 2020
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