Kristen Welker is an American television journalist who currently serves as the moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, a position she assumed in September 2023.
She is the second woman and first journalist of color to hold this role.
Welker has had a distinguished career, previously working as NBC News Chief White House Correspondent and co-anchor of Weekend TODAY.
She has moderated significant debates, including the final 2020 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and co-moderated the third 2024 Republican Presidential Debate.
Parents
Kristen’s parents are Julie Welker and Harvey Welker.
Julie is a real estate agent and has been the president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Welker Real Estate for over 30 years.
She is African American and has been a significant influence on Kristen’s career, supporting her from the start.
Harvey is a consulting engineer with a background in mechanical engineering from Dartmouth College.
He is white, and Kristen has often mentioned how he inspired her interest in journalism by watching news with her.
Career
Welker graduated from Harvard University with a degree in American history, where her interest in journalism was fostered by her involvement with The Harvard Crimson and The Harvard Independent.
After college, Welker started her professional career as a producer for CBS Newspath in Manhattan.
In 2010, Welker joined NBC News, marking the beginning of her journey with the network.
She initially worked behind the scenes before moving into on-air roles. Her career gained momentum when she began covering the White House in 2011.
Welker reported on several significant events, including presidential campaigns and international crises.
Her coverage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 incident earned her an Emmy Award, highlighting her ability to handle complex and sensitive topics.
Welker’s prominence grew as she became a key figure in NBC’s White House coverage, known for her tough yet respectful questioning style.
She was named NBC News Chief White House Correspondent, a position that further solidified her reputation as a leading journalist.
In 2020, Welker was also named co-anchor of Weekend TODAY, expanding her role beyond political reporting to cover a broader range of news topics.
One of her most notable achievements was moderating the final 2020 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
In September 2023, Welker made history by becoming the second woman and first journalist of color to moderate Meet the Press.
