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Leslie Rhode

2014 Speaker

Leslie Rhode anchors the 5pm, 6pm and 10pm newscasts for KXAN-TV in Austin.  This is her second stint at KXAN where she has worked for a total of 12 years.     Before coming back to Austin in 2008, Rhode worked in Washington, DC, at WJLA-TV. She had the opportunity to cover many high profile stories including Ronald Reagan’s funeral live from Simi Valley, California, Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the United States and the 2007 Academy Awards live from Hollywood.    During her time at KXAN-TV, Rhode interviewed President George W. Bush at the White House just days before his term ended, and he returned to Texas. She was chosen to cover the 2000 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles, and when President George W. Bush won his first term, she was sent to Washington to cover his inaugural week. She was also honored to emcee the inaugural parade. Rhode has volunteered with several Central Texas nonprofits including the American Heart Association, Helping Hand Home for Children, Texas Advocacy Project and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.