2026 Chicago Silver Circle Honorees
Photo Credit: Mary Schmidt
Posthumous honor
Posthumous honor
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Geoffrey Baer
Geoffrey Baer is a ten-time Chicago/Midwest Emmy®-winning Public Television writer, producer
and program host for WTTW, where he has worked since 1989. He is best known as the host and
writer of dozens of popular WTTW specials including The Chicago River Tour, Chicago by ‘L’,
Chicago’s Lakefront, Chicago Mysteries, Riding the Rails, and many others.
Geoffrey hosted the WTTW series The Great Chicago Quiz Show and appeared for years on
WTTW’s flagship nightly news program Chicago Tonight in a segment called “Ask Geoffrey.” He
traveled the country to host the PBS primetime series 10 That Changed America about our nation’s
architectural, engineering and urban planning achievements, and hosted and co-wrote the PBS
special Weekend in Havana. He hosted and co-wrote documentary profiles of architects filmed in
England, France, Italy and many U.S. states.
Earlier in his WTTW career, Geoffrey produced the weekly series Artbeat Chicago and was a
producer and associate producer for PBS arts specials including Going Home to Gospel with Patti
LaBelle, Michael Feinstein and Friends with Rosemary Clooney, fully staged operas at the Lyric,
concerts by the Chicago Symphony and more.
Geoffrey began his career in 1976 at Miami University’s NPR station in Oxford, Ohio while pursuing
his undergraduate degree in Radio/TV/Film and also worked at the small local commercial radio
station in town. He went on to work at WKRC (ABC) in Cincinnati, WNEM (NBC) in Michigan, and
KYW (NBC) in Philadelphia, producing commercials and nightly magazine format programming.
He returned to Chicago in 1983 to earn a master’s degree in theatre at Northwestern University.
He then spent five years on the theater faculty at the Chicago Academy for the Arts high school
before resuming his television career at WTTW. For many years, he also taught acting and improv
to adults at Players Workshop of the Second City.
Geoffrey has been a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center since 1987. He is an emeritus
board member of the Lookingglass Theatre Company and has been honored by the American
Institute of Architects Chicago, the Society of Architectural Historians, the American Society of
Landscape Architects, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Chicago Headline Club and
now, NATAS!
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Rita Coburn
Rita Coburn is an acclaimed director, writer, producer, and speaker whose Peabody and Emmy®-
honored work reflects nearly four decades in radio, television and film. A native of Chicago’s south
suburbs, Coburn began her career with local productions, building a foundation in storytelling
centered on African American history, culture, and lived experience.
She interned for Warner Saunders’ Common Ground and worked in the newsroom with Walter
Jacobson and Bill Kurtis. Her early documentary work included African Roots, American Soil
(WBBM, 1995); Remembering 47th Street (WTTW, 2000); and Curators of Culture: Chicago’s South
Side Community Art Center for WTTW’s Chicago Stories (2004).
Her national career included work with The Jenny Jones Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show,
and Oprah Radio. As her cinematic voice evolved, she explored Black life through a multi-
generational lens, blending contemporary testimony with historical insight to illuminate
overlooked dimensions of iconic figures and social movements.
Through her company, RCW Media Productions, Inc., she co-directed and co-produced the award-
winning documentary Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film
Festival and received a Peabody Award in 2017. Her film Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her
Hands (2022) earned a Christopher Award in 2023. She is currently directing and producing W.E.B.
Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause for PBS American Masters, scheduled for national release on May 19,
2026.
An internationally respected speaker and cultural commentator, Coburn has delivered keynotes,
moderated panels, and led master classes at universities and cultural institutions across North
America, Europe and Africa. A published author and veteran media voice, she continues to
illuminate the beauty, complexity and resilience of African American life through film, writing and
public dialogue. She is currently developing her first narrative feature, a romantic drama.
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Jack Conaty
Jack Conaty was the highly respected political reporter for Chicago's WFLD-TV (Fox 32) for over
two decades. Conaty was known for his sharp political insight, concise writing, and engaging
wit. He built a reputation for clear, direct reporting on government, elections and public policy. He
covered local and national politics until his retirement in 2009 and is remembered for his
distinctive style and significant contributions to Chicago news.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Conaty began his career teaching high school English before
earning a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri. He honed his skills in Tampa
(WTVT) and New Jersey (WNET), then spent six years as a national correspondent in Washington
D.C. for WJLA-TV, gaining crucial D.C. insider knowledge. This unique perspective set him apart
when he joined WFLD in 1987, becoming Chief Political Correspondent as the station launched its
nightly news.
At WFLD, Conaty delivered daily political headlines, hosted the Sunday morning show Fox Chicago
Perspectives, and covered major events, including presidential conventions and Bill Clinton's
impeachment. Colleagues praised his ability to distill complex issues into understandable
narratives, a talent stemming from his English background, and his knack for cutting straight to
the truth with a witty, sometimes biting, delivery. He won multiple Chicago/Midwest Emmy® and
Associated Press awards.
Conaty was known in the newsroom for his preparation and institutional knowledge, traits that
allowed him to navigate fast-moving political stories. He developed strong sourcing across
city, state and national levels, which helped him provide timely, accurate information to viewers.
Conaty retired from WFLD in 2009. Following his tenure at WFLD, Conaty continued to apply his
experience in political communication and analysis in roles beyond television news. His
background as a reporter informed a practical, media-savvy approach to messaging, strategy and
public affairs.
Conaty passed away in Arizona in 2024 at age 77, leaving a legacy as an insightful, old-school
reporter who understood the heart of politics.
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Lester Holt
Lester Holt is an award-winning journalist at NBC News and anchor of Dateline NBC. Previously, he
was the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News for a decade, leading NBC
News’ coverage of major breaking news and political events, including presidential elections and
debates. Holt has served as principal anchor of Dateline since September 2011.
Holt built the foundation of his distinguished career in local news. He began his journalism career
in radio before moving into television. After working at stations in California and New York, Holt
arrived in Chicago in 1986 to join WBBM-TV, the CBS-owned station in Chicago. At WBBM, Holt
anchored afternoon and evening newscasts. Over the next 14 years, he became one of the city’s
most respected and recognizable news figures. He left WBBM to become anchor at MSNBC.
One of Holt’s trademarks is his on-the-ground reporting and his deep commitment to providing
viewers with first-person accounts when disaster and tragedy strike. He has reported from around
the world including; from Israel following the Oct. 7th attack as the only broadcast news anchor
on the ground during the first two weeks of the war; Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022;
Tehran, Iran in 2019, where he received rare access and interviewed top diplomats and the Iranian
Foreign Minister; Manchester, Brussels and Paris following the 2017 terrorist attacks that took
place across Europe; and Hungary during the 2015 migrant crisis in Europe.
Throughout his tenure as anchor of NBC Nightly News, Holt conducted numerous exclusive
headline-making interviews with world leaders, U.S. presidents, CEOs, politicians, notable public
figures and more. Holt also covered dozens of natural disasters including wildfires,
deadly hurricanes and tornadoes. He was also embedded with U.S. forces reporting on the
ongoing military operations in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2012.
Holt has been recognized with numerous honors, including multiple Chicago/Midwest Emmy®
Awards, the National Press Club Fourth Estate Award, the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime
Achievement Award, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, the Quinnipiac
University’s Fred Friendly First Amendment Award and more. In 2022, he was inducted into the
National Association of Broadcasters, the same year NBC Nightly News received the 2022 Edward
R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. He received the 2025 William Allen White National Citation
from the University of Kansas in April, just one month before his induction into the Chicago/
Midwest Chapter’s Silver Circle.
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Edie Kasten
Edie Kasten loves to write, loves to listen and loves helping people tell their stories. She began her
career in journalism at the ripe old age of 11, working on every student publication she could. Along
the way, she developed a quiet tenacity, determined to succeed despite any obstacles.
In college, she won several awards and fell in love with television during an internship with John
Callaway at WTTW-TV. After graduation, it was on to the Chicago Tribune’s suburban division and then
a job in community affairs at WMAQ-TV.
She has been a news writer and special projects producer at CBS News Chicago since 1982. Edie has
covered everything from gangs to gardening… education to ethics and medicine to marathons. She
currently writes and produces “Eye on Chicago,” a segment she created to highlight good people
doing good things. She also co-produces “Stories to Tell,” a Chicago/Midwest Emmy® award-winning
documentary series.
The best part for Edie is really getting to know the people in her stories, many of whom have become
friends. There was Kzito Kalima who survived genocide in Rwanda and dedicates his life to helping
other victims of trauma. She met the Chavez family; a father, mother and daughter who have woven
the simple act of making kites into a family tradition they share with others. She is greatly
influenced by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist John H. White, whose motto is “Keep in Flight.”
Edie loves when her stories truly make a difference; when a viewer sees a piece on a non-profit and is
moved to make a donation; when the daughter of an 85-year-old artist writes to say the profile of her
dad made him so happy. Edie says that’s what it’s all about for her.
Edie has nine Chicago/Midwest Emmy® Awards and in 1988, she was a William Benton Fellow at the
University of Chicago, one of 12 journalists chosen from around the world. She has won a Cardinal’s
Communications Award from Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, a Salute to Excellence Award from the
National Association of Black Journalists, a Silver Dome Award from the Illinois Broadcasters
Association, two Gold Bell Awards from the Mental Health Association in Illinois and several national
and local awards for stories on issues facing people with disabilities.
Edie is a member of the Board of Governors of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has taught Broadcast News Writing at Loyola
University, Chicago.
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Jim Mastri
James (Jim) Mastri was the kind of journalist who rolled up his sleeves and rose to the occasion.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, he arrived at WLS-TV to interview for a freelance
photographer position. As the day’s unprecedented events unfolded, the only question news
manager C.C. Boggiano had time to ask was, “Can you stay and edit?” Jim stayed—and never left.
A natural storyteller and keen observer, Jim discovered his love of journalism while working at the
radio and television station at Maine East High School in Park Ridge. He later studied
broadcasting at the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism.
Early in his career, Jim worked as a news photographer at KCRG in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; WREX in
Rockford, Illinois; and WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina. At WIS he covered his first hurricane,
developing a passion for telling the stories of people impacted by the storm. He later became
Chief Photographer at WNCN-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he also traveled to Moldova
with a group delivering medical supplies.
At WLS-TV, Jim returned to his native Chicago and won multiple regional Emmy® Awards. Known
for elevating the visual impact of any story, he covered major news and sports events around the
world with calm and skill. Among the countries he was fortunate enough to visit during his storied
career were Cuba, Russia, Mexico and Denmark to name a few.
Outside the newsroom, Jim enjoyed brewing beer at home and receiving high reviews from friends
lucky enough to receive a bottle. Believing that you’re never too old to learn, he earned his MBA in
2022 from Bellevue University. His wife, Michelle, and sons, Nicholas and Michael, remain proud
of his many accomplishments and the honor of his induction into Chicago’s Silver Circle.
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Kenny McReynolds
Five-time Chicago/Midwest Emmy® Award–winning broadcaster Kenny McReynolds began his
career at WVON Radio in Chicago, later serving as sports director at WGCI-FM, WBMX-FM, and
WVAZ-FM.
He transitioned to television as a weekend sports anchor and reporter at WFLD–Fox 32 in
Chicago. He also worked as a morning sports anchor at WCIU-TV and co-hosted the popular
sports program Time Out on WTTW/PBS Chicago.
Known widely as “Coach,” McReynolds was an assistant basketball coach at DePaul University
under Hall of Fame coach Ray Meyer. He later worked in the NBA as a scout for the Orlando
Magic, Charlotte Bobcats and Golden State Warriors.
Currently, McReynolds serves as sports director for WWME-WCIU-TV and is a leading voice in high
school sports, providing color commentary for live football and basketball broadcasts.
His previous roles include reporting for the Big Ten Network, CN100 and Comcast Network, and
serving as a host on The Reporters on Marquee Sports Network.
Through his longstanding show CPS Sports Edition, McReynolds has interviewed notable figures
including Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Andre Dawson, Common, Tom Ricketts and Carl
Weathers. His political interviews include Chicago mayors Richard M. Daley, Rahm Emanuel,
Lori Lightfoot and Brandon Johnson, as well as then-Senator Barack Obama.
A dedicated advocate for young athletes, McReynolds mentors students and assists them in
securing opportunities, often going beyond expectations to support their personal and
professional growth.
His contributions have been widely recognized. Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn declared
February 18, 2013, as “Kenny McReynolds Day” and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot proclaimed
February 11, 2023, in his honor following his broadcast of 2,500 high school events. His honors
include the 2026 Pitch & Hit Club Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2024 NABJ Sam Lacy Award,
and induction into multiple halls of fame.
An avid reader and sports memorabilia collector, his most prized item is his extensive collection
of M&M dispensers.
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Dan Roan
Dan Roan’s 45-year broadcast career began at Illinois State University where he was a scholarship
athlete majoring in English. During winter break in 1974, Roan heard that ISU’s student-run station
needed holiday help and would offer cash in return.Intrigued (and broke), Roan joined the TV-10
crew. Before the next semester began, Roan had changed majors and was all in with television.
After a run as TV-10’s sportscaster and an internship at WEEK in Peoria, it was time to look for a
real job. Armed with a couple of film cameras, Roan became the Decatur correspondent for
WCIA-TV in Champaign. Soon he was offered the weekend sportscaster position and shortly there
after was promoted to weekdays. Roan became part of WCIA’s announcer teams for University of
Illinois football and basketball broadcasts. WCIA belonged to the Chicago Cubs broadcast
network, and Cubs flagship WGN borrowed Roan to report on Cubs spring training. In 1983, WGN
offered Roan a full-time sports position, and he headed to Chicago.
It was the opportunity of a lifetime. The Cubs won the NL Central division in 1984, their first post-
season appearance in 39 years, and the Bears won Super Bowl XX two years later. Roan was
sports anchor/reporter for WGN’s newscasts, but there was so much more. In the broadcast
booth, Roan called everything from college football in Notre Dame’s 1988 championship season to
a Mike Tyson fight at old Alumni Hall in Lincoln Park.
He did play-by-play for many teams, including the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, along with DePaul and
Notre Dame basketball. When WGN teamed up with the Chicago Blackhawks, Roan was there for
pregame, postgame and intermission duties. He won multiple Chicago/Midwest Emmy® Awards
for play-by-play and studio work, and for feature coverage of a golf tournament held under the
midnight sun in Iceland.
A native of Keokuk, Iowa, Roan was a five-sport letterman in high school. That led him to Illinois
State, where he met his wife, Debby. They married in 1977 and are now the proud parents of three
boys and loving grandparents to four.
Roan is a member of the TV-10 Hall of Fame, the ISU Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame and the ISU
Athletics Hall of Fame. He serves on the ISU School of Communication advisory board, and calls
ISU basketball games for ESPN+. An avid golfer, Roan is also a director for the Chicago District
Golf Association.
Chicago
Silver Circle Honoree
Phil Rogers
Growing up in Oklahoma, the news was always on in Phil Rogers’ household, and the family
watched every space shot, every political convention, and every evening newscast on NBC.
So it’s appropriate he would spend his entire 31-year television career with NBC in Chicago!
During his over three decades with NBC5, Phil reported from across Chicagoland, throughout the
United States and around the world. Those assignments included stories from the shattered
Pentagon in the aftermath of 9/11, from aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt en route to
Afghanistan, and two months in Kuwait and Iraq at the outbreak of the Gulf War.
His stories ran the gamut from politics, to government, to crime and punishment issues. In 2017,
Phil reported the first interview from prison with former governor Rod Blagojevich. He also
reported extensively from Washington during the impeachment of President Clinton, and on the
Operation Safe Road investigation of the administration of former governor George Ryan.
Phil also reported extensively on aviation. He flew with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at their
California training base, jumped with the Army Golden Knights, and showed viewers how to fly the
Space Shuttle at the astronaut training center in Houston. He reported from the nuclear
submarine USS Chicago at sea in the Pacific, as well as the aircraft carriers USS Theodore
Roosevelt en route to Bosnia and the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Persian Gulf. Phil also covered
Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic Games, and reported from the Games in Beijing, London and
Vancouver.
At the time of his retirement in 2022, he had spent a dozen years assigned to the station’s
investigative unit. Prior to his career at NBC, Phil spent 14 years at WBBM Newsradio in Chicago.
He graduated with a degree in Journalism and Broadcasting from Oklahoma State University in
1977 and began his broadcasting career at KVRO in his hometown of Stillwater, and at KOMA in
Oklahoma City.
Phil earned and shared 22 regional Chicago/Midwest Emmy® Awards, and a national Emmy® for
the scandal at Burr Oak Cemetery. In 2026, he was elected to the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of
Fame. Phil’s wife Candace was a producer at NBC 5. He has two daughters, Jessica and Emily.