Jo Horwood

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT JO HORWOOD

I’m a broadcast journalist with a background that’s a little unconventional, and that’s exactly what shapes how I tell stories today. Before stepping into newsrooms, I spent several years building a career in retail sales and management, learning how to connect with people, think quickly, and lead under pressure. Despite finding early success in my working life, I knew I wanted to be in broadcast journalism. It was just a matter of getting here. At the time, there were no broadcasting degree programs available in Calgary. Eventually, I decided to drop the \'broadcast\' and apply to the journalism program at Mount Royal University.But fate intervened; when I went to apply, I found MRU\'s then-new Broadcast Media Studies degree. University sharpened my storytelling skills and pushed me to create opportunities for others. As part of the first cohort in the degree, I founded the Society of Broadcasting and planned regular networking events and panels, helping peers (myself included) build meaningful connections in a competitive industry. I later interned at CBC News Network in Toronto, where I learned a lot about chasing, including an exclusive interview on a nationwide manhunt, and, for six weeks, how to stretch a budget creatively (including briefly giving up meat, which is a bit easier when you\'re an Albertan in Ontario, anyway). My on-air career began at CityNews in Calgary as a weekend traffic reporter on 660 AM and evening producer for CityNews Calgary at Six, where I developed a strong foundation in breaking news with few resources. In December 2021, I joined CBC News Calgary, and since then I’ve made it a point to say “yes” to every opportunity—whether that’s reporting, anchoring, or figuring out the technical side of visual storytelling. Today, I’m a regular on CBC Calgary\'s visual platforms, with occasional appearances on CBC News Network and The National. So far, my career highlights include leading The National with coverage of Calgary’s severe E. coli outbreak, filling in as anchor for local broadcasts, and helping ring in the new year as part of CBC’s inaugural, record-breaking New Year’s Eve 2025 special, which was streamed nationwide. As a video journalist, I’m especially interested in stories that connect communities, relate to people, and make complex issues more accessible. I am passionate about my work, keeping the public informed, and the people that are at the heart of both this city, and our stories.