Wendy Ann Burch is an American television journalist, advocate and professional writer. Burch has been awarded six Emmy Awards from the Television Academy, as well as an Excellence in Journalism Award from the Alliance of Women in Media. Burch has worked at number of local news stations in major television markets throughout the United States. She is currently a correspondent for the award-winning KTLA Morning News in Los Angeles, and is one of the most-recognized reporters in the Los Angeles area; the second-largest media market in the country.
Early life
Wendy Burch was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Five days after her birth, she was given up for adoption by her biological mother and placed with her adoptive parents; James Dean Burch, a purchasing manager for a manufacturing company, and Carol Ann, a homemaker and part-time ‘lunch lady’ at a local school cafeteria. Her adoption process was handled through the Social Services division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her adoptive family was active in the LDS religion and Burch was raised under a Mormon upbringing. Burch attended public schools in Sandy, Utah, including: Alta View Elementary, Eastmont Middle School, and Alta High School, where she was a member of the student council and head varsity Songleader. Her varsity squad competed in the National Cheerleaders Association Championships and was a top ten finalist in 1986. She graduated from Brigham Young University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast Journalism.
Major television markets
In October 2009, Burch joined the award-winning KTLA Morning News. As a valuable contributor, Burch has delivered thousands for live reports; everything from breaking news, to entertainment reporting to light-hearted features. During her time at KTLA, Burch's reporting was recognized by the Television Academy with five Emmy Awards for her contribution to the Best Daily Morning Newscast in the Los Angeles Area. In 2011, Burch received the Gracie award from The American Women of Radio & Television for her work on “The Baby Plan” series, which personally chronicled Burch's efforts to get pregnant over the age of 40. She was twice recognized by the Southern California Alliance for Women in Media. First in 2010, with the Genii Inspiration Award, and then again in 2017, as the recipient of the Excellence in Journalism Award. Because of the live and unpredictable nature of the KTLA Morning News, Burch, on occasion, also became an unintended viral sensation with her reports being viewed millions of times.
Other work
Aside from her work in front of the camera, Burch is also a professional media trainer to some of the world's top athletes. In 2005, she founded BIG Crowd Communications; a company designed specifically to provide media training to elite athletes and sports executives.
Charitable work & advocacy
Burch is also involved in many philanthropic efforts and is the driving force behind FUN-lanthropy, a movement encouraging people to put the ‘fun’ into charity work. In July 2015, she began consulting with various non-profit organizations across the country on ways to improve the ‘fun-factor’ at their charity events. The movement also promotes ways individuals can become FUN-lanthropists, by organizing FUN-raising events on behalf of their favorite charities. Burch's philanthropic expertise comes from her years of giving back. In 2006, Burch founded The Good News Foundation, a non-profit organization that recognized and rewarded remarkable individuals and organizations making ‘good news’ in Greater Los Angeles. Under Burch's direction and vision, the foundation grew into one of Los Angeles’ premier charities. She spearheaded the philanthropic efforts from 2006 to 2014 and, during that time, The Good News Foundation gave away more than 1.5 million dollars in grants, gifts and in-kind donations. Additionally, Burch is an outspoken advocate for women struggling with fertility issues. She publicly chronicled her own pregnancy journey after the age of 40, and candidly discussed her decision to use a donor egg to ensure a successful pregnancy at the age of 46. Burch is an advocate for egg freezing and her voice has been instrumental in encouraging other women to seek out fertility treatments and alternatives.
Personal life
Burch was in relationships with Charlie Monfort, owner of the Colorado Rockiesmajor league baseball team, as well as Joe Maloof, President of Maloof Companies and owner of the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was briefly engaged to Bruce Taylor, who is the biological father to her son Brady. The couple ended their relationship shortly after Burch became pregnant. Burch gave birth to her son, Brady Taylor Burch, in Santa Monica, California in January 2015; just three weeks before she turned 46 years old. She resides in Los Angeles, California where she raises her son as a single mom.
