MELISSA FRANCIS

JOURNALIST

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DIRECTOR

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BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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Writer

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Executive Producer

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JOURNALIST - DIRECTOR - BESTSELLING AUTHOR - Writer - Executive Producer -

We were often IN DANGER - FROM BALLISTIC MISSILE STRIKES TO ENCOUNTERS WITH TERRORISTS- BUT FEAR RARELY ENTERED MY MIND. I WAS TOO CONSUMED BY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WITNESSING WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

SOME STORIES DEMAND TO BE TOLD. THIS FELT LIKE ONE OF THEM.

-MELISSA FRANCIS

Melissa Francis spent the last few decades chasing breaking news around the globe, from Caracas to Vienna to an aircraft carrier in the hostile waters off Iran, before settling into the anchor chair, first at CNBC and MSNBC, then crossing over to FOX News Channel where she hosted Money with Melissa Francis, After the Bell, and the often bloody political debate show, Outnumbered.

During her tenure at FOX, Melissa penned articles for print outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal, and authored two best-selling books, Lessons from the Prairie andDiary of a Stage Mother’s Daughter, which received praise from The Washington Post, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, The New York Post, Kirkus Reviews, and Publisher’s Weekly.

ABOUT MELISSA

Before embarking on her journalism career, Melissa earned her BA from Harvard with a concentration in Economics, though she started life as a child actor in Hollywood, earning her SAG card on the set of a Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo commercial when she was six months old. Over the next eighteen years, she starred in three motion pictures, was a regular on three television series, and appeared in countless other television productions, and more than one hundred commercials. She is best known as an actress for her role as Michael Landon’s daughter, Cassandra Cooper Ingalls, on Little House on the Prairie.

She now heads her own production company, Sailfish Productions.

Melissa Francis speaks on

Journalism and media

The state of American media and the rise of independent journalism in a digital world. Behind the scenes of FOX News and NBC. Breaking news, anchor culture, and why she left.
WRITING, DIRECTING, AND PRODUCING FILM

Making ‘The Prophet’ and what drew her to Erez Eshel's story. The process of gaining intimate access during wartime. Independent filmmaking and the case for disruptive documentary.
FAITH AND WAR

The life-changing stories she witnessed in the war zone. The ICC accusations and what they mean for democratic nations at war. The intersection of journalism, faith, and moral urgency. The rise of fake news and social media manipulation.
Culture and leadership

Women in media. Storytelling as a tool for change. Leading a production company as an independent creator.