Sonya Gavankar is an award winning television personality who can be seen hosting programs on ABC and CBS affiliates, PBS, BGTV, and MHz Networks. Her career has spanned diverse programs from international food shows to hard news. Ms Gavankar serves as the face of the Newseum by hosting live interview programs, appearing in video installations, video blogs and game shows. She brings a cohesive voice to the Newseum’s 250,000 square feet of exhibit and interactive programming.

She is also a regular contributor to All Things Fashion DC, Be Inkandescent and Red Tricycle magazines.

In her free time Ms. Gavankar goes behind the camera. Her photography has been shown in several Washington area galleries and she is a casting director for independent films.

Sonya is a social change leader on collaborative missions in the community. She served for 5 years as the President of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation in Washington, D.C. During her tenure she doubled the participation of high school students from the district by offering training to hundreds of students annually. In 2012 Sonya was recognized by the Envest Foundation as one of 40 Under 40 for her professional and philanthropic works in Washington, DC. In 1997 she represented Washington, D.C. in the Miss America Pageant and for a decade produced the annual Miss D.C. Pageant.

She serves on the board of the HOBY, The Miss District of Columbia Organization, Ladies Americaand the Envest Foundation.

Ms. Gavankar holds a degree in broadcast journalism from The American University.