In September 2023, INMA awarded 30 young professionals around the world with its fourth “30 Under 30” award as part of its Young Professionals Initiative. This is the 25th in a series of 30 features about the impressive rising media stars who are shaping our industry. 

As a news producer covering stories in the United States for a German media company, Nicola Wenz interviews high-ranking politicians in Washington, D.C. It’s a prestigious role for ZDF Germany’s youngest news producer, and one she never expected to find herself in:

“I never understood politics — never wanted to, either. Now, I cannot go to sleep without reading Politico’s West Wing Playbook.”

Nicola has landed big interviews that have eluded other, larger broadcast organisations, taking on such controversial topics as Tennessee drag queens and bunkers in South Dakota. The acting and improvisation classes she took in college now help her as she covers breaking news:

“Five years ago, I thought I was going to be a stand-up comedian,” she said. Today, Nicola is eager to see where her interest in politics and news will take her.

Her stories have gained some of the station’s highest viewership numbers, and she has impressed those around her with her tenacity and talent.

“She works alongside the country’s top news network in and around the Capitol and White House,” said Benjamin Daniel, bureau correspondent. “She is an excellent producer and a brilliant journalist who asks all the right questions.”

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