Carol Marin Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Carol Marin is a distinguished journalist whose career has spanned over five decades, earning her a reputation as one of Chicago's most respected media figures. Born on Chicago’s South Side and raised in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, she graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Marin began her journalism career in 1972 at WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, before moving to WSM-TV in Nashville, where her investigative reporting contributed to the ouster and indictment of then-Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton. In 1978, she returned to Chicago and joined NBC5 News, where she worked as a reporter and anchor for nearly two decades. In 1997, Marin resigned from NBC5 in protest of the station's decision to give Jerry Springer a commentary segment on the evening news program that she anchored; her co-anchor Ron Magers resigned a few weeks later for the same reason. After leaving NBC5, Marin and producer Don Moseley were hired by CBS News, where she worked as a correspondent for "60 Minutes," "60 Minutes II," and "Evening News with Dan Rather." In 2002, she co-founded Marin Corp Productions, an independent documentary company that produced programs for CNN and The New York Times/Discovery Channel. In 2016, Marin co-founded the Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence at DePaul University with long-time producer Don Moseley. The center was established to prepare the next generation of journalists for successful and ethical careers. Marin served as co-director of the center until 2024 and currently holds the position of Faculty Fellow. Throughout her career, Marin has received numerous accolades for her investigative journalism, including multiple Peabody Awards, national Emmys, and Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Awards. She has also been honored with the Gracie Award from American Women in Radio & Television and the George Polk Award in Journalism. In 2025, she was named a recipient of the Order of Lincoln, the highest honor granted by the state of Illinois for professional achievement and public service. Marin's dedication to journalism extends beyond her reporting and teaching roles. She has been a regular interviewer for public broadcasting on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" and has moderated panels on politics. Through her work at DePaul University and her contributions to the media industry, Marin continues to influence the field of journalism and inspire future generations of reporters.