Serving as our inaugural profile, Libby Leist perfectly embodies the idea behind MV Roots: highlighting people born and bred here who are doing remarkable things beyond the region, yet still proudly calling the Mohawk Valley home.
She has a big job. As Executive Vice President of TODAY & Lifestyle, Libby leads the TODAY brand, which includes TODAY, TODAY.com, and the streaming channel TODAY All Day, all part of NBC News.
It’s easy to recognize her work. Libby has traveled the globe producing content we’ve all watched, covering the Olympics, presidential town halls, presidential debates, and interviews with President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other household names. Today, she oversees it all.
Her husband once described her as “a busy city girl in a busy job.” That is undoubtedly true, but despite her demanding schedule, Libby was willing to sit down with Mohawk Valley Living and let the place she once called home get to know her a little better. She is as outstanding as the Daytime Emmy Award she earned for Outstanding Morning Show. Here’s our conversation.
When I asked you to be the inaugural feature for MV Roots, your reply was: “This is such a nice offer. I’d love to do it.” May I ask what made you respond so positively?
I am very grateful to be able to make a connection to a place I love so much. I am excited to share how much I loved growing up in the New Hartford/Utica area and why it holds a special place in my heart.
Growing up in the Mohawk Valley, what is the one specific lesson or value from this community that you still carry into NBC every day?
The Mohawk Valley community that I know is hard-working, family-oriented, kind and spirited. I think about the times I’ve run the Boilermaker (not enough lately though!) and looking out into the crowds of people cheering and rooting on the runners. The spirit of the Mohawk Valley shines through that day.
Did you have some sort of epiphany that led you to news or some specific experience that made you think it might be your path?
We were an NBC family growing up. My parents always had the TODAY Show and NBC Nightly News on. I remember my mom telling me in the early ‘90s that she thought Katie Couric (who was just starting at NBC) would be a star, and she was right! I also remember watching Willard Scott do the weather. It was such an iconic time at the TODAY show.
I also grew up watching sports with my brothers and parents. We followed Syracuse football and basketball, the New York Giants, and the Yankees. I always dreamed about working in sports or being a sports reporter—I was drawn to live events and the excitement around them—so I think that was a huge spark for me.
I worked at WKTV as an intern in 1996, the summer before my senior year of college. I enjoyed meeting the legend Bill Worden and got a taste of a newsroom for the first time.
Looking back, was there a specific local mentor, teacher, or family connection who encouraged something in you that helped build your career? What was the trait or talent?
During my senior year at Cornell, I was lucky enough to meet with Shell Storrier, the general manager of WKTV. Mr. Storrier put me in touch with a relative in the NBC News Washington, D.C., bureau to see what job openings they had. They were full at the time, but later that summer they were hiring for desk assistant positions and I applied. I was hired in July 2001. I’ve now been at NBC for 25 years!
I always encourage young people to network as much as possible and look for opportunities—even if jobs are not open. It’s always valuable to get your name in the mix.
Where do you think your work ethic comes from?
My parents. They are both hard-working dedicated people and they modeled that for me. I’ve always understood that you have to put work in to get results—I credit my parents for that!
How do you describe the Mohawk Valley when people ask where you’re from?
Is it bad that I always start with the weather? It’s cold, snowy, and sometimes the sun doesn’t come out for long stretches, BUT I think it builds the character of the place! The Mohawk Valley is full of personality and life. The people are hard-working, family-oriented, and spirited.
When you pull back into town, what do you look forward to doing?
Utica Coffee! I even gave out their mugs in our wedding gift bags
I also love returning to my childhood home. Our family has lived there for 40 years, and it holds so many memories. I got married there in 2022. I love being home.
Do you have a favorite spot where you go to decompress?
I love hiking the trails near Hamilton College or watching my nieces and nephew play sports.
If you were giving a friend or colleague a tour of the area, what are one or two “hidden gems” you’d want them to visit?
Matt’s Brewery and the Boilermaker route—iconic!
Outside of your mother’s kitchen, where do you go for a meal when you’re home?
Ventura’s Restaurant. Ventura’s is a staple of our community, and it happens to be run by my sister-in-law, Nina, and her family. I have so many memories of family dinners there over the years. It’s a place that feels like home.
Is there a specific “hometown” food that you look forward to, can’t find anywhere else, and brag about to people outside the area?
Obviously, the Hemstrought’s half-moon cookies. 🙂
At a time when couples opt for destination weddings, what made you want to get married in the Mohawk Valley?
It was my husband’s idea initially. He loved our childhood home and said, “We should get married here!”
I knew it would be a big undertaking for my parents, but they said yes. I loved the idea of celebrating with family and friends in a place that means so much to me.
What did the Today team think of our home when they visited? Any specific reactions or comments that stand out?
They loved the wedding at our house and were charmed by the tent put together by my mom.
I also heard a lot of positive comments about the old-school charm of the Sadaquada Golf Club, where we had our rehearsal dinner.
And, the Breakaway Lounge was a breakaway hit. Everyone loved the after-party there.
I probably owe Al Roker for taking photos with every single one of our relatives. 🙂
If you could broadcast one message to the people living in the Mohawk Valley, what would it be?
Thank you for being a wonderful place to grow up—and to return to often!
