Zain Verjee – Atlanta, Georgia

Born and brought up in Kenya of Indian parents, Verjee received her undergraduate degree in English from McGill University, Montreal, and studied at York University, Canada, as well.  Zain is a citizen of Canada.  Zain Verjee is CNN’s State Department correspondent based in the network’s Washington, D.C., bureau. Before her assignment to that position in November 2006, Verjee reported on a wide variety of stories, including international news developments for CNN’s The Situation Room.

She previously co-anchored CNN International’s rolling newscast, Your World Today, with Jim Clancy, and hosted the debate program Q&A on that network.Since joining CNN in 2000, Verjee has covered numerous breaking news and world events, such as the India-Pakistan Agra Summit, the conflict in the Middle East, the trial of former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Hajj and the war in Iraq.

In July 2006, she reported from the DMZ, and in September, she conducted an exclusive interview with former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami.Previously, Verjee anchored the prime-time news bulletin and compiled, produced and presented documentaries for the Kenyan Television Network. She also hosted The Third Opinion, a political talk show, and freelanced for the BBC, producing several programs including African Perspectives, a documentary on the de-registration of non-governmental organizations after the U.S. Embassy bombings in East Africa in 1998.Verjee’s journalistic efforts extend beyond the broadcast realm. She recently published Live and On the Air, a children’s book exploring the experiences of a young girl who moves from rural Kenya to Nairobi to work as a broadcaster. Verjee also has produced successful radio campaigns spreading awareness of HIV/AIDS, road safety and violence against women. Her community efforts include work with Street Children and with Operation Smile.Verjee received her undergraduate degree in English from McGill University in Montreal and studied at York University in Canada. She speaks Gujarati, Kiswahili and conversational French.

Source: CNN