Brookneal native anchors TV business news

In the current economic climate, it’s easy for consumers to want to avoid the overwhelming world of finance.

But Fox Business network anchor and Virginia native Dagen McDowell takes a different approach. “There are no stupid questions,“ she said.

McDowell credits her career success to her Virginia roots, not her knowledge of the financial system. She grew up in the small town of Brookneal, in Campbell County south of Lynchburg, and moved to Richmond in 10th grade to attend St. Catherine’s School, where she graduated in 1987.

“I knew there was a world out there,“ McDowell said, “and St. Catherine’s gave me the foundation in writing and analytical thought to be successful.“

She went on to graduate from Wake Forest University, then moved to Manhattan, landing a job as a financial journalist at Institutional Investor Magazine.

McDowell said as her experience in business and economic coverage grew, she began to make regular appearances on Fox News. She then worked full time for Fox for six years before taking an anchor position on the Fox Business Channel.

Back in Southside Virginia, McDowell’s hometown had been coping with job loss and economic change long before the rest of the country as tobacco and manufacturing businesses began to disappear. In November, she revisited Brookneal with a camera crew as part of the Fox Business Network’s “Opportunity in America: My Hometown” series.

“It made me reflect on where I came from,“ she said. “Knowing what happened in my town gives me a perspective on personal stories behind all of the business news and job loss.“

But even in this economy, McDowell said she sees hope.

“Americans are great because they can see the light at the end of the tunnel and will work their way out,“ she said. “Ultimately, it’s the people that will turn this nation around.“

Her advice? “You can’t worry about failure before you start.“

As part of the Fox Business Network, McDowell said she works to make business less ominous for the average consumer.

“If I can help make business interesting in the everyday lives of others,“ she said, “I am thankful.“