Joyce Mitchell
Trustee, San Francisco Northern California Regional Chapter
Passion is what drives Joyce Mitchell. Couple that with more than 40-years of experience as a journalist and Joyce strives to produce memorable TV programs that make a difference in the community, nation, and world. She has five regional Emmy Awards for her documentary work and 20 nominations.
In June, 2017, Joyce was presented the Governors’ Award, the highest award given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) San Francisco/Northern California Chapter. In 2010, she was inducted into the NATAS/SF chapter’s Silver Circle recognizing 25+ years working in the industry. She’s also received the Associated Press California-Nevada Best Documentary award for a program on teens and violence. Joyce is a Governor and Alternate National Trustee for the NATAS/SF Board of Governors.
In 1972, after graduating editor-in-chief of her college newspaper, the second woman to hold the job, Joyce infiltrated the then male-dominated newspaper business, becoming one of two women and the youngest member of the Capitol Press Corp in Sacramento. She helped pioneer political reporting for women in the early and mid 70s.
Joyce left the political arena to pursue a Master’s Degree and accepted an internship at Sacramento NBC Affiliate KCRA. She was hired to produce newscasts and worked 13 years at Channel 3, eight years producing the 11 O’Clock News. She then worked at CBS13 where she stayed 10 years, producing election coverage and other special projects. From there, she went to KVIE Public Television as senior producer. Joyce taught Broadcast Journalism at Sacramento State University for 16 years as adjunct faculty. She has a BA in Government-Journalism and an MA in Communication Studies.
Now an independent television producer, In 2014, Joyce produced the live, statewide, one-hour Gubernatorial Debate between Governor Jerry Brown and Neel Kashkari. She specializes in social cause TV. Documentary projects include:
- Collision Course/Teen Addiction Epidemic (2012 Emmy Award)
- A Choice to Heal/Mental Health in California – with Mariel Hemingway
- Stand and Salute/Our Veterans
- College: Making It Happen – with Edward James Olmos (English & Spanish)
- Dave Brubeck: A Castle’s Song
- AIDS in the 21st Century
- The Journey Ahead/End-of-life
Joyce has traveled to Romania, producing a documentary about the plight of abandoned and orphaned children in Eastern Europe. Though she sometimes tackles difficult topics, she is committed to using TV to raise awareness about important topics.
An HIV/AIDS activist since 1986, Joyce co-founded and chairs the Sacramento non-profit Capital City AIDS Fund. She’s helped bring-in $3-million for the Sacramento HIV/AIDS community and is committed to using television to improve and save lives.
