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Meaghan Mooney ’06

Rise and Shine

Meaghan Mooney never imagined her work would bring her to this moment: broadcasting her own blind date to the viewers of the Everyday morning show in Denver. But this February, there she was. Five years after graduating URI with a degree in textile marketing, Mooney had a thriving career in brand development at Allure magazine in New York, but she found herself uninspired. “I realized I didn’t want to work at a desk anymore,” she says. Never one to wait around for opportunity to knock, she began freelancing as a stylist and brand consultant to build her experience, while taking classes in improv and on-camera skills. When The Rhode Show held its annual contest for a morning co-host in 2012, Mooney’s initiative and hard work paid off—and paved the way to her post in 2014 as a fill-in host and lifestyle reporter for FOX31.

Which brings us back to the blind date. In just one year, Mooney found a niche creating fun, informative segments on everything from unique boutiques and eateries to fashion trends and the local dating scene, drawing on the business background and style expertise—plus go-getter spirit—that set her apart. This summer, her work caught the attention of producers in D.C., who brought her on board for their new Great Day Washington morning show, premiering this month. Her secret to success is simple: “Work your butt off, be hungry, help everybody, stay late,” she says. “There is always a later happy hour.”

—Nicole Maranhas