06/16/2026
A Leadership Chapter Closes at ABC7 San Francisco
After more than 14 years guiding the newsroom at ABC7/KGO-TV in San Francisco, longtime News Director Tracey Watkowski Silva has announced her departure from the station.
Her impact on the television industry was recognized in the fall of 2025 when she was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences San Francisco/Northern California Silver Circle, an honor reserved for professionals who have made significant contributions to television, their communities, and the mentoring of future generations.
Watkowski Silva leaves behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, journalism and mentorship in one of the nation’s most competitive television markets. During her tenure at KGO, she helped shape the station’s award-winning news coverage and guided the newsroom through some of the Bay Area’s most significant stories in a rapidly changing broadcast landscape.
Her career has been rooted in the ABC family, including two separate leadership stints at KGO. Prior to returning to San Francisco, she served for five and a half years as News Director at sister ABC owned-and-operated station KFSN-TV in Fresno. Along the way, she held positions at other news organizations, building a career marked by a commitment to strong storytelling and the development of the next generation of journalists.
Colleagues across the industry often speak of Tracey’s professionalism, competitive spirit and dedication to local news. While the Bay Area television landscape has always been fiercely competitive, there remains a deep respect among journalists who share the common mission of serving their communities.
