Sandra Maas

Sandra Lynn Maas was born on January 13, 1963, raised in Mission Viejo, California. Her father, Frank Maas, owned a window tinting business and her mother, Dorothea (Brockman) Maas, was an elementary school principal. She graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Chico, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications in 1985. During college, Maas worked as a news anchor for KCHO Chico and KPAY radio, Redding. She transitioned to television during her senior year in college, serving as weeknight co-anchor at ABC affiliate, KRCR-TV.[3]

In 1986, Maas moved to NBC affiliate KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo, California, where she co-anchored the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts. Maas also served as the station's medical reporter at the start of the AIDS crisis, earning a Golden Mike Award for her on-air work.[3] In 1990, Maas relocated to San Diego and CBS Affiliate KFMB-TV, where she co-anchored News 8 at 4pm with Mitch Duncan.[4] In addition, she served as the station's medical reporter and worked for CBS Newspath as a national medical correspondent.[5] During this time, Maas was also a regular fill-in on the Jeff and Jer Morning Show on Star 94.1.[6] In 1993, she had a bit part in the CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless, playing the role of nurse Sally Winslow.[7] In 2001, Maas was part of a mass exodus that left KFMB-TV when it severed ties with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.[8][9] She resigned after an unsuccessful contract renegotiation.[10] In 2002, Maas was a freelance journalist for Fox affiliate XETV in San Diego.[11] In 2004, Maas moved to KUSI-TV, serving first as a co-anchor on Good Morning San Diego and in 2006 adding host duties for the lifestyle show Inside San Diego with Andrea Naversen.[12][13] In 2009, she became weeknight co-anchor of The KUSI News at 6 and 10pm with Allen Denton.

Maas has been mistress of ceremonies of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards since 1993. She also volunteers as Mistress of Ceremonies or moderator for several non-profit organization events.[14] On June 25, 2019 Maas filed a lawsuit alleging discriminatory practices by KUSI-TV and station General Manager Mike McKinnon Jr. in particular.[15] She claims she was abruptly terminated for attempting to open a dialogue about compensation.

In 2020 Maas joined the board of the “Women’s Museum of California” in San Diego and launched “Trailblazing Women,” a video series for the Women’s Museum of California, where she serves on the board as Vice President of External Affairs.[16][17]

Sandra Maas during a live interview.

Sandra Maas emceeing Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

Maas has been nominated for 13 regional Emmy awards.[2] In 2011, she received an Associated Press Mark Twain Award for her contribution to “Oxy: What Your Kids Aren’t Telling You,” and a San Diego Press Club Award for investigative reporting.[18] She has also received a Golden Mike and has been inducted into The Silver Circle of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.[19] In 2016 Maas was honored as a "Woman of Dedication" by the Salvation Army for her philanthropic work.[20]

Maas served as moderator for the Greater San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Congressional Delegation debate.[21] She has also hosted The San Diego County District Attorney's "The National Crime Vigil."[22]

She has hosted or acted as mistress of ceremonies for fundraisers for the Salvation Army, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The ARC-San Diego, and Rady Children's Hospital (where she serves on the auxiliary board).[23][24][25]

Media related to Sandra Maas at Wikimedia Commons