Octavia Nasr

Octavia Nasr is a veteran journalist, Middle East affairs expert, and social media pioneer, known for her extensive coverage of regional politics and current events across global platforms. After joining CNN in 1990, Octavia Nasr’s career took a significant turn. She initially served as an editor on the international assignment desk, where she coordinated coverage of the first Gulf War. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a prominent on-air and off-air analyst for CNN Worldwide, specializing in Middle East politics, global terrorism, and militant Islam.

In 2005, she reported from Lebanon and Syria on The Cedar Revolution, analyzing its regional impact. During the 2003 Iraq War, Nasr managed a 15-member Arab desk, providing critical insight into Arab media and culture’s perspectives on the conflict. Her innovative approach to integrating social media into newsgathering, including developing the weekly ‘Mideast Voices’ segment and maintaining blogs, earned her recognition as a pioneer in the field. In 2006, she received the Excellence in Journalism award from the Lebanese-American Chamber of Commerce.

Following her departure from CNN in 2010, Octavia Nasr founded Bridges Media Consulting, where she advises broadcasters and individuals on diversity, technology, and social media utilization. Her firm leverages her deep expertise in global news operations and strategic communication to guide clients through evolving media landscapes, helping them navigate complex information environments and connect with diverse audiences. Expanding her professional scope, Nasr earned a Master of Arts degree in Communication in 2022 from Georgia State University, where her research focused on the identity and ethical codes of Yoga. She is also a certified yoga instructor, actively teaching and lecturing in the U.S.

and India, blending her investigative and analytical skills with a focus on well-being and personal development.