Today contributor Donna Farizan exits Jenna & Friends after 12 years: 'I've had the ride of a lif...

Farizan first joined the program as a 20yearold intern. Today contributor Donna Farizan exits Jenna & Friends after 12 years: 'I've had the ride of a lifetime'

Farizan first joined the program as a 20-year-old intern.

Today contributor Donna Farizan exits Jenna & Friends after 12 years: 'I've had the ride of a lifetime'

Farizan first joined the program as a 20-year-old intern.

By Shania Russell

September 8, 2025 1:54 p.m. ET

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Donna Farizan departs 'Today with Jenna & Friends'. Credit:

Donna Farizan is saying an emotional farewell to her *Today* family.

On Monday, the longtime *Jenna & Friends* contributor and correspondent announced she is leaving the show to pursue new opportunities. Joining hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie on the couch, Farizan grew teary while sharing the bittersweet news.

"A year ago, I launched a series called* Own Your Power, *where I challenged myself to speak my truth," she began. "And now, after 12 years with *Today*, I'm challenging myself to spread my wings beyond the show to see what new and exciting opportunities await me professionally. But before I do, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my time here and the lessons learned but writing a lesson."

The program then launched into a package that included Farizan reading a letter to herself, accompanied by clips of her 12 years going from a *Today* intern to a contributor.**

Donna Farizan, Savannah Guthrie, and Jenna Bush Hager on 'Today' on June 10, 2019.

Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

"The time has come to start my next chapter. The unknown can be scary, but it's also exhilarating, so let's embrace it," she told herself. "Since I started college and had my heart set on television internships, I didn't know where the road would lead, but I knew to follow my curiosity and spark. I created a path that taught me lessons that expanded my growth as a human being."

She continued, "Everywhere I turn surrounding the perimeter of 30 Rock, I'm reminded of ways in which I've pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. Now it's time to do that again. Because that's how you grow — and I yearn to grow."

Along with offering herself advice about the next big chapter in her career, Farizan made sure to celebrate the years she spent at *Today* and the talent she worked alongside.

"The world of TV and content can sometimes feel overwhelming because there is no roadmap, but I am so grateful to have gone to the school of Kathie Lee Gifford, the school of Hoda Kotb, and the school of Jenna Bush Hager," she said. "Because now, it's time for me, Donna Farizan, to create my own map."

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She added that along with the friendships made at *Today*, she will also treasure the time spent with "the remarkable viewers who tune in everyday and motivate all of us to own our power."**

Farizan first joined the show as an intern at just 20 years old, while attending college at George Washington University in D.C. After graduating a year later, she joined *Today* full time and stuck with the show through some of its biggest changes, including the departures of Gifford and Kotb.

Donna Farizan departs 'Today' eight months after Hoda Kotb.

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

As a *Jenna & Friends* correspondent, Farizan hosted many of the show's games and contributed to stories. With her program *Own Your Power, *Farizan delved into the idea of pushing past one's fear and taking control of life. The series saw her embrace various new experiences and speak candidly about leaving her comfort zone: she tried everything from learning to ride a bike to freezing her eggs to trying a matchmaking service.

***Sign up for **'s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.*****

Farizan's final broadcast concluded with the cast and crew coming together to bid her an emotional farewell.

"We love you. Our whole staff has joined because you are part of our family," Bush Hager said. "You will always be part of our family. As you said, this is your home. You are welcome back whenever, but we cannot wait to see what the future has in store for you."

Farizan then thanked Bush Hager for teaching her "that being myself is enough" and also heaped praise on Guthrie for being a role model throughout her journey as a journalist.

"I also wanna say, to everyone here, I uniquely know how hard everyone works at carrying out this *Today* show legacy, because I have had the dream of dreams to be a cohost," Farizan said. "I have been a producer, I have been in the control room, and I've had the ride of a lifetime as your correspondent."**

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