In 1970, Riisna's first job in network television in America was the executive producer of a new morning program, "Woman", for the CBS station in New York.
The appointment made her one of the first women to create and produce a television news program.
[4][5] Over the course of the next two decades she produced a series of Emmy Award winning stories,[6] many Barbara Walter’s high profile interviews [7] (Margaret Thatcher, Boris Yeltsen,[7] Nancy Reagan, Barbra Streisand [8] and others.)
Her subjects included an investigation of the effects of the use Agent Orange in Vietnam and the story of the Zumwalt family.
[9][10] Riisna also produced and directed documentary films for ABC News with anchor Peter Jennings as host.