Brunner worked at WCIA-TV Champaign-Urbana, IL, WTVT-TV Tampa, FL, and WCVB-TV, Boston, MA where she served as a main news anchor and reporter.
Brunner was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Mary (née Chacko) Russell, a retired medical social worker, and Rev.
[citation needed] In 1985, Brunner took her first job in television at the CBS affiliate WCIA-TV in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, serving as community relations coordinator.
After five years in Tampa, Brunner was hired by WCVB-TV, Channel 5, the ABC affiliate in Boston, as correspondent and fill-in anchor for its news magazine show, Chronicle.
The show has received accolades, from both guests and media, earning her over a half dozen Communicator Awards for "Best Host", "Best Lifestyle Podcast", among others.
[6] The memoir follows Brunner's career journey along with the challenges faced and impactful lessons she learned through her upbringing and being a woman in her field.