About – Legislative Secretary Sabrina Salas Matanane

Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane was born on Guam on April 23, 1971, into a family committed to service. Her father, Noberto Aguigui Salas, was a retired Senior Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, and her mother, Lolita Palomo Abelon Salas, worked as a federal civil service employee. Their dedication to hard work and community shaped Sabrina’s path.

Growing up as a military child, Sabrina traveled to different places but eventually returned to Guam, where she attended Agat Elementary School and Dededo Middle School. She later moved to Oklahoma, graduating with honors from Del City High School in 1989. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1994. During college, she gained early journalism experience anchoring the university’s news program, Network Norman, and interning at KOCO5 in Oklahoma City.

Sabrina started her journalism career as an Associate Producer for KWTV9 (CBS) in Oklahoma City, where she covered major events, including the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. But the pull of home brought her back to Guam, where she joined Guam Cable News in 1996. She reported on major stories like the arrival of Kurdish evacuees at Andersen Air Force Base, the Korean Air Flight 801 crash, and Super Typhoon Paka, with her work even making it to CNN. She also anchored Saipan Cable News, becoming a trusted journalist in the region.

In 1998, Sabrina joined KUAM Pacific Telestations, Inc., where she became one of the most recognized journalists in Guam. She worked as a Producer, Anchor, Reporter, News Director, Executive Producer, and Managing Director. Over the years, she covered historic events, including former President Bill Clinton’s visit to Guam in 1998 and Typhoon Pongsona in 2002. She also played a key role in exposing the illegal sweatshop conditions in the CNMI garment industry.

For nearly 30 years, Sabrina was a trusted voice in Guam, leading KUAM’s transformation into a global digital media platform. She launched the KUAM Podcast Network, including her own podcast, Crimes Without Conviction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she created the “Containing COVID” morning show, later renamed “The Link,” providing crucial updates for the community. Before leaving KUAM in 2022, she also launched “The Hotspot,” a midday multimedia show that connected Guamanians worldwide.

Sabrina’s leadership earned her many awards, including the Micronesia Society of Professional Journalists’ “Journalist of the Year” in 2002. Under her direction, KUAM won nine Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in journalism, including coverage on War Reparations for Guam and innovative digital reporting.

Beyond journalism, Sabrina has always been committed to community service. She has hosted and produced events for many charities and, in 2022, made the leap into politics, running for Lt. Governor of Guam with Congressman Michael San Nicolas. After the election, she transitioned to the private sector, working as a Business Development, Marketing, and Public Relations Manager for a local construction company. Her efforts have contributed to securing multi-million dollar contracts for the company in a short period of time.

She continued to serve the community as a board member for the Guam Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction and a member of the Guam Spirit Lions Club. One of her latest projects, the podcast “Tohge Talks,” highlighted the work of non-profit organizations supporting substance abuse recovery.

Sabrina Salas Matanane’s life is defined by hard work, innovation, and a deep commitment to Guam and its people.