Andrea Mead Canning was born on December 10, 1972, in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. She attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where she earned a degree in psychology, and later pursued journalism studies at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University). She began her career in Canadian and American television news, working as a reporter and anchor at various stations, including WCPO-TV, WPTV-TV, CKVR-TV (Barrie, Ontario), and WXVT-CBS. 

Canning then joined ABC News in 2004 as a correspondent. During her time at ABC, she contributed to programs such as Good Morning America, 20/20, and World News Tonight. She covered major national stories, including those from the White House, and reported on high-profile trials and breaking news. 

In 2012, Canning joined NBC News as a correspondent for Dateline NBC. She has since become one of the program’s primary contributors, reporting on investigative stories, true-crime cases, and in-depth features. In addition to her journalism work, Canning has built a successful career as a television movie screenwriter, writing numerous films for Hallmark Channel and Lifetime. 

In her personal life, Canning is married to Lt. Col. Tony Bancroft of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The couple married in 2008 and have six children together — five daughters and one son.