Credit: Susan Ryan Photography

ABC News is pleased to announce that Stephanie Zimmermann will be joining its Investigative Unit, led by Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross. She will contribute to "Nightline" as it expands in the coming months and write a regular consumer help column for ABCNews.com.

A veteran investigative reporter, Stephanie spent the last 16 years at the Chicago Sun-Times where her popular consumer-help column "The Fixer" had huge impact, recovering an estimated $1.4 million for readers who looked to her for help with their consumer problems. In addition Zimmermann's reporting led to front-page investigations of convicted criminals working as private security guards and exposed toxic levels of lead in children's jewelry.

"Stephanie is a hugely talented consumer reporter, and we look forward to seeing her exceptional work on behalf of our viewers on-air and online in the coming months," said ABC News Senior Vice President James Goldston. "Her trademark investigations will be a great addition to ABC News."

"The Chicago Sun-Times has been a wonderful home for many years, but I am thrilled for this new opportunity. I look forward to working with the investigative team at ABC News and the talented producers at 'Nightline' to report on stories that impact consumers across the country," Zimmermann said.

Stephanie earned her bachelors and masters degrees in journalism at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She lives in Chicago with her husband and their two children.