Ishita Khanna

“The definition of who’s a journalist, and in my mind that’s pretty clear, [is a person] who’s dedicated to digging out the facts and is going to be faithful and accurate in reporting them,” said journalist Judy Woodruff at the East Bay Leadership Council’s 2025 Leadership Series event on Jan. 29 in Concord.

From the moment she stepped on stage, legendary broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff captivated several hundred East Bay business leaders – making them burst into boisterous laughter twice within 30 seconds and erupt in applause numerous times throughout the evening.

As the keynote speaker of the first event for the East Bay Leadership Council’s 2025 Leadership Series, Woodruff focused on how communities should set aside their differences and work together during this period of political polarization.

“What you are doing here in the Bay Area with organizations like the East Bay Leadership Council (EBLC) is a great example for the rest of the country,” Woodruff said at the event on Jan. 29 in Concord. “I wish the rest of the country could see the efforts you make here in this community to work across the divide to solve your hardest problems.”

The conscious effort made by the organization to work together was highlighted by Mark Orcutt, EBLC’s president and CEO.

“We will only succeed in our work through collective action. When one of us raises concerns, policymakers might listen, they should listen, but they might listen. But when hundreds of business and civic leaders speak with one voice about the threats to our economic vitality, they must act,” Orcutt said. “Through collective action, we ensure that good ideas don’t stay as ideas and that our actions reflect the urgency of the issues we face.”

Woodruff – who also was a former anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour – discussed the country’s current divide, touching on President Donald Trump’s first nine days in office, which saw decisions he made involving federal budget cuts, immigration, and birthright citizenship. The barrage of executive orders signed beginning only hours after the 47th president took office has caused frustration and confusion among many Americans, as well as the global community. Despite the national concerns, the seasoned journalist managed to keep the mood light by praising the cooperation taking place in the East Bay.

“This kind of cooperation is possible in a community as vibrant as yours is, so maybe I will take you with me [back to Washington, D.C.],” Woodruff said, smiling. “You’re not asking are you a Republican or a Democrat, but you’re working together. I wish more of the country could see this and so I’m congratulating you on that.

“I’m saying for that reason, don’t be dispirited by the fighting that you see in Washington, D.C.,” she added. “That will get better, and your generation is gonna make sure that it gets better. We can’t wait … the country can’t wait for Washington to wake up.”

The evening wrapped up with a Q&A moderated by former journalist Ann Notarangelo, the community relations manager with the Martinez Refining Company. During this part of the program, Woodruff touched on journalism and its role in informing the public. 

“To me, what keeps a democracy strong is the ability to get factual information on what’s actually happening in your community, in your state, in your country, in the world,” said Woodruff, who has covered politics and general news for five decades at NBC, CNN and PBS. “The definition of who’s a journalist, and in my mind that’s pretty clear, [is a person] who’s dedicated to digging out the facts and is going to be faithful and accurate in reporting them.”

Also in attendance were student journalists from the Contra Costa Youth Journalism program and Diablo Valley College. Woodruff commended both groups for their early interest and dedication to covering news.

When asked what advice she had for people who have – and are – losing faith in the political system, Woodruff responded with a wise gleam in her eyes.

“Just know that American politics goes in cycles. It moves in cycles. We have tough times, and then it gets better,” she said. “And we can’t give up hope. 

“The American experiment is something extraordinary, and we can’t give up on that,” Woodruff added. “We have to keep trying. It’s worth it.”  

A special moment

Although the focus of her keynote address was coming together during polarization, Woodruff revealed why she cares most about people with disabilities.

“As much as I love American politics, and as much as I worry about where we’re going as a country,” said Woodruff. “What I’m most worried about is disabilities.”

Woodruff’s oldest son, Jeffrey Hunt, was born with spina bifida. She said when he was 16, something went wrong during a routine surgery, leaving him in a coma for five months. Woodruff described how her son was “still the same inside” when he woke up but needed caregivers.

“I salute all the people who work with [people with] disabilities,” Woodruff said. “You are the angels walking among us.”

To learn more about Woodruff’s personal journey, visit the NIH Record.

Loujain Habibi is a 12th grader at Liberty High School in Brentwood.