Diane Smith has been on the air in Connecticut since 1982. An Emmy award winning TV journalist, Diane produces programs for Connecticut Public TV, based on her very popular series "Positively Connecticut". "Positively Connecticut" searches out the inspiring, warm, funny, and sometimes downright strange stories that give Connecticut its character. Her four books based on the series have been best sellers for The Globe Pequot Press.
Diane is president of Diane Smith Media, a company providing services to businesses, non-profits and schools.
For nine years Diane was co-host of the top rated Morning Show on WTIC-AM News Talk 1080 with Ray Dunaway.
Diane was a news anchor and reporter for sixteen years at WTNH-TV in New Haven, where her reporting earned her an Emmy award. Diane's documentaries have earned numerous state and national awards. The American Cancer Society has honored her for her work in educating women about breast cancer. The Connecticut Press Club honored her with its Mark Twain Distinguished Journalist of the Year award. Toastmasters International honored Diane with their Communication and Leadership Award.
Diane is active in promoting Connecticut business and tourism. She was awarded the Connecticut Tourism Industry's Media Award for "Positively Connecticut" for "showing Connecticut to the rest of the world in a positive light" Diane was named Person of the Year by the Homebuilders Association of New Haven. The Governor proclaimed June 30, 1999 as Diane Smith Day in Connecticut. Diane has also been honored with citations and proclamations from the General Assembly and the Mayor of Norwalk.
Diane serves on the board of directors of the World Affairs Council, the board of directors of the IMPAC-CT State University Award for Young Writers, and served five years as the honorary chairperson of “The World of Words” programs held in libraries across the state and sponsored by the Connecticut Center for the Book. Diane served three terms on the board of directors of the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, a non-partisan organization dedicated to helping women attain public office. As a spokesperson for Easter Seals, Diane helped raise more than eight million dollars for programs that help people with disabilities live independently, and was named Easter Seals’ Woman of the Year.
Charter Oak State College awarded Diane an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. In conferring the degree the board of trustees praised Diane’s work promoting and contributing to the quality of life in Connecticut, saying “You exemplify the values contained in the College’s mission, particularly the importance of lifelong learning. Your willingness to give back to the community is a core value of the College which emphasizes the importance of being a good citizen in a global and diverse society.”
Diane graduated with honors from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She lives on the Connecticut shoreline and in West Hartford with her husband Tom Woodruff, an economist.Accomplishments
- Moderated numerous congressional and statehouse debates over the years, broadcast live and on tape.
- A town meeting broadcast live throughout New England with President Clinton.
- A series of award winning town meetings on topics like school desegregation and gang violence, broadcast live on location, with over 100 experts in the audience/panel on the topic.
- Recently moderated a panel on behalf of the Small Business Administration for its Northeast Regional Conference on Women in Business.
- Interviews: Conducts approximately 6 thru 8 daily on her 4.5 hour live radio talk show. She has interviewed literally hundreds of Hollywood stars, authors and the like, both on TV and on radio.
- Anchored two newscasts a day for more than 16 years, all live, some in studio and some on location.
- Speeches: Speaks about 35 - 50 times a year, including the last three years when she had a book tour each fall
- Featured speaker at a women’s health conference along with Anita Hill.
