Lee Woodruff

Author & Journalist

Lee Woodruff

Author & Journalist

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Biography

As co-author of the #1 NY Times best-selling In an Instant, Lee Woodruff garnered critical acclaim for the compelling and humorous chronicle of her family’s journey to recovery following her husband Bob’s roadside bomb injury while anchoring the news in Iraq. Inspired by their own experiences and those of military families during the road to recovery, they established the Bob Woodruff Foundation, to assist wounded service members and their families. To date, the organization has raised more than $120 million to help veterans successfully reintegrate into their communities and receive critical care.

An award-winning broadcast and print journalist, Woodruff has reported for CBS This Morning and Good Morning America. Her best-selling book Perfectly Imperfect – A Life in Progress, was followed by her first novel Those We Love Most.

She has been a popular speaker on numerous topics, using wit and humor to talk about overcoming adversity, resilience, caregiving, family dynamics and more. Woodruff runs a communications business, helping global leaders, executives and others to amplify their presences and define messaging in an increasingly changing world.

Speaker Videos

An Introduction

On Resilience

ABC News Interview

A Reading From 'Perfectly Imperfect'

TEDTalk: Bob and Lee Woodruff

To Know What You Don't Know

See Fewer Videos

Speech Topics

Bitter to Better: Lesson of Resiliency

Lee Woodruff knows that life can change in an instant. One minute you’re a successful businesswoman, mother of four and wife to the newly-appointed anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight. The next you’re receiving a phone call that your husband has been hit by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. When the bad thing happens, Woodruff learned firsthand that you have two choices, “get bitter or get better.” The story of perseverance, flexibility, hope and strength is a personal one, that has broader applications for families, leaders and businesses and organizations.

Woodruff learned first-hand that human beings are built to survive, and yet some of that success depends on the way we choose to move forward. Woodruff shares her personal story of courage with candor, humor and a strength that will inspire all. She offers practical take-aways about what she learned, what it took to hold the family together, and how she stayed strong while providing a clear path forward and the emotional and physical support her children and husband needed. After Bob’s painstaking recovery and return to journalism, together they founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation, to help military families recover from the wounds of war. To date, they have raised and supported thousands of families and individuals, granting more than 130 million dollars. A best-selling author, Woodruff’s compelling story contains valuable lessons for all of us about the choices we make, how the bad thing doesn’t have to define us and the ways in which resilience is hard-wired into the human spirit.

Keeping the Hope in Healthcare: The Patient & Family Perspective

When Lee’s husband, ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff, was injured while covering the war in Iraq, his journey through the health-care system from the ICU to long-term rehabilitation gave Lee a first-hand view into another world. Using her family’s story of injury and recovery, she gleaned a number of insights on what helps differentiate “good” care from “great.” The one distinguishing factor is how to parse and hold hope, even in what seems like a hopeless situation. Lee has numerous examples and first-hand stories that make this a compelling talk for anyone connected to healthcare.

Amplifying Your Presence: Showing Up in the Board Room or Zoom Room

Being a great communicator is an essential skill in every aspect of life. Whether you’re a global leader or an elementary teacher, there are tips and tricks that can help land your messages with impact and make them memorable with storytelling. With so many interactions on video conference today, landing your message requires a slightly different set of rules. As a media and presentation coach for the past 25 plus years, Lee has worked with C-suite executives, celebrities, young “up-and-coming” executives, philanthropists and many others to help them polish their communications skills and deliver their messaging and story-telling. Lee’s presentation can cover the basics of how body language, voice, message, can work together to amplify your talent and build your presence and communications power. Whether it’s a global offsite, corporate presentation, controlling an interview or an hour of professional development for a team, Lee’s presentation can help make everyone feel prepared for any external communications.

The Power of We: Creating a Community of Impact

Following her husband’s life-threatening injury while covering the war in Iraq, Lee Woodruff was inspired to dedicate herself to ensuring that our nation’s impacted veterans, service members and their families are granted the support and resources they deserve. Lee and her husband created The Bob Woodruff Foundation, aimed at ensuring that our veterans are thriving long after they return home. Their devoted activism and volunteerism have allowed the Woodruff family to meet the emerging and long-term needs of more than 2.5 million veterans and families. Woodruff’s discussion of her work’s impact and her devotion to philanthropy demonstrates the importance of standing up for the causes most dear to us, and inspires listeners to be the change they wish to see in the world.

Testimonials

"Lee was terrific! She was a great speaker, wrapping details of the event and recognizing each Mental Health Champion and their successes into her presentation beautifully. She's very personable and the feedback is very positive."

- Missouri Mental Health Foundation

"Lee’s delivery of the keynote address for the Niagara County Community College 53rd annual Commencement Ceremony provided a thoughtful perspective for our students and their loved ones on this important day in their lives. Her humor, anecdotes and inspirational message were appreciated and enjoyed by all."

- Niagara County Community College

"Lee Woodruff was absolutely delightful: warm, funny, inspiring and so engaging. Our guests really responded to her....gave her a standing ovation...and virtually all of them came up on stage to meet her afterward. More than 80% of the attendees bought one or both of her books as well and she patiently autographed all of them. The client was thrilled and we were, too. Thanks for all your help with this."

- Marion, Montgomery, Inc.

"Lee is an incredible speaker and did a phenomenal job. In addition to that, she is quite possibly one of the most charming people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. She was the perfect capstone to the day. We were and are thrilled with Lee’s presentation and her participation in our event made it a tremendous success!!!"

- Microsoft

"She was terrific. Great speaker, warm, funny, great story and inspirational. I have produced the VOICES lectures for the last 15 years and Lee was one of the best. Her message is one of hope, the power of the human spirit and the importance of a community of people to overcome adversity. The audience loved her. I have built my business by finding speakers bureaus and agents who are not only concerned with their success, but with our success. Thank you for all your help in making Lee’s visit so successful"

- President, VOICES Inc.

"Lee was wonderful. She was articulate, funny, insightful and compassionate. The response from veterans, employers, public officials was very enthusiastic. I was especially pleased that she emphasized the importance of getting back to work after a serious injury. And, she incorporated the remarks of the previous speakers into her presentation. This meant a lot to the veterans who were on the panel. Lee had told me that she needed to leave by 3pm to get back to her family, but there were many people who wanted to speak to her afterwards. She stayed 30 minutes later because she wanted to connect with them. All in all, we were very impressed."

- Vermont Vocational Rehab

"As you probably expected, our event with Bob and Lee Woodruff at The Commonwealth Club last night was amazing and a huge success. Thank you very much for bringing them here. As you know, the event sold out at nearly 500. The bookseller brought more than 100 books and sold all but three. In addition, many people brought books in from outside. Bob and Lee are wonderful people, gracious, giving and open. Our audience left feeling so positive and inspired, not only by Bob's recovery, but by the strength two people showed as a couple and how important it is to weather the bad to get to the good. Thank you again. I look forward to working with you in the future."

- The Commonwealth Club

"Everyone was very thankful of her presence. And folks loved the speech. Her humor, depth and sincerity were wonderful. The points were absolutely right on for this generation and for all of us. I kept thinking last night that "kiss a lot of frogs" relates to all ages and stages."

- Colgate University

"Everything went very, very well last night. Bob and Lee are two of the most warm and wonderful people. It was an honor for me to be able to escort them. They were more then gracious and signed every last book, took photos, and spoke with everyone that waited for a chance to see them up close. Thank you again for all of your help. This has truly been one of the most successful events Quinnipiac has ever had."

- Quinnipiac University