Judy Woodruff

A White woman with blonde, chin-length hair wearing a red suit smiles with her teeth showing. Her hands on rest, one on top of the other, on a desk. Behind her is a blue geometric pattern and part of the worlds "PBS News Hour."

Senior Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour

Judy Woodruff is Senior Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour, after serving as Anchor and Managing Editor for 11 years. In 2023, she launched “America at a Crossroads,” a two-year reporting project to understand America’s political divide. The series debuted with Judy interviewing President Biden and has continued with reports from 9 states across the country. Her career has spanned five decades, covering politics and 12 presidential elections at NBC, CNN, and PBS. 

In 2013, she and the late Gwen Ifill were named the first two women to co-anchor a national news broadcast, the PBS NewsHour. In 2022, Judy was honored with an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement in Television News.

Meet our 2023 Democracy Forum Speakers

nyt_likeabossbaratunde 4_cropped

Baratunde Thurston

Democracy Forum Host
Wemimo Abbey Headshot (Innovation and Inclusion in Business)

Wemimo Abbey

Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Esusu
Peter-Adams 1200x1200

Peter Adams

Senior Vice President of Research and Design of the News Literacy Project
Aleena Agrawal Headshot (Economic Inclusion)

Aleena Agrawal

Director of Talent Solutions at P33
Ellen Alberding

Ellen Alberding

President and CEO, The Joyce Foundation
Ian Bassin Headshot

Ian Bassin

Co-founder and Executive Director of Protect Democracy
DeeseHeadshot

Brian Deese

MIT Innovation Fellow
Hany Farid Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Hany Farid

Professor at the University of California, Berkeley
Nancy Gibbs Headshot (Democracy-s Immune System)

Nancy Gibbs

Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice and Director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School
Photo-Credit-Jamie-Girdler-1920x2276 (Emma Gredde)

Emma Grede

Entrepreneur & Chairwoman of The Fifteen Percent Pledge and the CEO and Co-Founder of Good American
Regina Hall

Regina Hall

Award-winning actress and producer
Mary Kay Henry (Fair Economies and the Future of Work)

Mary Kay Henry

International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Darryl Holliday Headshot

Darryl Holliday

Journalist, civic strategist, and media organizer
Valerie Jarrett Headshot

Valerie Jarrett

Chief Executive Officer
Major Brandon Johnson

Mayor Brandon Johnson

Mayor of Chicago
Terah Lyons Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Terah Lyons

Founding Executive Director of the Partnership on AI
Anna Makanju Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Anna Makanju

OpenAI's Vice President of Global Affairs
governor-wes-moore-official-portrait

Governor Wes Moore

Governor of the state of Maryland
Alondra Nelson Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Alondra Nelson

Harold F. Linder Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study
Suzanne Nossel headshot (2) (1)

Suzanne Nossel

CEO, PEN America
Chiedo Nwankwor

Chiedo Nwankwor

Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs, Interim Director of SAIS Europe, Senior Lecturer, and Director of SAIS Women Lead
President Obama Headshot (Economic Inclusion) (Photo by Pari Dukovic courtesy of Penguin Random House)

President Obama

44th president of the United States
John Palfrey Headshot (Democracy-s Immune System)

John Palfrey

President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
DeMarioPhippsSmith 1200x1200

DeMario Phipps-Smith

Senior Manager of Community Learning at News Literacy Project.
Sonal Shah Headshot (Democracy-s Immune System)

Sonal Shah

Chief Executive Officer at The Texas Tribune
Alex Smith Headshot (Finding Meaningful Connections in a Digital World)

Alex Smith

Founder of The Cares Family
Stevenson headshot smaller

Betsey Stevenson

Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan
Mandy Teefy Portrait 0019

Mandy Teefey

Co-Founder and CEO of Wondermind
Shani Tran Headshot

Shani Tran

Licensed therapist and author
Raquel Vazquez Llorente Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Raquel Vazquez Llorente

Head of Law & Policy, Technology, Threats and Opportunities - WITNESS

You can donate to help us inspire, empower, and connect leaders from around the world to take on the biggest challenges of our time.

Donate Today

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation. The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

Edit Page

Donate
Today

We need your help to turn hope into action—to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.

Visit
  • 6001 S. Stony Island Ave.
  • 1-(773)-900-0044
  • The Museum

    The Obama Presidential Center Museum is a world-class landmark that tells the story of our democracy through the lens of America’s first Black president and First Lady. Dynamic exhibits across four floors will highlight the events, policies, challenges, and accomplishments of the Obama presidency. The Museum is comprised of four levels of exhibitions and the Sky Room, a 5,000 square foot space that offers soul-stirring perspective and panoramic views of Chicago. Entry to the Museum is by time-ticket or event participation. Monday | 1 - 8 p.m. CTTuesday - Sunday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT

  • Forum Building

    The Forum Building is a vibrant community center that celebrates creativity and innovation. The Forum’s two levels are brought to life through power performances at the Elie Wiesel Auditorium, creative forms of expression in the Media Suite, and collaborative thinking in the Democracy in Action Labs. The Forum also features the Hadiya Pendleton Atrium, Tafari’s Kitchen, our Cafe, two courtyards, and one-of-kind pieces of art by Theaster Gates, Spencer Finch, and Tyanna Buie. Monday | 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

  • Home Court

    Home Court is a 60,000-square-foot athletic and events space designed to strengthen the entire community and motivate people of all ages. Home Court offers programs inspired by President Obama's belief in the power of sports, mentorship, and connection. The two level space includes an NBA-sized regulation basketball court, seven flexible multipurpose rooms, two outdoor courtyards, and several multi-level seating areas for visitors.Monday - Sunday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. CT

  • Chicago Public Library, Obama Presidential Center Branch

    Libraries are the beating heart of a strong democratic culture. Here we welcome local residents, scholars, and visitors from around the world to connect, reflect, and act. The Obama Presidential Center campus features a new branch of the Chicago Public Library that celebrates the rich history of Chicago’s public libraries and the powerful legacy of the Obamas. The Library Branch includes a YOUMedia Suite, a City Maker’s Space, a Children’s Area, and the exclusive President’s Reading Room, a collection of written works that reflect the interests, histories, and readings of President and Mrs. Obama.Mon & Wed12 - 8 p.m. CTTues & Thur10 a.m. - 6 p.m. CTFri & Sat9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CTSun1 -5 p.m. CT

About Us
Get Involved
Stay Connected

The Obama Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. Read more  about our tax-exempt status.

© 2026 The Barack Obama Foundation.

Terms of service Privacy policyPrivacy preference center