Breakfast Speakers

Each month at the WBE Breakfast we have an inspirational speaker. Thank you to all of our speakers!  Our speaker for May 2009 was:

Connie Thompson

"Silk Purses, Sows’ Ears, and My Secret Silver Platter”

Connie Thompson joined the world of broadcast journalism for the same reason that many of us have pursued a career - to make a living.    At the tender age of 16, she got her start by conducting viewer surveys for a television station in Portland. Her next stop was a job at the switchboard, followed by a receptionist job at a Portland radio station. After a 4 year radio stint during her college years, Connie eventually landed in Seattle, at KOMO TV.

That was 35 years ago, and while the job provided the steady income she had hoped for, Connie is the first to admit that her years in the field have provided her with much more than she expected in terms of rewards.  Throughout the decades of honing her craft as a reporter and news anchor, Connie also discovered the creative freedom, responsibility, and the connection with people that goes with producing a news story.  Early on, when the assignment editor gave her ‘turkeys’ –simple stories that were low on most reporters’ wish lists – Connie made it a goal to deliver them back on a silver platter, because, as she says, there’s an exciting opportunity to make something good out of what life throws at you!

While there have been many silver-platter opportunities for Connie during her television career, her success and staying power demonstrate that her philosophies work. These very same strategies have also helped her maintain perspective and hold close what matters most to her in life while navigating a fast-paced career. We invite you to join us on May 14th as the ever engaging and inspirational Connie Thompson tells us more about her life, her work, and her secret silver platter. 

Biographical Information for Connie Thompson

Connie Thompson is one of Seattle's broadcast veterans. With numerous Emmy nominations for her consumer reporting, Connie also co-anchors KOMO 4 News at 11AM every Monday through Friday. She's been recognized by local consumer and community groups for her commitment to raising consumer awareness about everything from product safety to real estate fraud.

Connie received the 2006 Silver Circle Award from the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences and has been honored by Women in Communications, The National Transportation Safety Administration, Totem Council of Girl Scouts and Big Brother Big Sisters of Puget Sound, which created an annual award in her name for her more than two decades of support.

Connie graduated from the University of Portland and has an MBA from City University in Seattle.

In her free time she enjoys golf, reading, jewelry design, gourmet cooking, and friends and family. She and her husband live in Seattle.