Diana Watson
Simpsonville
Summary
Trusted and well-connected former broadcast journalist who is an award-winning storyteller, script writer, and public speaker. Dynamic and creative professional with ability to manage multiple projects with strong leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior VP & Chief Philanthropy Officer
YMCA Of Greenville
06.2019 - Current
- Designs and implements annual marketing plan for Annual Campaign, including social media, print materials, videos and weekly e-newsletter sent to 70,000 people, with a 40% open rate.
- Lead fundraiser, surpassing $1.4 million 2023 Annual Campaign goal and currently raising more than $1.5 million in 2024.
- Hired, trained and manages team of six Development Directors
- Founded and manages Y Food Program, serving hundreds of people weekly
- Lead fundraiser on Capital Campaigns for multiple YMCA branches
Main News Anchor
Fox Carolina
05.2003 - 06.2019
- Main anchor for 3.5 hours of news every weekday, including top-rated 10 pm newscast
- Wrote, edited, and produced stories for multiple platforms, including live newscasts, website, and social media
- Strong community relationships with key businesses, non-profits, and government officials
- Collaborated with producers and management to develop newscasts, promotions and teases.
- Fact-checked breaking news headlines by performing background research, contacting experts or witnesses and conferring with lawyers to comply with legal boundaries for sensitive stories.
Campaign Chair
United Way Of Greenville County
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Volunteer chair of $16.7 million fundraising campaign
- Assisted with vision for campaign, including print materials, on-line marketing, and event planning
- Met with business leaders and represented the United Way at large community gatherings
- Visited every United Way partner agency
- Networked among donors and fundraised to generate money for campaign.
Anchor/Reporter
WSPA-TV
03.1996 - 05.2003
- Deployed to locations across the Upstate to provide on-the-ground breaking news coverage
- Field reporter with strong connections across the Upstate
- Produced, wrote and anchored weekend newscast
Education
Bachelor of Science - Journalism, Broadcast
University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD06.1992
Skills
- Executive leadership
- Media outreach
- Internal and external communications
- Compelling written communications
- Strong public speaker
- Project and content management
- Video content expertise and voiceover
Awards
- 2023 Anti-Hunger Hero, YUSA
- 2019 Emmy nomination, Anchor of Best Newscast
- 2018 25 Most Beautiful from Greenville News for community service work
- 2018 United Way of Greenville County Spirit Award
- 2017 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast Silver Circle Inductee
- 2017 SC Broadcasters Association STAR Award, Best Anchor in SC
- 2017 NATAS Southeast Emmy, News Anchor
- 2010 AP Award Nominee, Environmental Reporting
- 2009 AP Award, "Homeless in the Upstate"
- 2009 Outstanding Journalist, Greenville HBCU Classic
- 2007 NATAS Southeast Emmy, News Anchor
Timeline
Senior VP & Chief Philanthropy Officer
YMCA Of Greenville
06.2019 - Current
Campaign Chair
United Way Of Greenville County
01.2018 - 01.2019
Main News Anchor
Fox Carolina
05.2003 - 06.2019
Anchor/Reporter
WSPA-TV
03.1996 - 05.2003
Bachelor of Science - Journalism, Broadcast
University of Maryland - College Park
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