From Buffalo to Baghdad, Stephanie Ramos has seen it all — and she’s probably talked about it on your television. As an ABC News correspondent based in New York City, Ramos is at the heart of the TV news industry. In April she visited Colgate to discuss her path to success and offer advice to fellow storytellers.
Ramos spoke at the ALANA Cultural Center about the lessons she’s learned throughout her years on the job. As both a guest anchor for various shows — including Good Morning America and Nightline — and a researcher, Ramos shared how her work as a journalist has shaped her understanding of creativity.
“You don’t need endless freedom to be creative,” she said. “You need intention, purpose, focus, discipline, curiosity, and heart. Whether you’re painting, writing, composing, or reporting: Deadlines are not your enemy. Deadlines are important.”
But, she argued, it’s not all about deadlines — it’s also about connection and authenticity, even under pressure.
“You’re not just in front of a camera, you’re building bridges of understanding. This is especially important when the stakes are really high,” she explains.
The secret to storytelling she argued, is compassion, as well as a commitment to the truth. “Every story is somebody’s life,” said Ramos. “In order to get the right story, the good story, it’s a matter of connecting with that person. When you learn to make those stories sing, that’s when you tell the truth.”