The Untold Story Of Jane Stoddard Williams: 7 Fascinating Facts About The Media Executive And Education Advocate

Jane Stoddard Williams is a highly respected figure in the American media landscape, known for her decades-long career as a television news producer, radio host, and influential education advocate. As of late 2024 and early 2025, Williams continues to leverage her media expertise to champion educational equity, particularly through her work with the national non-profit organization, Horizons National.

While often recognized publicly as the wife of veteran news anchor Brian Williams and the mother of actress Allison Williams, Jane Stoddard Williams maintains a formidable professional identity of her own. Her career trajectory is a unique blend of hard-hitting journalism and deep-seated commitment to philanthropic causes, making her one of the most impactful, yet private, media executives working today. This article delves into her comprehensive biography and the seven most compelling facts about her life and work.

Jane Stoddard Williams: A Comprehensive Biography

• Full Name: Jane Gillan Stoddard Williams
• Date of Birth: Information not publicly specified, though she was born in the mid-1950s.
• Place of Birth: Likely New Canaan, Connecticut area, where she is a lifetime resident of an affluent commuter town outside New York.
• Mother: Pat Stoddard (a teacher).
• Spouse: Brian Williams (married June 7, 1986, at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, Connecticut).
• Children: Allison Williams (actress) and Doug Williams (radio host/media personality).
• Education: Attended New Canaan Country School (her alma mater where the Horizons program was founded).
• Primary Career Fields: Television News Production, Radio Hosting, Education Advocacy.
• Key Professional Roles: Former Producer of the PBS Series "Inside Story," Executive Producer of "Panorama" (Washington, D.C.), Host of "Bloomberg EDU," and Chair of the Board of Directors for Horizons National.

1. She Is the Host of a Major Weekly Education Radio Show

One of Jane Stoddard Williams's most significant and current professional roles is as the host of "Bloomberg EDU." This weekly radio program is a major platform where she combines her extensive media experience with her passion for educational policy and reform.

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The show, which airs on Bloomberg Radio, features in-depth conversations, news, and smart reporting on the most pressing issues in education, from K-12 schooling to higher education and policy. Her work on "Bloomberg EDU" demonstrates her commitment to being an education advocate, a passion she has pursued vigorously in recent years.

2. Her Media Career Began in Hard-Hitting TV News Production

Before becoming a prominent radio host and education figure, Jane Stoddard Williams spent years working behind the scenes in high-level television news production. She is a veteran producer who honed her skills in some of the most respected newsrooms in the country.

Her notable early professional achievements include serving as a producer for the acclaimed PBS Series "Inside Story." Furthermore, she held the role of Executive Producer for "Panorama" in Washington, D.C., which at the time was Washington’s longest-running daily news program. These roles established her as a serious and capable media executive long before her marriage to Brian Williams became public knowledge.

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3. She Holds a Major National Leadership Role in Educational Non-Profit Work

Jane Stoddard Williams is not just an advocate for education; she is a leader in the field. She serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Horizons National, a highly respected non-profit educational organization.

Horizons National is dedicated to closing the achievement gap by providing a high-quality academic and recreational summer enrichment program for students from under-resourced communities. Her leadership role in Horizons National showcases her deep commitment to social-emotional and experiential learning, reflecting a hands-on approach to philanthropy that goes beyond mere fundraising.

4. Her Mother, Pat Stoddard, Was a Teacher

Williams's passion for education is deeply rooted in her family background. She has publicly spoken about the influence of her mother, Pat Stoddard, who worked tirelessly as a teacher.

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This personal connection to the teaching profession is a key factor driving her work on "Bloomberg EDU" and her dedication to the Horizons program. She is part of a legacy of commitment to learning, which she now extends through her own media and non-profit work to impact a national audience.

5. She and Brian Williams Have Been Married for Nearly Four Decades

The Williams family is a true media dynasty, and Jane Stoddard Williams is central to it. She married Brian Williams on June 7, 1986, in New Canaan, Connecticut. This long-standing marriage has provided a stable foundation for both of their high-profile careers and the upbringing of their two children.

Their daughter, Allison Williams, is a successful actress known for her roles in HBO's Girls and the film Get Out. Their son, Doug Williams, has also entered the media world, having hosted a radio show with a classmate, continuing the family's legacy in journalism and broadcasting.

6. She is a Lifetime Resident of Her Community and an Alumna of Horizons’ Founding School

Williams is described as a lifetime resident of an affluent commuter town outside New York, which is known to be New Canaan, Connecticut. This strong connection to her community is directly linked to her philanthropic work.

The Horizons program, which she now chairs nationally, was originally founded at her alma mater, the New Canaan Country School, over fifty years ago. Her involvement began locally as the board chair of the Horizons program at her school, demonstrating a powerful commitment to giving back to the educational institutions that shaped her.

7. She Has Held a Leadership Position at WNET

Further cementing her status as a media executive, Jane Stoddard Williams has also served in a leadership capacity for WNET. WNET is the parent company of New York's primary PBS station and one of the most prominent public media organizations in the country.

Specifically, she has been listed as the Vice Chairman of WNET, a role that involves high-level governance and strategic oversight for the organization’s radio and television broadcast operations. This position underscores her influence in public broadcasting and her commitment to quality, educational media content.