Tiffany Shackelford, executive director of the Society for News Design, died Dec. 27 from health complications arising from COVID-19, the organization said in a recent statement.

Shackelford joined the Alexandria, Va.-based SND in 2019. She previously was chief strategy officer of the National Governors Association but had a long history working with media and journalism organizations. She is the former executive director of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and the co-founder of the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Online News Association.

"Anyone who has been in the same room as Tiffany was instantly intoxicated with her boisterous love, laughter and occasional F-bombs. Tiffany was a tornado of goodness. She spun the world and moved us all," said Yuri Victor, senior editor of The Atlantic, said in a statement on SND's website.

Paige Connor, immediate past-president of SND, said Shackelford stepped into the role of top executive at a critical time for the organization, when the journalism industry itself was undergoing major transformations.

"She was a fierce advocate for the industry's rising stars—especially women," Connor said in a statement. "On more than one occasion, she reminded me that you must be your own advocate. ‘Be the f--- ing badass that I know you are!' she would tell me. Her belief in you provided the sense that you could do anything, and she would be right by your side."

Shackelford's friends and family have established a GoFundMe page to raise money for her husband and 9-year-old son. SND is also planning a virtual celebration of Shackelford's life in the near future.

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