We are thrilled to announce a transition in leadership roles for the board of directors at the Tiffany Shackelford Foundation. 

After four years at the helm, Aaron Castelo will step down as president but remain on the board. Laura Cochran has agreed to step into the president’s role. 

“I'm deeply honored to serve as the next president of the Tiffany Shackelford Foundation. Tiffany wasn’t just a trailblazer—she was my friend, my collaborator, and one of the most magnetic people I’ve ever known. She lifted people up with generosity, infectious laughter, and fearless momentum, always making space for others to lead and shine. Tiffany brought people together through joy and purpose, and her impact lives on in every life she touched. I’m proud to carry her spirit forward through the foundation, helping more women and underrepresented voices find their voice and their power. Building on her legacy, I look forward to expanding mentorship, financial support, and community for those stepping into leadership roles.”

The board additionally voted to add a new board position of vice president to help support Laura in her new role, and Barb Rosewicz will serve in this new post. 

“The Tiffany Shackelford Foundation is helping a new generation of journalists make connections and seize opportunities through Shackelford Shines awards or participation in ONA's Women's Leadership Accelerator program,” said Rosewicz. 

“I know that Tiffany would be full of ideas for how to meet the journalism challenges of the day. The foundation is devoted to giving a boost to those with the same can-do spirit.”

Laura Cochran is a strategic design leader with more than 15 years of experience creating inclusive, high-impact digital experiences. She has held senior roles at the United States Digital Service, Condé Nast, WeWork, Gannett and The Washington Post, where she led teams to design user-centered experiences that help people access critical information and services.

Laura’s work is rooted in empathy, equity, and deep user insight. She also guides organizations in adopting AI responsibly, building ethical frameworks that prioritize transparency and accountability.

With a foundation in journalism and visual storytelling, Laura is a natural community builder and communicator. She met Tiffany Shackelford in 2008 through the Online News Association and collaborated with her for years to grow and connect the DC journalism community. Their friendship was built on shared values: bold leadership, radical care, and a belief in lifting others up.

Now, as president of the Tiffany Shackelford Foundation, Laura brings that same spirit to the mission of empowering women and underrepresented voices in media and leadership. She is committed to ensuring Tiffany’s legacy continues to inspire and create change.

Barb Rosewicz spent a career as a journalist, editor, and data specialist. She retired in 2022 from The Pew Charitable Trusts, where she led the creation and operation of Fiscal 50, an online data site analyzing 50-state fiscal trends. 

She was previously managing editor of Stateline.org, a news site covering 50-state policy and politics; a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, where she covered the Middle East and later US energy and environmental policy; and a reporter for United Press International covering the Kansas statehouse and later the Supreme Court in Washington, DC. 

After retiring, she served for a semester as the Hearst Visiting Professional in Residence at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at her alma mater, the University of Kansas. She is the immediate past chair of the William Allen White Foundation at KU’s journalism school. 

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