With a heavy heart, we are sad to report the untimely death of our colleague, Tiffany Shackelford, Head of Outreach and Partnerships for the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy’s Election Cybersecurity Initiative and Director of CCLP’s Voter Communications Task Force. Tiffany passed away unexpectedly on December 27th from complications resulting from a positive case of Covid-19. She was only 46 years old and is survived by her husband, Aaron Castelo, and Sam, her nine-year-old son.
Tiffany embraced life and was enthusiastic about everything she touched, personally or professionally. Her work for the Society for News Design, the Online News Association, and the Association of Alternative Newsmedia connected her with a growing network of media leaders across the country. And network she did: Tiffany seemed to know everybody.
Tiffany was a leader in state and local politics and media around the nation. She founded Stateline.org for the Pew Center for the States and played an important role for the National Governors Association before joining the USC Election Cybersecurity Initiative.
Tiffany had an almost unique understanding of the press and government at the local level. Famed reporter David Broder used to say that you can’t understand U.S. politics without going to state capitols. To the surprise of none of her friends, Tiffany went to all 50 and knew political leaders and reporters in them all.
We are committed to supporting Tiffany’s son Sam and her loving husband Aaron in this tragic time. GOFUNDME: Please consider donating to this fund established by Tiffany’s friends and family, to help support Aaron and Sam through this challenging time.
You can also show support by visiting tiffanyshackelford.com
On February 11, 2021, The Washington Post published this story remembering Tiffany.