SABEW is extremely saddened to report that board member and former vice president Xana Antunes has passed away from cancer.
Since 2014, Xana had been the executive editor of Quartz. Before that she was an executive editor and vice president at CNBC, an editor at Crain’s New York Business, an executive editor at Fortune and CNN/Money and the editor of the New York Post, where she oversaw a staff of more than 300 journalists.
Xana joined SABEW’s board in 2015 and made an immediate impact. She recruited numerous new members as membership committee chair, she identified new board members while on the nominations committee, and her vision, wisdom and guidance, as vice president and otherwise, were instrumental in moving the organization forward.
“We are crushed to hear about Xana’s passing,” said Bryan Borzykowski, SABEW president. “She was a brilliant and visionary journalist and, most importantly, a remarkable human being. She was always happy and willing to offer advice and ideas on anything — SABEW, journalism and even parenting — to anyone who asked. She was a friend to everyone and she will be greatly and deeply missed.”
Xana would have been SABEW’s president in the 2018-2019 year, but she decided to step down after her cancer diagnosis. Still, she remained an active board member, most recently participating in our daylong board meeting in New York in November.
Her publications have garnered numerous journalism awards, including several SABEW Best in Business awards. In October, Xana received the prestigious Front Page Lifetime Achievement Award from The Newswomen’s Club of New York.
“Xana was a gem. She had this quiet confidence and charm. She drew you in and took command over situations and projects like SABEW’s Seattle BIB awards ceremony,” said Kathleen Graham, executive director of SABEW. “She was smart, observant and an exemplary board member. Her contribution and service to SABEW and journalism will be greatly missed.”
SABEW sends its condolences to Xana’s family, her colleagues at Quartz and her many friends inside and outside the journalism community.
A fund has been established in her name at SABEW. Learn more.
