Desiree Hanford, professor and director of academic integrity and appeals at Medill/Northwestern University, longtime member and past president of the Board of Governors at the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, was presented with the organization’s President’s Award at its annual conference, #SABEW26, held at the DoubleTree Philadelphia Center City.
Hanford was honored May 8 for her contributions to business journalism and to key SABEW initiatives, including leading the organization between executive directors, co-chairing the conference committee, chairing the governance committee, being the first chair of the education committee and serving as a member of almost all SABEW committees.
“Time and again, Desi has given herself to the organization without asking for anything in return,” said Pia Sarkar, SABEW’s president for 2025-26 and deputy global business editor at The Associated Press, who also applauded Hanford’s efforts around promoting diversity. “Her commitment to SABEW has never wavered, despite all the demands on her time.”
Hanford teaches undergraduate and graduate courses that include news reporting and business and money reporting. She is the co-faculty adviser for the Northwestern Business Review. Prior to joining Medill, Hanford was an equities reporter for Dow Jones & Co. for more than 10 years, where she covered publicly traded companies and mutual funds.
“I am humbled to receive the President’s Award,” said Hanford. “It has been an honor to work with the amazing SABEW staff, officers, board members and committee members who always have the organization’s best interests at heart.”
