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| Adrienne Vaughan | |
Tragic news: Adrienne Vaughan, president of Bloomsbury Publishing USA, died on Thursday in a freak boating accident while on vacation with her family in Italy. Her husband was injured. Their two children were physically unharmed. Vaughan was 45. Our deepest condolences go to her family, friends, and colleagues.
Vaughan joined Bloomsbury in 2020 as executive director and chief operations officer. In October 2021, she was promoted to president. She had previously worked in children's and academic publishing at Scholastic, Disney Publishing Worldwide, the start-up Little Pim, Oxford University Press, Disney Book Group (where she led the Disney Press and Marvel Press imprints), and Trustbridge Global Media. She had a bachelor of business administration degree from William & Mary and an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business.
"Our hearts go out to Adrienne's husband and children, parents, family and friends. Bloomsbury is doing everything possible to provide the support they need on the ground in Naples and in the U.S.," Nigel Newton, chief executive of Bloomsbury, said. "The loss of Adrienne is a terrible blow. Since she was appointed president of Bloomsbury USA three years ago, America has grown to become our biggest market.
"Adrienne was a natural business leader with a great future ahead of her. She was deeply loved by colleagues due to her combination of great personal warmth with a fierce determination to make the business succeed and grow. Her business instincts were outstanding and she loved authors, readers and her colleagues equally.
"Losing Adrienne is devastating for everyone at Bloomsbury. We thank all who have sent their thoughts, prayers and condolences to us and will convey them to Adrienne's family."
Earlier this year, Vaughan joined the board of the Association of American Publishers. In a joint statement, AAP board chair Julia Reidhead, chairman and president of W.W. Norton, and AAP president and CEO Maria A. Pallante said, "Adrienne Vaughan was a leader of dazzling talent and infectious passion and had a deep commitment to authors and readers. She was elected to the AAP Board of Directors this year and made an immediate positive impact, speaking as a featured leader at our annual member meeting and participating with purpose on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
"Most of all she was an extraordinary human being, and those of us who had the opportunity to work with her will be forever fortunate. We send our love and condolences to all those who are in shock and mourning at this tragic loss, most particularly her husband and two children, whom she spoke of frequently with great pride. We hold our colleagues at Bloomsbury in our constant thoughts and send prayers and very best wishes to her husband for the speediest possible recovery."
Vaughan's husband, Mike White, is v-p of finance at Scholastic, where he has worked since 2000.