The recent death of Wall Street Journal alumnus Cathy Panagoulias, a former deputy managing editor who was a fierce advocate for young staffers, has elicited a number of anecdotes on social media.

Cathy’s greatest skill, the one that separates true leaders from workaday managers, is that she was as vicious to the people above her as she was loving to those below. Life is full of people who say they have your back, and scarce on people who really do. I will miss her so. https://t.co/tJuA7ihtJB

— Conor Dougherty (@ConorDougherty) April 7, 2024

Cathy Panagoulias told me to leave WSJ because they’d never have an infographics / data person become a “real journalist,” even though I had plenty of bylines. I left & accomplished more than I probably ever would have if I’d stayed. Great career advice. RIP.

— Lauren Tara LaCapra (@LaurenLaCapra) April 7, 2024

Eternally grateful to her for my journalism career. Will always remember her sage advice, kindness and witty personality. Without her push to diversify WSJ, we would’ve lost out on generational talent, and I would’ve missed out on the great friends I made. What a legend/legacy. https://t.co/2xqnkfCJdU

— Raymund Flandez (@raymundf23) April 7, 2024

Cathy once told me that she became a copy editor at the The Wall Street Journal because back then, they weren’t hiring women as reporters at the paper.

She (in jest, I am quite sure) told me how she vowed at that time to one day become the head of hiring for the newsroom and… https://t.co/O17wdfw5yR

— Nick Timiraos (@NickTimiraos) April 7, 2024

Just learned the devastating news today of the untimely death of former WSJ editor Cathy Panagoulias. Cathy was one of the most beloved and legendary editors of the Wall Street Journal over the last 40 years and helped many young journalists including myself navigate a seemingly…

— jim carlton (@jimcarltonsf) April 6, 2024

Terrible news. Cathy was an amazing person.

She also asked me during a job interview if I wore the same suit when going out to see bands, which I found very endearing. https://t.co/Za0mHaQSkN

— Ethan Smith (@ethanwsj) April 6, 2024

Nearly 20 years ago, I sat in Cathy’s office for a job interview. I was a cub reporter at a small paper but she saw something in me.
I still didn’t get the job. Or the next one. But she kept answering my emails and suggesting me for opportunities, and eventually I got in the… https://t.co/3qXdvl4Nmq

— Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) April 6, 2024

I was 22 during my first visit to the @WSJ newsroom. I still remember my sit-down with Cathy where she gave me her card and said, “Call me when you figure out if you really want to be a journalist.” (I never did which was my bad! Then I didn’t get to work at WSJ until my 30s) https://t.co/ldPiIE2s6L

— Bourree Lam (@bourreelam) April 6, 2024

Cathy took a chance on me as a young reporter with little experience but lots of big ideas and potential. Her zero bullshit style was inspiring and intimidating. She was one of a kind — tho I am one of many, many journalists who lives she changed for the better. What a loss 💔 https://t.co/26UGdffkNa

— Candace Jackson (@candacejackson) April 6, 2024

Everyone should be so lucky to have someone as frank, funny and wise as Cathy Panagoulias in their corner, even for a little bit. I–and metric tons of other @WSJ journalists–owe her a monumental debt of gratitude. https://t.co/cmUikpSAhY

— Nikki Waller (@wallernikki) April 6, 2024

Cathy was a remarkable leader and individual. She led – and in doing so, she taught – by being frank and direct but also insightful and compassionate. Condolences to her loved ones. https://t.co/w1abAWO77d

— Gabby Stern (@gabbystern) April 6, 2024