ME Pensiero leaves Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal managing editor Karen Pensiero sent out the following message on Wednesday:

Dear Colleagues,

I’m leaving the Journal early next week after more than 37 years of incredible opportunities and adventures.

My work and time with each of you has enriched my life – whether it was making sure you were properly welcomed into this newsroom, that you got that great hire over the finish line, that we found the funding to do that reporting project, or when we talked through an ethical dilemma, a final-reading challenge, a tough headline, career development, an investment request, a budding story idea or any of the other countless interesting things that crop up here each day.

It never occurred to me in January 1984 when I accepted an offer to become a Dow Jones News(paper) Fund intern that I had found my professional home and was embarking on an amazing career that would send me all over the world, put me at the center of interesting and challenging journalism debates, and let me work beside such a wonderful assortment of smart, tough, compassionate and committed journalists.

I’m forever grateful to the people who took chances on me, supported me, put their trust in me and empowered me over the years. My deepest thanks to Matt Murray for being a wonderful colleague and boss, for believing in and supporting the importance and mission of the Managing Editor’s Office and for always championing the newsroom and me in all of the important moments.

Heartfelt thanks also to Gerry Baker, who asked me to create the Managing Editor’s Office five years ago; to Neal Lipschutz and Jay Conti, for their years of wisdom, humor,  patience and friendship; to the Journal’s excellent senior leadership team, to whom I’m eternally devoted; to our Legal colleagues for their steadfast guidance and support; and to Robert Thomson. And most special thanks to Kate Ortega, Nirosha Christie-David, Steve Wisnefski, Marie Boudette, Sarah Rabil, Donna Davis, and all other present and former MEO colleagues who have been such wonderful partners in service to you all. They’re passionate about you and your work.