Newhouse School Mourns Passing of Audra Weiss ’89 

Audra Weiss ’89 played a pivotal role in building the global health innovation company Real Chemistry. She gave back to Syracuse University as a benefactor for initiatives and projects that equipped communications students with the digital skills and expertise needed to succeed in the workplace. 

When Weiss was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, she became a passionate advocate for early cancer detection and diagnosis, and holistic care. Weiss died Tuesday. She was 57.

Her husband Jim Weiss ’87 and their two children, Ethan and Emily, were at her side. “Audra was a quiet yet powerful force who walked through life exuding grace, strength and class,” the family said.  

Audra Weiss graduated from the Whitman School of Management, while her husband graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Newhouse. Jim Weiss founded Real Chemistry in 2001.  

In 2012, a gift from Audra and Jim Weiss established the Weiss Center at the Newhouse School. The Weiss Center’s goal is to ensure students are immersed and educated in the digital world as they prepare for careers across the communications industries.  

Nine years later, the Weisses returned to Newhouse for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new, state-of-the art classroom established by a gift from Real Chemistry. The Emerging Insights Lab is a social media command center that serves as a central hub for the interfacing of digital media monitored and studied by students and faculty.

“Audra Weiss’ support meant so much to Syracuse University. She will always be remembered at Newhouse for her dedication to helping our students succeed, collaborating with Jim on mentorships, career advice, classroom visits or the many other ways they gave back big and small,” Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato said.

“We mourn her passing and extend our deepest condolences to Jim, Ethan, Emily and the rest of the Weiss family.”

Born and raised on Long Island in Coram, New York, Audra Weiss worked in healthcare communications after graduating from Whitman. She connected with Jim through a mutual friend—they worked in the same field and shared a love for Syracuse University, though they never met while at school. They were married for nearly 25 years.  

“She knew from the get-go that she’d happily trade in her stellar professional career for a lifelong role of motherhood.  She welcomed Ethan and Emily into the world and devoted herself to her calling,” her family said.  

“Audra’s intellect and brilliance shined in the backdrop of Jim’s entrepreneurial quest to build a leading global communications firm,” the family said.  “As an advisor and confidant, Audra made her mark on the business that would become Real Chemistry. To her, success was a vehicle to do good—giving back through the ‘Weiss Family Office.’” 

After being diagnosed with cancer, Weiss became a staunch advocate for the care of those living with cancer. She shared her wisdom about her cancer journey and connected with the Dempsey Center, joining the board of the organization founded by actor Patrick Dempsey. The Dempsey Center provides personalized and comprehensive cancer care at no cost. 

The Weiss family said it would continue to advocate for early cancer detection and diagnosis, as well as advocating for treating cancer “holistically, not just with pharmaceuticals but with wraparound care that makes the journey a much better experience for patients and their families.” 

Services will be held Jan. 8 in San Francisco. The family has said donations in Weiss’ memory can be made to the Dempsey Center, Family Reach, Hope Lodge and the Cancer Research Institute.