Melissa Bell, Co-Founder of Vox and Publisher of Vox Media, announced today Swati Sharma, Managing Editor at The Atlantic, has been tapped as the new Editor-in-Chief of Vox—the premier explanatory journalism network. Sharma joins Vox during a moment of tremendous growth and will oversee its website’s editorial vision as the network reaches wider audiences in more places and in more formats than ever before.
“Throughout her career, Swati has combined a deep respect for great journalism with a profound understanding for audience needs,” Melissa Bell said. “I’m so excited to have Swati working with Vox during this incredible moment of change for both us and our audiences. She brings an appreciation of Vox’s distinctive journalistic mission and proven experience leading teams to consistently produce their best work.”
To our Vox audience, I’m Melissa Bell, Co-founder of Vox and now Publisher, Vox Media. It’s been some time since I’ve had a byline on the site, but I’m here to mark an important moment of. View Melissa Bell’s profile on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional community. Melissa has 2 jobs listed on their profile. Melissa Bell Vox Media, Inc.
Sharma joined The Atlantic in January 2018 and guided its digital coverage during some of the most consequential news moments in recent history, overseeing all of the site’s sections—Politics, Culture, Technology, Ideas, Science, Family, Global, Health—and was instrumental in the record growth of The Atlantic’s audience. She will begin as Vox’s Editor-in-Chief next month.
Melissa Bell Vox Bio
“From its inception, Vox has worked to provide a deep understanding of an ever complex and often confusing world. With a still raging pandemic, an overdue and ongoing racial reckoning, and a new Presidential administration, the work is more vital than ever,” says Swati Sharma. “I’m thrilled to join an institution that has strong values and a crucial mission and I’m looking forward to collaborating with the talented team already in place to continue producing work that dissects and illuminates big ideas, challenges long-held perceptions, inspires people to live better lives, and fosters the kind of discussion that leads to real change.”
Before joining The Atlantic, Sharma spent more than four years at The Washington Post, as Deputy General Assignment Editor and as Foreign and National Security Digital Editor. Earlier in her career, Sharma worked at The Boston Globe, where she coordinated live coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, which was cited in the Globe’s Pulitzer Prize for breaking news.
Sharma will be taking over from Lauren Williams, who served as Vox’s Senior Vice President & Editor-in-Chief. An extensive, inclusive search for a Senior Vice President of the network is underway; Vox’s new Senior Vice President will oversee Vox’s expanded leadership team, including the audio, video, business, and creative development teams. In November, Williams announced she’ll be launching Capital B, a local and national nonprofit news organization serving Black audiences.
Melissa Bell Vox
Vox enters 2021 with a strong foundation and an expansive mission to help its audiences live fuller, more informed lives. Along with its website that reaches nearly 30 million readers each month, Vox boasts a robust podcast lineup featuring “Today, Explained,” “The Weeds,” and more; and a television and short-form video department that includes award-winning series including Explained on Netflix, “Missing Chapter” and “Earworm” on YouTube, and “Glad You Asked” for YouTube Originals.