• by Ray Schultz , Yesterday

NPR has appointed Thomas Evans as editor in chief and Marta McLellan Ross as chief of staff.

Evans replaces Edith Chapin, who is departing after a three-year stint.  

The new editor in chief, who joined NPR in 2024, most recently served as managing editor, editorial review. Evans led an editorial enhancements program that improved NPR's newsroom workflow and served as a “backstop” process.

Previously, Evans was vice president and London bureau chief at CNN during an eight-year tenure. He oversaw operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, managing 17 bureaus and approximately 500 employees.

"NPR's mission is as important today as it ever has been," says Evans. "Its value is built on the finest journalists in the nation, and I am proud to have been asked to lead this newsroom at this crucial time as we continue to serve our listeners and the pursuit of truth.

McLellan Ross has headed NPR policy and representation team since 2021. This unit advocates for public media and freedom of the press to Congress and state and local governments.