Evan Smith

Evan Smith is an American journalist and media executive recognized as the co-founder and longtime chief executive of "The Texas Tribune," a nonprofit, nonpartisan digital news organization focused on Texas politics and public policy. Before launching the Tribune, Smith worked at Texas Monthly, advancing through editorial roles to become editor and later president and editor-in-chief, contributing to the magazine’s influence in political and cultural journalism. His leadership at both organizations has positioned him as a significant figure in the development of civic-minded reporting and nonprofit journalism.

At "The Texas Tribune," Smith helped establish a model that integrates rigorous journalism with public events, data journalism, and innovative membership and sponsorship strategies to support nonprofit news. Under his direction, the Tribune became known for comprehensive coverage of state government, detailed election guides and legislative trackers, and in-depth reporting on education, health care, immigration, and the economy. Smith also promoted free distribution of the Tribune’s content to media partners across Texas, broadening the reach and impact of its reporting.

Smith’s public presence extends beyond the newsroom. He has frequently served as an interviewer and moderator at major forums, including the Texas Tribune Festival, where he has conducted onstage conversations with national political figures, policy experts, and thought leaders. Earlier in his career, Smith hosted the weekly public-affairs television program "Texas Monthly Talks" (later "Overheard with Evan Smith"), a long-form interview show on public television that highlighted his conversational style and ability to elicit nuanced perspectives from guests across the political spectrum.

Throughout his career, Smith has received honors for journalistic excellence and civic contribution, including recognition for the Tribune’s innovation in nonprofit news and its role in supporting democratic engagement. He has spoken and written extensively about the financial and structural challenges facing journalism, the decline of local news, and the importance of new models for sustaining accountability reporting. By addressing these industry challenges while building platforms that prioritize public service, Smith has become a prominent voice on the future of news and an advocate for the essential role of journalism in democracy.

After stepping down from day-to-day leadership at the Tribune, Smith has remained active in public discourse, continuing to moderate discussions, appear at conferences, and advise on media and civic-engagement initiatives. His experience leading newsrooms, interviewing public figures on television and live stages, and navigating the evolving media landscape makes him a trusted source for insights into politics, policy, and journalism.