Sonal Shah is The Texas Tribune’s next CEO

I’m writing with thrilling news from the board of administrators of The Texas Tribune.

With nice satisfaction and anticipation concerning the Trib’s future, I’m delighted to announce that Sonal Shah will grow to be the group’s chief govt officer, beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

It’s been a privilege for the board to seek out somebody who embodies the entire qualities and {qualifications} we recognized The Texas Tribune needing in its next chief. Our north star was to seek out an govt with a ardour for the work we do right here on the Trib, and a frontrunner with each a deep understanding of the useful and monetary wants of a mission-based group and a monitor file of high-impact management. We’ve discovered simply such a CEO.

Sonal embodies all these qualities and extra. She has deep Texas roots. She has a unprecedented file in fundraising and strategic management. She has found out learn how to evolve the enterprise fashions of organizations she’s led to remain forward of the instances. Her dedication to the ideas of range, fairness and inclusion are evident in each side of her work. Above all, Sonal is a champion of a free, unbiased press who understands that reliable journalism is the bulwark of democracy.

In Sonal, the Tribune can have a enterprise chief who can construct on the successes of the previous 13 years and work with the employees, board and all our stakeholders on behalf of readers to determine the group’s path to thriving over the next decade (and past). She will drive technique and oversee fundraising, operations and enterprise growth, guaranteeing the monetary well being and independence of the Trib. Sonal can be a collaborative accomplice with Sewell Chan, the Tribune’s editor in chief, guaranteeing that the operational and monetary wants of the newsroom are well-supported. Under her management, Sewell will proceed to supervise the Tribune’s newsroom and its journalism, which was just lately acknowledged with a National Edward R. Murrow Award.

A primary-generation immigrant, Sonal grew up in Houston. Through a profession that has taken her world wide — with stops at Google, the White House and Georgetown University, amongst different distinguished posts — she has at all times made Texas her residence base. She was the founding president of The Asian American Foundation, based mostly in Houston, and can be becoming a member of the Trib from her function as an govt vp at United Way, one of many world’s main nonprofits. With her mixture of nonprofit, public sector and personal sector expertise; her deep understanding of coverage and know-how; and her ardour for constructing a stronger future for Texas and our nation, Sonal Shah is the best chief for The Texas Tribune’s next chapter.

And what a basis she has to construct on. Since its launch, the Tribune has raised a formidable $112 million to fund the newsroom’s bold reporting, and at the moment attracts practically 4 million month-to-month distinctive guests to the vacation spot web site. The group boasts greater than 175,000 publication subscribers and has 10,000 present members. Current CEO and Tribune co-founder Evan Smith has been profitable by all measures in his time main the Tribune, and we’re grateful for his dedication to constructing the nation’s most authoritative supply of news and information on Texas. Evan has endorsed our decide in his successor, calling Sonal “an inspired choice” and “the transformational leader we need right now — that the Tribune and Texas need right now.” We couldn’t agree extra. Evan will keep within the Tribune’s orbit, shifting to the function of an adviser to the group after the brand new 12 months.

And whereas we on the board watch because the Tribune continues to construct a greater, extra knowledgeable Texas sooner or later at a time via sincere reporting and thru easy-to-reach and free group dialog occasions, and to alter the media panorama whereas doing it, we’re totally conscious that the success of the Tribune begins with you. The Texas Tribune is potential due to you. Readers, members, subscribers, followers, occasion attendees, sponsors — you make it potential for the persevering with affect the Tribune has on Texas. As we method this second of transition, I and all of the members of the board stay in awe of The Texas Tribune. Sonal, I do know, shares that admiration and may’t wait to get began on the work of forging The Texas Tribune’s next chapter and starting with you, the reader.

Jim Schachter is the chair of The Texas Tribune’s board of administrators and the president and CEO of New Hampshire Public Radio.

Disclosure: Google has been a monetary supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news group that is funded partially by donations from members, foundations and company sponsors. Financial supporters play no function within the Tribune’s journalism. Find an entire list of them here.