Have you ever imagined leading one of the most influential digital newsrooms in the U.S.? Swati Sharma, editor-in-chief of Vox, has built a career defined by innovation and a commitment to audience trust. Speaking at Northeastern University’s 2025 Reinvent Video Innovation Summit, she reflected on her path from journalism student to the top of Vox’s influential digital newsroom.

Known for her dynamic approach to digital media and her commitment to building trust with audiences, Sharma spoke to a crowd of students and industry professionals about the challenges facing modern journalism today. “There’s a real problem of trust and news avoidance among people right now. We have to be attuned to that,” she said.

From Community College to Northeastern

Sharma’s connection to Northeastern University runs deep. Her story of how she ended up at Northeastern is a testament to the power of mentorship and seizing opportunities. She began her educational journey at a community college before transferring to UMass Amherst, where her life took a pivotal turn. “I met this professor, Walter Robinson, who was one of the architects of the Catholic priest scandal investigation at The Boston Globe,” said Sharma in an interview.
Robinson, a member of the Spotlight team, went on to mentor Sharma and encouraged her to transfer to Northeastern, where he was about to begin teaching. “I transferred to Northeastern in 2006 and stayed for two years, which set me on the path I am on today,” she said.

That move and the strong journalism culture at Northeastern helped foster her passion for investigative reporting and real-world experience.

Building a Career Against the Odds

Like many young professionals graduating during the 2008 recession, she faced setbacks early in her career. Sharma worked at the Natick Mall, nannied and applied to graduate schools while searching for a foothold in journalism. “I was applying for grad school, trying to find jobs and finally got into Columbia,” she said.

Before landing at Vox, Sharma built her foundation in local news at The Boston Globe and Boston.com, where she started as a digital producer. There, she helped modernize the newsroom’s online coverage, blending traditional reporting with real-time audience engagement. The experience taught her how to adapt to fast-changing technologies while maintaining journalistic integrity — skills that would define her career in digital media.

Just before she was set to begin grad school, she received three job offers—all stemming from connections she made at Northeastern. She chose to accept a position at The Boston Globe instead. “I think that desire for the real-world experience at Northeastern just instilled in me, pushed me to actually not go to grad school at that moment,” Sharma explained. 

After several years at the Globe, Sharma joined The Washington Post, where she rose through the ranks as Foreign and National Security Digital Editor and later as Deputy General Assignment Editor. She managed large editorial teams covering global affairs, breaking news and national policy, while experimenting with new storytelling formats to reach readers online. That period shaped her leadership style and strengthened her belief that digital journalism could be both fast and deeply responsible.

Those early choices paved the way for Sharma’s next chapter — leading Vox.

Leading Vox with Trust and Innovation

Today, as editor-in-chief of Vox, Sharma is reshaping how digital news reaches audiences. “You don’t have to read five stories before you consume our journalism,” she said, highlighting Vox’s signature approach of concise explainers and deep, accessible reporting.

As both editor in chief and publisher, Sharma now oversees Vox’s editorial vision and its broader strategic direction within Vox Media. She leads initiatives that integrate editorial, business and audience development teams, ensuring the brand maintains transparency and sustainability. Under her leadership, Vox has continued to grow its presence across video explainers, podcasts and social platforms, emphasizing accessibility and clarity in how complex stories are told.

For Sharma, publishing is only half the job. Vox puts equal energy into how stories are experienced, using Instagram and other visual platforms that combine video, animation and bold design to draw readers in. Transparency is just as vital. “I love when journalists say they’re wrong — it’s the best thing we can do to create a relationship with our audience,” she emphasized.

Her philosophy of clarity and openness reflects a bigger mission: to give the public the information it needs to participate in democracy. “If we all care about a democracy… being informed is a key part to it,” Sharma said. That commitment, she believes, is what builds trust and keeps journalism relevant in an age of information overload.

Sharma shared these insights during her talk at Northeastern’s Reinvent Video Innovation Summit, inspiring students and young journalists to see how mentorship, persistence, and innovation can shape a successful career.