Pallavi Gogoi has been appointed executive director of the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship at Columbia Journalism School, effective August 17, 2026, succeeding Robert Smith.
Columbia Journalism School (CJS) has announced the appointment of Pallavi Gogoi as the new executive director of the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism, effective August 17, 2026. Gogoi, a seasoned Indian American newsroom leader and educator, takes over from Robert Smith, who has directed the program since 2021.
The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship is one of CJS’s signature professional learning programs, having provided mid-career journalists with opportunities to deepen their understanding of business, economics, finance, and technology for over 50 years. The fellowship combines advanced journalism courses at Columbia Journalism School with core MBA classes at Columbia Business School, along with weekly private seminars featuring media and business leaders.
Gogoi’s extensive experience in leading business coverage and teaching economic journalism aligns closely with the fellowship’s mission. According to a school release, her background equips her with a unique perspective on the needs of working journalists.
“Pallavi’s experience as both a newsroom leader and an educator gives her a keen understanding of what working journalists need from a program like Knight-Bagehot,” said Jelani Cobb, Dean and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism at CJS. “She has the vision to honor what has made the Fellowship distinctive, and we look forward to seeing her build on that legacy and create new opportunities for its fellows.”
With over 25 years of experience in journalism, Gogoi has held significant roles at six major news outlets, including nearly a decade as NPR’s chief business editor. Her career also includes positions at CNN, the Associated Press, USA Today, BusinessWeek, and Dow Jones/The Wall Street Journal. In addition to her newsroom experience, she has taught courses on economic narratives at both Columbia Journalism School and Princeton University.
“I believe that economics undergirds every decision in life, which is why I am a torchbearer for journalism that sheds light on this topic,” Gogoi stated. “I’m so thrilled about bringing a lifetime of mission-driven work to this role.”
In a personal reflection shared on LinkedIn, Gogoi expressed her emotional connection to Columbia University, stating, “For me, this is coming full circle, on two fronts: personal and professional. I met my husband when he was a student at Columbia University, so I have always associated the campus with warm and sappy memories of young love.”
She also acknowledged the influence of Stephen B. Shepard, a co-founder of the Knight-Bagehot program and its first director, on her professional journey.
Gogoi is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, the South Asian Journalists Association, the Asian American Journalists Association, and the Asian American Arts Alliance.
This appointment marks a significant milestone for both Gogoi and the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship, as she aims to continue its legacy while fostering new opportunities for its fellows, according to The American Bazaar.