Kelly Evans is an American business journalist and CNBC anchor, best known for hosting The Exchange. She was born on July 17, 1985. Her path ran from a Virginia town to the Wall Street Journal and then to cable news.
Today she reports on markets, the economy, and the Federal Reserve. This guide covers her biography, career, salary, family, and net worth. Some details stay private. Those are flagged clearly. Read on for a clear, honest picture of her life.
Biography
The table below shows the quick facts. It lists confirmed details only. Anything unconfirmed is marked “not publicly disclosed.”
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Kelly Evans |
| Age | 41 (born July 17, 1985) |
| Birthplace | Syracuse, New York |
| Raised in | Lexington, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Spouse | Eric Chemi (married April 22, 2017) |
| Children | Six, reportedly |
| Net worth | Estimated only, not confirmed |
| Profession | Journalist and television anchor |
| Education | Washington and Lee University, business journalism |
| Employer | CNBC |
| Social handles | Active on X and Instagram (exact handles not verified here) |
Who Is Kelly Evans?
Kelly Evans is a business news anchor at CNBC. She started her career in print at The Wall Street Journal. In 2012, she moved to television. Since then she has covered stocks, jobs, inflation, and interest rates. Her reports reach viewers across the United States.
Think of her as a translator. Wall Street speaks in jargon. Evans turns that jargon into everyday talk. A viewer at home can follow the story without a finance degree.
What Is Kelly Evans Known For?
Evans is known for clear market talk and sharp interviews. She hosts The Exchange on CNBC. Network listings place the show in the early afternoon, Eastern time. She has also anchored other well known CNBC programs. Those include Closing Bell and Squawk on the Street.
She also moderated a 2012 Republican primary debate. That event raised her national profile. Few young journalists get that chance.
Where Does Kelly Evans Work?
Kelly Evans works at CNBC. Her base is the network’s headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. She spent one year in London early in her CNBC run. That stint lasted from May 2012 to May 2013.
How Old Is Kelly Evans in 2026?
Kelly Evans is 41 years old in 2026. She was born on July 17, 1985. She turned 41 in July of this year. Her birthday falls in the middle of summer.
Early Life and Education
Kelly Evans was born in Syracuse, New York. She grew up in Lexington, Virginia. That small town sits in Rockbridge County. It lies near the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Where Did Kelly Evans Grow Up?
Evans grew up in Lexington, Virginia. Life there moves at a gentle pace. Mountains frame the town. History runs deep too. Lexington is home to Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute.
Her Virginia roots shaped her story. She stayed close to home for college. That choice paid off, as the next sections show.
Kelly Evans High School Years
Evans attended Rockbridge County High School. She was a gifted athlete there. She earned eight varsity letters. Those came from lacrosse, cross country, and track.
Think about that for a moment. Eight letters means long practices and early mornings. It also means discipline. That habit later helped in newsrooms with tight deadlines.
Kelly Evans Family Background
Her parents are not named in major profiles. Some websites mention a father called Dave Evans. That claim is unconfirmed. Treat it with care.
Her siblings are also not publicly disclosed. Evans keeps her childhood family out of the spotlight. That choice is common among journalists. It protects loved ones from unwanted attention.
Kelly Evans Education at Washington and Lee University
Evans earned her bachelor’s degree at Washington and Lee University. She studied business journalism. She graduated magna cum laude. That Latin phrase means “with great praise.”
Her school record was strong. She was a George Washington Honor Scholar. That honor came with a full ride academic scholarship. She was also a four time scholar athlete.
What Did Kelly Evans Study?
Kelly Evans studied business journalism. This major blends two skills. Students learn to report. They also learn to read financial data. That mix fits her later career perfectly.
Some sites list a different school or birthplace for her. A few name Wellesley College or Hartford. Those claims appear to conflict with major profiles. Stick with Washington and Lee and Syracuse.
Kelly Evans College Honors and Sports
Evans kept playing lacrosse in college. She was a captain of the women’s lacrosse team. She earned First Team All State honors. She also earned First Team All ODAC and First Team All Region honors.
She joined Omicron Delta Kappa as well. This national honor society recognizes leadership. Together, these awards show a pattern. She worked hard on and off the field.
Case Study: The Mock Convention Debate
Evans returned to her alma mater in 2012. The school held its 25th Mock Convention. She moderated a debate between James Carville and Ann Coulter. Both are famous political voices.
The match was lively. It showed Evans could manage strong personalities. A moderator must stay fair and firm. She did both. This skill later mattered on live television.
Kelly Evans Career Timeline and Achievements
Kelly Evans began her journalism career in 2007 at The Wall Street Journal. She moved to CNBC in 2012. Since then she has held several anchor roles. The timeline below shows the key steps.
Kelly Evans Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| 2007 | Joins The Wall Street Journal, covering real estate and economics |
| 2012 | Joins CNBC as an on air correspondent |
| May 2012 | Moves to CNBC Europe in London for Worldwide Exchange |
| May 2013 | Returns to New Jersey and joins Squawk on the Street |
| 2013 | Becomes a Closing Bell host after Maria Bartiromo leaves |
| 2018 | Moves to the new afternoon show, The Exchange |
| 2024 | Named to GOBankingRates’ list of influential women in money |
| 2026 | Hosts special Federal Reserve rate decision coverage with Brian Sullivan |
Exact dates can vary by source. Wikipedia and CNBC profiles differ slightly on some roles. The table follows the most widely cited details.
Kelly Evans Wall Street Journal Years
At the Journal, Evans started in 2007. She covered real estate and the economy. She also worked in the Global Economics bureau. Later she wrote the “Ahead of the Tapes” column. She contributed to “Heard on the Street” as well.
She also hosted the daily News Hub on WSJ.com. That role gave her early camera practice. It was a smart bridge from print to television.
Kelly Evans CNBC Career Begins
CNBC hired Evans in February 2012. Her first job was on air correspondent. She reported across the network’s business day shows. Reports at the time compared her to Erin Burnett. Burnett had just left CNBC for CNN.
That comparison was flattering. It also set high expectations. Evans met them quickly.
Kelly Evans CNBC Europe and Worldwide Exchange
Evans spent a year in London. She co anchored Worldwide Exchange from May 2012 to May 2013. This early morning show follows global markets. Anchors must track Asia, Europe, and the United States at once.
That year built her global view. She learned how events overseas move American stocks. Viewers still benefit from that perspective today.
Kelly Evans Squawk on the Street and Closing Bell
In May 2013, Evans moved back to New Jersey. She became a co anchor of Squawk on the Street. She also took a Closing Bell chair. She worked on that show after Maria Bartiromo departed.
Closing Bell airs near the end of the trading day. It is one of CNBC’s top programs. Sara Eisen later replaced Evans as a Closing Bell host. That change came when CNBC launched a new show for her.
Kelly Evans The Exchange
CNBC launched The Exchange in late 2018. Evans became its anchor. The show uses a newsroom feel. Reporters share quick, useful updates. Investors can act on that information.
As of 2026, listings still show Evans as the anchor. Yes, she is still hosting The Exchange. She has also co hosted Power Lunch at times. Her main role in 2026 is The Exchange.
Kelly Evans Major Career Achievements
Several moments stand out in her record. Each one shows trust from her employers.
- Moderated a 2012 Republican primary debate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Moderated the Carville and Coulter debate at Washington and Lee
- Anchored multiple flagship CNBC programs
- Wrote a respected column at The Wall Street Journal
- Helped host special coverage of a June 2026 Federal Reserve decision, reportedly with Brian Sullivan
- Earned a spot on a 2024 list of influential women in money
Case Study: Covering a Fed Decision Live
Federal Reserve days are tough on live television. Numbers arrive fast. Markets swing within seconds. Anchors must explain the news while it unfolds.
In June 2026, Evans and Brian Sullivan hosted special coverage. CNBC listings say it aired from Washington, DC. The topic was Kevin Warsh’s first rate decision as Fed chair. This kind of event tests an anchor’s skill. It rewards preparation and calm.
Net Worth and Salary
Kelly Evans’ exact net worth and salary are not publicly disclosed. CNBC does not publish anchor pay. Any number you see online is an estimate. Treat those numbers with caution.
Kelly Evans Net Worth
Websites give very different estimates. One source says her net worth ranges from about one million to ten million dollars. Another says three million to five million dollars. These guesses are unverified. They do not come from financial filings.
A safe summary is this. Her net worth is believed to be in the low millions. That fits a senior television journalist with over a decade at a major network. Still, nobody outside her household can confirm it.
Kelly Evans Salary at CNBC
Kelly Evans’ CNBC salary is not publicly disclosed. Some sites claim she earns 500,000 to 700,000 dollars a year. No official source backs that claim. It should be read as a rough guess.
Why such uncertainty? Networks keep pay private. Contracts include bonuses and other terms. Outside writers can only guess from industry norms.
How Anchor Pay Is Usually Estimated
Writers usually look at four things. First, they check the person’s years at the network. Second, they review the shows the person hosts. Third, they compare pay for similar roles. Fourth, they consider extra work like events and appearances.
Evans has worked at CNBC since 2012. She anchors a flagship show. Those facts suggest a strong salary. Even so, the figure stays an estimate.
Kelly Evans Annual Income Sources
Her main income is her CNBC job. She may also earn money from speaking events. That is common for business journalists. She could also earn from other media work. These extras are reportedly possible but unconfirmed.
Personal Life and Family
Kelly Evans is married to Eric Chemi. They wed on April 22, 2017. They reportedly have six children. Evans shares few private details in public.
Who Is Kelly Evans Married To?
Evans is married to Eric Chemi. He is a journalist who has worked at CNBC. Reports differ on his current role. One source calls him a former CNBC reporter. Wikipedia describes him as a CNBC reporter. Because of that gap, his current job is best left unstated.
Who Is Eric Chemi?
Eric Chemi is a journalist and the husband of Kelly Evans. He has worked in business and data reporting. His full biography is not widely published. Readers searching for an Eric Chemi biography will find limited detail.
How Did Kelly Evans Meet Her Husband?
How the couple met is not publicly disclosed. Both work in business media. That shared world likely helped. Still, no reliable source tells the story. It is best not to guess.
When Did Kelly Evans Marry Eric Chemi?
Kelly Evans married Eric Chemi on April 22, 2017. That date appears in her public profile. It is one of the few personal dates she has shared.
Kelly Evans Children
Kelly Evans reportedly has six children. Their names and ages are not publicly disclosed. She protects their privacy. That is a wise choice for a public figure.
Raising six kids while anchoring a daily show is a big job. Profiles describe a busy household. Details beyond that are scarce. Respect for their privacy matters here.
Kelly Evans Personal Life and Values
Evans keeps her personal life low key. She focuses her public posts on markets and news. Her roots in Virginia still seem important to her. Her sports background also shapes her work habits. She values hard work, steady effort, and team play.
Fast Facts About Kelly Evans
Here are quick, snippet friendly facts about Kelly Evans. Each one is based on public profiles.
- Kelly Evans was born on July 17, 1985, in Syracuse, New York.
- She grew up in Lexington, Virginia.
- She earned eight varsity letters in high school sports.
- She graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University.
- She studied business journalism.
- She started at The Wall Street Journal in 2007.
- She joined CNBC in February 2012.
- She anchors The Exchange on CNBC.
- She married Eric Chemi on April 22, 2017.
- She reportedly has six children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kelly Evans?
Kelly Evans is an American journalist and CNBC anchor. She hosts The Exchange. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal.
What degree does Kelly Evans have?
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business journalism. She graduated magna cum laude.
What sports did Kelly Evans play in high school?
She played lacrosse and ran cross country and track. She earned eight letters.
What shows does Kelly Evans host on CNBC?
She hosts The Exchange. She has also anchored Squawk on the Street and Closing Bell. She has co hosted Power Lunch at times too.
What was Kelly Evans’ role on Closing Bell?
She was a host after Maria Bartiromo left in 2013. Sara Eisen later took her seat.
What is Kelly Evans’ salary at CNBC?
It is not publicly disclosed. Some sites guess 500,000 to 700,000 dollars. Those figures are unverified.
What is Kelly Evans’ estimated net worth?
Estimates range from about one million to ten million dollars. Nothing is confirmed. A low millions figure seems most believable.
Conclusion
Kelly Evans built her career with steady work and clear talk. She grew up in Virginia and earned honors at Washington and Lee. Then she rose from The Wall Street Journal to CNBC anchor.
Her salary and net worth remain private, so treat online figures as estimates. Her family life also stays mostly out of view. For fans of market news, her story shows how focus and skill pay off.
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