Mr. Evans, who spent many years at CNN before joining NPR last year, takes over the top editorial job as the organization faces major funding challenges.
The company's shares rose more than 14 percent on the first day of trading, a sign of the health of the public markets and a willingness of investors to bet on new companies.
The intent is to protect health care providers who send the pills to patients in states with abortion bans, and to reassure patients who fear they could be identified.