NEW YORK — Suzanne Nossel, the CEO of PEN America, will be leaving her position after over ten years that included significant expansion of the organization along with some recent controversies. She is set to take on the role of head at Freedom House, a pro-democracy organization, starting in January.
In a statement released by Freedom House, Nossel expressed her excitement, saying, “I am tremendously honored to lead an organization with Freedom House’s extraordinary track record at the forefront of fighting tyranny in all its forms.” This nonprofit organization was founded in 1941 with the mission of fostering opposition to fascism in the United States.
During Nossel’s tenure at PEN, which began in 2013, the organization’s budget grew impressively from $2 million to $20 million. Under her leadership, PEN implemented numerous impactful initiatives, including programs for prison writing and monitoring book bans. Each spring, the organization has hosted a prominent fundraising gala at the American Museum of Natural History and organized the World Voices Festival, attracting authors from around the globe while also recognizing outstanding literary contributions through awards totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
However, in the past year, Nossel and PEN’s leadership faced backlash from authors and individuals within the literary community regarding their stance on the recent Israel-Hamas conflict. A substantial number of writers criticized PEN for its perceived lack of a strong condemnation of violence and censorship directed toward Palestinian artists and journalists. After dozens of nominees withdrew their participation, PEN decided to cancel its annual awards ceremony and similarly, the World Voices Festival was called off amidst mounting calls for accountability.
On Thursday, in light of Nossel’s departure, PEN announced that Summer Lopez and Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf would step in as interim co-CEOs while the organization seeks a permanent replacement. Lopez has been the chief program officer for free expression initiatives, while Shariyf held the position of chief program officer for literary programs.
Jennifer Finney Boylan, President of PEN America, applauded Lopez and Shariyf for their dedication to advancing the organization’s mission of promoting writers and literature, alongside upholding free expression. “As chief program officers at PEN America, Summer and Clarisse have demonstrated their commitment to our mission,” she stated. The organization also conveyed their gratitude and best wishes to Nossel for her future endeavors.