PEN America Faces Leadership Change Amid Controversy

The president of PEN America has resigned following a new controversy related to Israel. This marks another instance of internal challenges faced by the organization.

At 6:30 a.m. EDT on July 27, 2026, the transition in leadership was confirmed. Previously, Dinaw Mengestu, the then-president of PEN America, was photographed attending the spring gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on May 14.

PEN America is renowned for advocating for the intersection of literature and human rights. It focuses on protecting free expression both in the United States and globally, according to its website. In recent years, however, the organization has encountered more political disagreements and negative publicity.