Suzanne Nossel

Suzanne Nossel
Name	Suzanne Nossel
Education	Harvard University (BA), Harvard Law School (JD)
Occupation	Chief Executive Officer, PEN America
Known for	Human rights advocacy, free expression leadership, author of Dare to Speak
Employer	PEN America
Title	Chief Executive Officer

Suzanne Nossel is an American human rights advocate, author, and nonprofit executive serving as the Chief Executive Officer of PEN America. A prominent voice on issues of free expression, censorship, and democracy, her career spans leadership roles in government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, including positions at the United States Department of State, the United Nations, and Amnesty International USA. Nossel is the author of the book Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All and is a frequent commentator in media outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN.

Early life and education

Nossel was raised in New York City and graduated from the Brearley School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, *magna cum laude*, from Harvard University, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She subsequently received her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, laying the academic foundation for her career in law, policy, and international human rights.

Career

Nossel began her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. She then served in the administration of President Bill Clinton as Deputy to the Ambassador for United Nations Management and Reform at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. During the presidency of Barack Obama, she held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs at the United States Department of State. In the corporate sector, Nossel served as Chief Operating Officer of Human Rights Watch and later as Executive Director of Amnesty International USA. She has also held leadership roles at The Wall Street Journal and PBS.

PEN America leadership

Nossel was appointed Chief Executive Officer of PEN America in 2013. Under her leadership, the organization has significantly expanded its focus and reach, confronting modern challenges to free expression such as online harassment, campus speech debates, and threats against journalists worldwide. She has overseen major initiatives like the PEN America Literary Awards, the PEN/Heim Translation Fund, and advocacy campaigns for imprisoned writers like Ayşegül Doğan and Kavita Krishnan. During her tenure, PEN America merged with the PEN Center USA and opened new offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C..

Views and advocacy

Nossel articulates a pragmatic defense of free speech, arguing for its necessity in sustaining democracy and social justice while acknowledging the real harms of hate speech and disinformation. Her book, Dare to Speak, frames free expression as a tool for empowerment for marginalized groups. She has been a vocal critic of book bans in U.S. schools, authoritarian regimes like those in China and Russia, and policies of the Donald Trump administration. Nossel frequently debates and writes on tensions between cancel culture, academic freedom, and First Amendment principles.

Awards and recognition

Nossel has been recognized as one of the "World's 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government" by Apolitical. She has received the Smith College Medal and an honorary doctorate from Macaulay Honors College. Her commentary and analysis have been featured in prominent forums including Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, and TED Talks.

Personal life

Nossel is married and has two children. She resides in New York City and maintains an active role in civic and literary circles, often participating in events at institutions like the 92nd Street Y and the Brooklyn Book Festival.

Category:American human rights activists Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Harvard Law School alumni Category:PEN America people