Phil Klay Named President of PEN America After Dinaw Mengestu's Resignation
Phil Klay has been named the new president and chair of the board of trustees at PEN America, succeeding Dinaw Mengestu, who stepped down in July after leading the organization since December 2025. Mengestu's resignation followed PEN's release of a report addressing cultural boycotts impacting Israeli and Jewish authors, which he felt highlighted the organization's inadequacies in upholding free expression. Klay, who has been a PEN member and trustee since 2025, is recognized for his works including Redeployment, Missionaries, and Uncertain Ground. A Marine Corps veteran, he also heads the MFA in Creative Writing at Fairfield University. PEN co-CEO Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf commended Klay's leadership during challenging times for free speech, while Klay reaffirmed the significance of free expression and community dialogue for PEN America.
Key facts
- Phil Klay was named president and chair of the board of trustees of PEN America.
- Dinaw Mengestu resigned as president in July after PEN America's report on cultural boycotts and the "rising isolation and exclusion" of Israeli and Jewish writers.
- Mengestu had led PEN America since December 2025.
- Mengestu announced his resignation in a July 12 Instagram post, citing PEN's "ongoing failure to defend free expression fairly and equitably."
- Klay has been a PEN America member and a trustee since 2025.
- Klay authored Redeployment, which won the National Book Award, as well as the novel Missionaries and the essay collection Uncertain Ground.
- Klay is director of the Fairfield University MFA in Creative Writing and previously served in the Marine Corps.
- PEN America co-CEO Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf praised Klay's leadership amid "critical threats to free speech and democracy."
Entities
Artists
- Phil Klay
- Dinaw Mengestu
- Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf
Institutions
- PEN America
- Fairfield University
- Marine Corps
- National Book Award
Locations
- United States