Joanne Leedom-Ackerman is a novelist, short story writer, and journalist.  Her works of fiction include The Dark Path to the River and No Marble Angels.  She has also published fiction, poetry, and essays in anthologies and literary magazines.  A former reporter for The Christian Science Monitor, Ms. Leedom-Ackerman has won awards for her nonfiction and published articles in numerous magazines and periodicals.  An emerita member of the board of directors of Human Rights Watch, Ms. Leedom-Ackerman has also served as chair of its Asia Advisory Committee. She is a Vice President of International PEN and was the International Secretary of International PEN and former chair of International PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee and past president of PEN Center USA. She currently serves on the board of directors of PEN American Center, The PEN/Faulkner Foundation and Poets and writers. She also serves on the boards of directors of the International Crisis Group and the International Center for Journalists and is on the Chairman’s Advisory Council of the United States Institute of Peace.  She is a trustee of Johns Hopkins University and a trustee emerita of Brown University.