At Poets & Writers, Figman Retiring, Gradel to Become Executive Director

Elliot Figman and Melissa Ford Gradel

After 40 years as executive director of Poets & Writers, Elliot Figman is retiring in January and will be succeeded by managing director Melissa Ford Gradel.

Gradel has been with Poets & Writers for 10 years and has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit arts sector. As a development director at Poets House from 2003 to 2006, she helped secure a permanent home for the organization in Battery Park City in lower Manhattan. As a consultant, she helped raise millions of dollars for a range of arts and cultural organizations, including the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Prospect.1 New Orleans. In the last decade, she expanded Poets & Writers' fundraising, worked with colleagues to develop new programs and guide strategic planning efforts, and spearheaded the Poets & Writers Covid-19 Relief Fund, which has provided emergency grants to 150 writers in 33 states.

Amy Berkower, president of the board of directors, said that Gradel's "contributions to Poets & Writers and her commitment to our mission made this a natural choice--and one that will provide continuity in a time of unprecedented change. The board thanks Elliot for his long and successful tenure and welcomes Melissa to her new role."

Gradel commented: "I'm incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside and learned from Elliot for nearly 11 years, and I look forward to building on his considerable successes. I am excited to lead our dedicated staff and to partner with the board to expand and deepen our service to writers. Given the historic challenges facing all of us, there has never been a more important time for our work, which is to inform and inspire writers and strengthen the literary community."

Figman came to Poets & Writers in 1977 as a volunteer and during his 40 years as executive director, he oversaw the creation of Poets & Writers Magazine, the launch of pw.org, the expansion of the Readings & Workshops program, and the creation of several awards, including the Jackson Poetry Prize. Figman was a co-founder of the Literary Network (LitNet), which advocates for the field of nonprofit literary organizations. Figman will continue to serve as a member of Poets & Writers' board of directors.

He said: "It's been my honor to work together with such talented and passionate colleagues. While parting is, indeed, sweet sorrow, I'm delighted to pass the baton to Melissa, who has a deep understanding of our mission, vision, and values and is uniquely qualified to take the helm. As I reflect on my time at Poets & Writers, I'm so proud that we've built this organization to be a widely respected and trusted resource for writers. We've had the privilege of touching the lives of a large and diverse group of writers nationwide, and that gives me real satisfaction. I'm extremely gratified to leave the organization in more than capable hands."

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