Suzanne Trimel

Senior Advisor, Communications and Media

Suzanne Trimel rejoined PEN America as a senior communications and media advisor in 2022 after a 2019 consultancy in communications and development. She has extensive experience working with organizations to drive ideas into the public conversation on priorities ranging from education and global human rights to health and the environment.

A journalist for a decade in New York and Washington, she served as vice president for public affairs at Barnard College and earlier, associate director of public affairs at Columbia University from the late 1990s to 2008. She then joined Amnesty International as U.S. media director where her work focused on human rights and social justice in the U.S. and abroad. In recent years, she has worked as director of communications at Outright Action International and as a consultant on branding, public relations and media and as a writer with the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, the International Budget Partnership, and the Hearing Health Foundation.


Articles by Suzanne Trimel

U.S. Free ExpressionLiterary CommunityOnline Abuse & Digital Safety
Thursday May 29

As Threats and Harassment of Authors Spill Over Into Bookstore Appearances, Safety Experts Offer Guidance

While threats against authors have always existed, the problem has spiked with the sweeping book bans in public schools since 2021.

World Voices Festival
Thursday May 22

Two Acclaimed Authors Look Back at Their Older Books, Now in Reprint

Iโ€™m fascinated by mythologizing, the incessant need we have. We may be hardwired as humans to do this.

U.S. Free Expression
Wednesday April 2

PEN America Joins News Organizations Asking a Federal Court to Apply a State Anti-SLAPP Law

The point of these lawsuits is to shut down critics by making it too costly for them to continue their reporting or advocacy.

More Articles by Suzanne Trimel

Banned BooksU.S. Free Expression
Friday February 7

A Passion for Books Sparks a Fight for Their Survival as School Censorship Rises

Banned BooksEducational CensorshipU.S. Free Expression
Tuesday September 17

Author Rex Ogle, Joined by Library Advocates, to Speak at PEN Utah Banned Book Week Event 9/23

Banned BooksU.S. Free Expression
Tuesday September 17

Paper Weavings Created from Banned Books to be Displayed 9/22-11/24 at Magic City Books, Tulsa

Prison and Justice Writing
Friday March 15

New Book Examines Why Reading Matters in Americaโ€™s Prisons and How Ordinary Citizens Can Make a Difference

Florida
Friday January 19

Conservative Commentator Bill Oโ€™Reilly Hits the Roof Over His Books Being Banned in Florida

Organizational
Monday December 11

Jennifer Finney Boylan on PEN America, the Crisis for Free Expression and the Power of Storytelling

U.S. Free Expression
Friday June 30

Celebrate Americaโ€™s Founding Bibliophiles on the First Day of July!

World Voices Festival
Saturday May 13

2023 PEN America World Voices Festival: Day 3 Highlights

World Voices Festival
Friday May 12

2023 PEN America World Voices Festival: Day 2 Highlights

Literary Awards
Wednesday March 8

From Movie Star to Book Translator, Molly Ringwald Makes a Splash (In Pink) at the PEN America Literary Awards

Global Free Expression
Thursday February 2

Scholar-Author Imani Perry on Listening Deeply, Turning 50, Writing About Historical Atrocities and Being a Mother

Banned BooksGalaGlobal Free ExpressionU.S. Free Expression
Monday May 23

Margaret Atwood Unveils Fireproof Copy of Bestseller The Handmaidโ€™s Tale To Be Auctioned by Sothebyโ€™s in Support of PEN America