Lisa Lucas, publisher of the nonprofit online magazine Guernica, has been appointed executive director of the National Book Foundation. She will take over from current director Harold Augenbraum on March 14.
David Steinberger, CEO of Perseus Books Group and chairman of NBF, noted that after an “exhaustive search process we could not be more pleased with the outcome. Lisa Lucas is a dynamic leader who has served as a passionate advocate for literature and has built an impressive track record of accomplishment in the not-for-profit world across theater, film and literature.”
Before joining Guernica, Lucas was director of education at the Tribeca Film Institute. In announcing her appointment, the NBF observed that at Guernica, Lucas raised the profile of the magazine, grew its audience and forged partnerships with the literary and cultural communities.
Under Augenbraum, who joined the foundation in 2004, the NBF sought to raise the visibility of the National Book Awards by such things as announcing the finalists through major mainstream media outlets. Among the initiatives started under Augenbraum were the creation of the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community; the 5 Under 35, a prize program that recognizes emerging fiction writers; and BookUp, an after-school reading program for middle-schoolers.
