December 10, 2020, 9:46am
Earlier this year, Lisa Lucas announced that she would be stepping down as executive director of the National Book Foundation to become Senior Vice President & Publisher of Pantheon and Schocken Books. This morning, the National Book Foundation announced that Lucas will be joining the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and that the current Deputy Director, Jordan Smith, will be serving as Interim Executive Director of the Foundation, beginning December 18.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to announce these appointments,” said David Steinberger, Chair of the Board of Directors, in a press release. “Until we complete the formal search process to permanently fill the Executive Director position, we are very fortunate to have such an experienced and proven leader in Deputy Director Jordan Smith, and, of course, we are thrilled to welcome Lisa Lucas in her new capacity as a member of the Foundation’s Board.”
“I am grateful to have worked closely with Lisa Lucas and the Board of Directors for the past five years, and to have gained firsthand experience overseeing the Foundation, and maximizing the reach and impact of the work we do,” said Smith in the same release. “I am excited to help shepherd the Foundation during this important transition, and I’m especially pleased to have Lisa’s continued input and connection to our work as part of our Board.”