Ayad Akhtar

Ayad Akhtar is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, novelist, and essayist known for his works exploring themes of identity, finance, and the American experience. Born in 1970 in Staten Island, New York, and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Akhtar is the author of acclaimed works such as "Disgraced," which won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and "American Dervish," a novel translated into over 20 languages. His work often delves into the complexities of Muslim-American life and cultural assimilation. Akhtar also serves as the president of PEN America, advocating for freedom of expression and literary culture.