Jennifer Benka is the Executive Director for The Academy of American Poets, and is a published poet herself. In addition to her two collections of poetry—Pinko (Hanging Loose Press) and A Box of Longing With Fifty Drawers (Soft Skull Press)—Ms. Benka has had poems and essays featured in numerous publications and collections. She holds a BA in Journalism from Marquette University and an MFA in Creative Writing-Poetry from the New School University. (poets.org)