Litro USA Team

We operate with a highly skilled, flexible team that drives our initiatives forward. Our team members play pivotal roles in ensuring that Litro continues to deliver innovative literary content to a global audience.

  • Eric Akoto

    Eric Akoto

    Eric Akoto is the Founder and publisher of Litro Media, he is an author and advocate for diverse voices. Outside of work, Eric is a father, a dedicated runner and tennis player, a proponent of fairness and free speech, and a firm believer in the grounding power of morning meditation.

  • Hannah Weber

    Hannah Weber

    Section Reader — Arts/Culture/Books (Volunteer)

    Hannah is a German-Canadian writer and critic based in Brighton & Hove. Her work has appeared in World Literature Today, Words Without Borders, Asymptote, and elsewhere.

  • Francesca Spiegel, PhD

    Francesca Spiegel, PhD

    Section Reader — Essays & Hybrid Nonfiction (Volunteer)

    Francesca is a Los Angeles–based editor and writer with a background in literary nonfiction and research-driven work. She has been with Exposition Review (2023–present) as a reader, associate editor, flash fiction contest judge, and nonfiction associate editor. She previously edited an essay collection published by Bloomsbury (2020) and served as Books & Literature editor at IndieBerlin (now IndieRepublik) (2014–2016), and nonfiction editor at Palimpsest (2007).

  • Alison Williams

    Alison Williams

    Section Reader — Reviews & Fiction (Volunteer)

    Alison is a freelance editor and writer. Since completing a Master’s in Creative Writing (2012), she has worked across 600+ projects spanning historical and literary fiction, horror, memoir, YA, fantasy, short stories, poetry, and more.


Litro USA Board


To support Litro’s mission and long-term growth, our Board operates through four focused committees: Editorial & Contributor Equity: Guides story curation and ensures diverse, representative voices are centered in our programming. Fundraising & Strategic Planning: Oversees donor engagement, multi-year planning, and NYSCA compliance. Finance Subcommittee: Reviews budgets, forecasts, and P&Ls quarterly, led by our board-based financial advisor. Legal Advisory: Focuses on copyright, IP law, and ethical AI, supporting the Creative Rights Toolkit. These committees provide critical oversight and strategic input across editorial, financial, and legal dimensions—strengthening Litro’s capacity as both a publisher and a public-serving arts organization.

  • Eric Akoto, FRSA

    Eric Akoto, FRSA

    Founder & President

    Eric Akoto the publisher and founder of Litro Media, he leads efforts to develop cutting-edge digital security solutions that empower artists in the digital space. An author and advocate for diverse voices, Eric has written for various publications and contributed to various books. He also guest curates and comperes at festivals such as Brooklyn Book Festival to the Jaipur Literary Festival in India. Outside of work, Eric is a father, a dedicated runner and tennis player, a proponent of fairness and free speech, and a firm believer in the grounding power of morning meditation.

  • Ellen Oppenheim

    Ellen Oppenheim

    Board Member

    Former Chief Marketing Officer at Condé Nast, Ellen is a media strategist with a background in publishing, branding, and audience development. She brings insight into nonprofit scale, sustainability, and U.S. market positioning.

  • Maria Salvatierra

    Maria Salvatierra

    Advisory Member, Former Chair 2019–2022

    Maria is a communications strategist with over 15 years of experience in arts marketing, cultural programming, and audience development. She has worked with leading institutions including the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston and the American Repertory Theater. A former Chair of Litro Media Inc. (2020–2022), she continues to support initiatives that expand access to the arts and elevate diverse creative voices. Board member since 2025.

  • André Des Rochers

    André Des Rochers

    Media & Legal Advisory Committee Former Board Member 2019–2022

    André Des Rochers is a founding partner of Granderson Des Rochers, LLP. He specializes in film and television transactions, and represents a diverse group of actors, directors, writers, authors, and producers in high-profile deals. André’s clients have included numerous Academy Award and Golden Globe winners and nominees.
    André served as Board member between 2019 – 2023.

  • Pico Iyer

    Pico Iyer

    Board Member

    Celebrated essayist and longtime Litro contributor, Pico brings a deep global perspective to Litro’s mission. His work explores themes of place, identity, and cultural continuity—values that align closely with our editorial vision and international reach.

  • Mark Bradford

    Mark Bradford

    Board member, Chairman

    Mark is an attorney specializing in intellectual property, nonprofit, and entertainment law, with over two decades of experience in commercial litigation and creative industry legal strategy. A graduate of Brown and Fordham Law, he is founder of Mark Bradford, P.C., and counsel to artists, filmmakers, and institutions including Electronic Arts Intermix. He lives in Brooklyn.