I'm an American writer and nonprofit worker living between Lebanon and France. My debut novel, The Plans I Have for You, will be published by Simon & Schuster.

Previously, I lived in Washington, DC for six years, and Geneva, Switzerland for five. I have worked for both intergovernmental organizations and civil society on issues like climate change, Indigenous land rights, and gender parity. I have a master's degree in international affairs from The George Washington University and a bachelor's in business from Emory University.

My first name is pronounced like the English words 'lye' or 'lie'. (Et pour les francophones : Lai se prononce comme l'ail.)