Nathalie Rayes

Nathalie Rayes (born January 12, 1975) is an American diplomat who had served the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia. Most recently, she was president and CEO of Latino Victory. She chaired the Hispanic Federation and the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Binational Advisory Group and was a board member of the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program. In 2022, Rayes was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as a board member of the United States Institute of Peace. In 2023, she was nominated by the United States President Joe Biden as US ambassador to Croatia. She was confirmed by the Senate on December 6, 2023, in a bipartisan 53–47 vote. She presented her credentials to Croatian President Zoran Milanović on January 25, 2024.

Background and education Nathalie Rayes and her parents moved from Venezuela to Marina del Rey, California, when she was nine. Her father died soon after moving to the United States.

Career

Nathalie Rayes was previously president and CEO of Latino Victory. She also chaired the Hispanic Federation and the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Binational Advisory Group, served as vice chair of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and was a board member of the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program. In 2022, Rayes was appointed by President Joe Biden to the board of the United States Institute of Peace. She was Vice President of public affairs for Grupo Salinas in the United States and executive director of Fundación Azteca America. In 1998, she was a State Department fellow in the U.S. Embassy in Cairo in the economic political section. She was sworn into the role on December 11, 2023, and presented her credentials to Croatian President Zoran Milanović on January 25, 2024,

Upon arriving in Croatia, Rayes met with Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić on January 29, 2024. Minister Anušić underscored the importance of deepening bilateral defense cooperation. Rayes highlighted Croatia’s support for Ukraine as exemplary. Discussions included ongoing US military assistance, such as the delivery of Bradley fighting vehicles and approval for the sale of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and HIMARS rocket launchers to Croatia.

Rayes also supported economic initiatives, including the expansion of the Krk LNG terminal, and advocated for legislation to screen foreign investments. In the fall of 2024, she hosted a regional summit of U.S. ambassadors in Zagreb to coordinate diplomatic efforts across the Balkans.

Chiefs of U.S. diplomatic missions from Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia attending the Chief of Missions regional conference in Zagreb hosted by U.S. Ambassador Nathalie Rayes in September 2024.

Honors and awards

In 2016, UCLA Luskin of Public Affairs recognized Nathalie Rayes as "Alumna of the Year". Rayes has been recognized by Huffington Post in the group "40 Under 40 Latinos in Foreign Policy" as one of the most influential Latina leaders in international policy. in 2021 AL DÍA Archetype Ambassador Manuel Torres Award, and in 2013, Santa Monica College Distinguished Alumna Recognition Award for Outstanding Professional and Community Service.

In April 2025, the Hispanic Federation awarded Rayes its 2025 Humanitarian Award for a "distinguished career" that "spans government, philanthropy, corporate leadership, and international diplomacy— grounded in a deep commitment to public service."

Personal life She is married to Dr. Tarek Samad, a neuroscientist, and they have two sons, Julian and Alexander.