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Family members: Husband: Tarek Samad Children: Julian and Alexander Samad Paul Mastin conducted the oath of office and Ambassador Alan Leventhal presided over the ceremony.
NATIONAL—Nathalie Rayes, a distinguished Latina national leader, was sworn in as the new United States Ambassador to Croatia on Monday, marking a significant moment in American diplomatic history. Ambassador Rayes now stands as the first Venezuelan-American to hold this esteemed position.
“I am humbled and honored to be confirmed as Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia,” Ambassador Rayes said in a public statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “I promise to always lead and serve with integrity and in the best interest of our country, while continuing to strengthen our diplomatic relations with the people of Croatia.”
The U.S. Senate confirmed Ambassador Rayes last week in a 53-47 vote. Ambassador Rayes is now the second Latina ever to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Croatia and the fifth Latina currently serving as U.S. Ambassador abroad.
“The swearing-in of Nathalie Rayes as U.S. Ambassador to Croatia is an inspiring moment for both Latinos and the nation as a whole. During her tenure as Chair and later Vice-Chair of Hispanic Federation’s Board of Directors, I saw firsthand how Ambassador Rayes worked tirelessly on behalf of our community by bringing together the nonprofit, government, and private sectors to empower countless Latinos across the country,” said Frankie Miranda, president and CEO of Hispanic Federation. “As the first Venezuelan to be appointed as a U.S. Ambassador, Ambassador Rayes’ appointment is an affirmation of the incredible progress and contributions made by immigrants in our country. She is the perfect representative of our values abroad. I would like to thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer for moving her appointment forward and the Biden Administration for the foresight and courage to appoint an incredible and accomplished Latina as Ambassador to Croatia.”
Ambassador Rayes brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a profound dedication to public service, making her an exemplary choice for this crucial diplomatic role. In 2022, she was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as a board member of the United States Institute of Peace. Until October, 2023, Ambassador Rayes served as President and CEO of Latino Victory, a progressive organization working to grow Latino political power by increasing Latino representation at every level of government and building a base of Latino donors.
Ambassador Rayes has also served on multiple national nonprofit boards: She was secretary of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Federation, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Chair of the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality Binational Advisory Group, and an advisory board member of the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program. She was appointed by then-President Barack Obama to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the prestigious Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Ambassador Rayes was born in Anaco, Venezuela. Her family moved to California when she was nine years old. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology cum laude and a Master of Public Policy with concentrations in International Relations and Education.
In 1998, she was a State Department fellow in the U.S. Embassy in Cairo in the economic political section. She began her career in Los Angeles, the world’s largest 11th economy, as a Field Deputy and later Senior Policy Advisor to councilmember Mike Feuer. She then moved on to serve as a Deputy Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, where she managed the city’s office of Intergovernmental Relations, International Trade, and Protocol and helped establish the city’s office of Immigrant Affairs.
Prior to taking over Latino Victory, Ambassador Rayes was vice president of public affairs for Grupo Salinas in the United States and executive director of Fundación Azteca America. In 2011, she moved to Massachusetts, where she has left an indelible mark through her passionate and trailbraizing advocacy to advance Latino prosperity. Ambassador Rayes is married to Dr. Tarek Samad, an accomplished neuroscientist. They have two children: Julian, 14, and Alexander, 12.
Ambassador Rayes will soon assume her post at the US Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia, a close NATO ally. Her designation underscores the commitment of the United States to fostering strong ties in the Balkans, and advancing shared interests and values between the two nations.
Ambassador Rayes’ appointment also stands as a significant milestone in the advancement of diversity and representation within the U.S. diplomatic corps. Ambassador Rayes’ vision, leadership, and multicultural background equip her with a unique perspective that will undoubtedly enrich the bilateral relationship between the United States and Croatia.
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
