Diane Zeleny

Diane Zeleny, RFE/RL’s Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy and External Affairs, is a national security and strategic communications leader with three decades of executive experience. She has designed and implemented successful communications and information strategies for US national security agencies, think tanks and non-profits. She has a deep understanding of today’s geopolitical challenges and how to position democracy and soft power organizations in Washington and abroad. 

Prior to RFE/RL, Diane served as vice president for external affairs and global engagement at both IRI and at USIP. As a strategic communications consultant, she advised the Atlantic Council, the McCain Institute for International Leadership, and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. 

Her career began in the U.S. government, where she worked at the US Consulate in Istanbul, the international staff of NATO, and as director of the State Department’s first Global Media Hub in Brussels. In the strategic communications realm, she advised the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. She has lived and worked in Turkey, Belgium, France, Germany and the Czech Republic. Diane speaks fluent French, some Turkish and German, and a bit less Portuguese. She serves on the Advocacy board of RAZOM, a pro-Ukraine charity that engages lawmakers to champion pro-Ukraine legislation, defense tools, and sanctions against Russia.