Foley Diane

Diane M. Foley is a prominent figure in the landscape of American humanitarian activism, known for her commitment to the defense of journalists and international hostages. Born in Keene, New Hampshire, she earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of New Hampshire. She worked for 18 years as a community nurse and later as a family medicine nurse practitioner in Dover, NH. Diane is married to Dr. John Foley, a physician and former Army officer, with whom she raised five children, two of whom served actively in the armed forces.

Her life took a dramatic turn in August 2014, when her son James Foley, a freelance journalist, was brutally executed by ISIS in Syria. In response to this tragedy, Diane founded the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation in September of the same year, with the aim of promoting journalist safety, supporting the families of hostages, and influencing government policy on these matters.

Her efforts contributed to the reform of U.S. hostage policy, culminating in 2015 with Presidential Policy Directive-30, which established an interagency system for hostage recovery, including the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and the appointment of a Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.

In 2024, Diane published the book American Mother, co-written with author Colum McCann. The memoir recounts her experience as a mother and activist, including her 2021 meetings with Alexanda Kotey, one of those responsible for her son’s death, during which she sought to understand the motivations behind such atrocities.

Through her foundation and public advocacy, Diane Foley remains a powerful voice in the fight for press freedom and the protection of unjustly detained American citizens abroad, embodying an example of resilience and civic commitment.