On July 5, 2006, April H. Foley was sworn in by Secretary Condoleeza Rice to be US Ambassador to Hungary.  During her tenure, April worked to improve the US-Hungarian relationship and advance US foreign policy on several key initiatives, including energy security, immigration, military commitments, anti-corruption programs and business advancement. April collaborated with the Ministry of Defense to significantly increase Hungary’s engagement in Afghanistan and gained US support for basing an innovative new NATO C-17 aircraft program in Hungary.  She launched an effort to increase awareness about the importance of energy security, with specific regard to the development of the Nabucco pipeline as part of the Trans-European Energy Network, which resulted in Hungary being the first European country to appoint a Nabucco Ambassador and to form a Nabucco Committee of Parliament.  She campaigned to enhance the climate for business, introducing an anti-corruption program that was highly acclaimed by the State Department and highlighted in Ambassador’s Review.  April worked successfully to get Hungary admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, which allows all Hungarian business and tourist travelers to enter the US without a visa.  She was also selected by the State Department to be the US ambassador featured by Forbes Magazine.  April’s State Department service ended in April 2009.

Prior to serving as US Ambassador to Hungary, April worked at the Export-Import Bank of the US. After first serving as a Director of the Bank, April was appointed to be First Vice President and Vice Chairman in 2003.  She drove the creation of the Trade Bank of Iraq, securing a $2 billion short-term credit facility.  She was one of six Americans on the American-Iraqi Joint Economic Council, which laid plans for strengthening the economic performance of Iraq. April worked with the Minister of Finance of Afghanistan to create a development strategy that laid the groundwork for foreign direct investment. As a Director, she chaired the Audit Committee and implemented Sarbanes-Oxley processes for the first time, bringing much needed transparency and accountability to the Bank.

Prior to her roles in the US government, April had an extensive career in professional management. She worked for 12 years as an executive for PepsiCo in roles including strategic planning, financial management, and mergers and acquisitions.  Her efforts resulted in the acquisition and integration of Kentucky Fried Chicken. April led the introduction of shareholder value approaches to PepsiCo corporate-wide, which resulted in an acceleration of bottling and restaurant acquisitions. She initiated efforts to enhance strategic planning, which led to the Pepsi Challenge.  At Wilson Sporting Goods, April introduced strategic planning, which triggered a significant product portfolio restructuring and business turnaround.  At Reader's Digest, April spearheaded efforts to diversify the business away from a very mature product line.  At Pfizer, she introduced annual planning at a new factory.

In addition to her business experience, April has held significant volunteer leadership positions. She co-chaired the Special Gifts Committee for Smith College's capital campaign. April served on the Board of Directors of the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution. She led the United Way of Northern Westchester as President. April was Chairman of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of Westchester/Putnam Counties. She was also Co-Chair of the Friends of the Northern Westchester Shelter.

She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Center for Democratic Transitions, based in Budapest, Hungary.  She is on the President’s Council of the Northern Westchester Hospital.  She is Co-Chair of her Harvard Business School Reunion.  She is a member of the Network 20/20 in New York City.  She is a member of the Vestry of St Matthew’s Church.  And she serves on the Finance Committee of the Tom Foley for Governor campaign in Connecticut.