Nikki Haley served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 through 2019, becoming the first Indian-American in a presidential cabinet. As a diplomat, she affirmed the United States' willingness to use military force in response to further North Korean missile tests in the wake of the 2017 North Korea crisis, and supported Israel thirteen times. She voluntarily stepped down on December 31, 2018. Upon returning to private life Haley founded Stand for America, an advocacy group promoting public policies that strengthen America's economy, culture, and national security.

She previously served as Governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017, as the first female governor of South Carolina and the youngest governor in the country. Haley studied accountancy at Clemson University. She and her husband, Michael, an entrepreneur and combat veteran in the South Carolina Army National Guard, have two children.