# Recognition of Dominican women leadership

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/recognition-of-dominican-women-leadership
> Updated: 2026-09-08T08:02:23.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

In August 2026, the Viva La Mujer Awards announced nominations for Dominican women recognized for leadership and professional excellence. Nominees included entrepreneur Kenia Fernández, noted for her business ventures in the United States and the Dominican Republic, and professor Ileana Ramírez Portorreal, recognized for her work at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo and its ties to the Dominican diaspora.

By September 2026, the focus shifted to the fifth edition of the ‘Mujeres que Brillan’ awards, held as part of the Days to Shine celebrations. The eighth edition of the event, hosted at the Hotel El Embajador, recognized 11 women for their professional impact. The ceremony featured Venezuelan entertainer Erika de la Vega as the godmother, alongside remarks from Minister of Women Gloria Reyes and music producer Emilio Estefan.

Recipients included Mónica Varela in fashion for her work with Dominican amber and larimar, Tania Báez for her reinvention from media to wellness mentorship, and Diomaris Musa for her professional trajectory. Other honorees included Chandra Capozzi in sports, Noribel Medina de Haché in tourism, Luisa Feliz in gastronomy, and Alba Vásquez, who was recognized in the ‘Next Gen’ category as the country’s first analog astronaut.

In conjunction with the awards, the event hosted the ‘El Poder de la Mujer’ workshop. Led by CEOs Anyela González and Scarlet García, the session focused on self-esteem, resilience, and leadership to encourage professional growth.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Days to Shine celebrates women's achievements in Dominican Republic

The Days to Shine event in the Dominican Republic celebrated the 'Mujeres que Brillan' awards, honoring 11 women for their professional contributions, alongside empowerment workshops.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/days-to-shine-celebrates-womens-achievements-in-dominican-republic

### 2026-09-04: Mujeres que Brillan awards celebrates Dominican women

The fifth ‘Mujeres que Brillan’ awards celebrated influential women in the Dominican Republic, honoring leaders in fashion, media, and professional development.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mujeres-que-brillan-awards-celebrates-dominican-women

### 2026-08-18: Viva La Mujer Awards nominates Dominican women for leadership

Dominican women Kenia Fernández and Ileana Ramírez Portorreal have been nominated for the Viva La Mujer Awards 2026, recognizing achievements in entrepreneurship and education.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/viva-la-mujer-awards-nominates-dominican-women-for-leadership

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Cite as: Recognition of Dominican women leadership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/recognition-of-dominican-women-leadership