“I believe a lot in my instinct. We have a spirit that guides us, and if we listen to that inner voice—that voice of God—we will always follow the right way“.
With that statement, Paola Ranieri, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of the Puntacana Group, opened one of the most inspiring interventions of the panel “WomanEs Directory: Female leadership in action”, during the inauguration of Grow 2025a biennial event organized by the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce and Production.
Ranieri shared with the public a leadership message based on empathy, listening and the ability to grow with the team.
He says that sometimes people don’t tell you exactly what they want, but if you know how to listen, you can understand what they need and resolve conflicts.
“To lead is not about what you say, it is about what you do,” he expressed, highlighting the importance of consistency and example in business management.
The executive also reflected on the challenge of earning a space in male-dominated environments. She stressed that sometimes we “arrive” being the youngest or the only women, but the position is earned with work and results, not with words.
“You must always focus on giving your best, but also on helping those around you grow, because it is the only way you will have a good team. Without a good team you will not get anywhere; no one gets anywhere alone“said the Puntacana Group executive.
Ranieri recalled that the challenges They have been a constant in his life, but also the source of his personal and professional growth.
“The challenges have made me growbecause when you face one, there are only two options: overcome it or stay behind. I have always decided to overcome them. “I have always chosen to move forward,” Ranieri said, adding that the important thing is to work with all your ability, make an effort, earn the trust and respect of others.
Anyarlene Bergés: “Leadership is co-responsibility and coherence”
The vice president of Institutional Relations, Communications and Sustainability of STARTAnyarlene Bergés, agreed with Ranieri on the importance of shared leadership.
“I try a lot to empower my team. It is something that I apply a lot,” explained Bergés, while giving them the power to decide together, because when they feel co-responsible, they look for the best result.
Bergés pointed out that coherence between what is said and what is done is essential.
“I lead a lot by example. In other words, I can never demand something from anyone on my team that I didn’t do myself. So, it’s something they see in me and it’s something I try to demonstrate: consistency. Consistency with what we talk about and coherence with what we do,” he said.
He specified that excellence It is a value that must be pursued every day.
Furthermore, he urged the new generations to maintain humility as a virtue: nothing happens if you don’t know something; ask. Humility to learn is a strength, not a weakness.
Biviana Riveiro: “You have to be at the table to influence decisions”
The executive director of ProDominicana, Biviana Riveirohighlighted the need for more women to occupy decision-making positions.
“A political scientist once told me: ‘Either you are at the table or you are on the plate‘, and that phrase marked me,” he said.
He stressed that women must earn your space based on workof that mission of responsibility and, above all, of effort.
“It is still a reality, although we have been gaining many spaces in the political part, in the private part, in leadershipin companies, biases do not cease to exist,” he indicated.
Riveiro called on the sorority and self-confidenceremembering that many times women doubt their preparation. It ensures that everything will never be perfectly aligned to take the step.
“We set the limit ourselves, the barrier in which we imprisoned ourselves,” he emphasized.
A space to inspire and strengthen business leadership
The panel was part of the opening ceremony of Grow 2025an initiative of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce and Production, aimed at training, accompanying and connecting entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
The event, which was attended by President Luis Abinader, seeks drive innovation and leadership as drivers of the country’s sustainable economic development.
