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WHN Miami 2023: Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó

The first female mayor of the Dominican capital recounted how bringing her whole self to work has helped her succeed.

Speakers

  • Carolina Mejía de Garrigó, Mayor of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 
  • Susan Segal, President & CEO, AS/COA 
  • Maria Lourdes Teran, Vice President, AS/COA Miami 
  • Marina Olman-Pal, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

“We have sexism but that's not going to stop us from growing, improving, and working for other women,” said Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó. She delivered the keynote address at the 8th AS/COA Women's Hemispheric Network (WHN) Forum in Miami. 

In a conversation with AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal, Mejía de Garrigó detailed her journey from the private sector to becoming Santo Domingo’s first woman mayor. The key to her success, she explained, was "being myself and bringing to the table the characteristics of a woman." Indeed, Mejía de Garrigó highlighted the way women and women-led teams are better-equipped to handle the complex challenges of governing. 

Segal concurred and explained her experience navigating being a young mother in high-level meetings. If they need you, said Segal, they will gladly accommodate. Marina Osman-Pal agreed in her introduction, explaining, "Ultimately, we need more women in leadership positions, not just because it’s good for women, but because it’s good for business."

"And remember: sorority," Mejía de Garrigó concluded. "Be there for other women."

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