Raquel Peña Rodríguez (born on September 10, 1966 in Santiago de los Caballeros) is a Dominican business administrator, academic, and politician, current Vice President of the Dominican Republic since August 16, 2020, being the third woman in the country’s history to hold this high government position.
Origin and academic background
Daughter of the renowned tobacco businessman Leocadio Peña Guillén and Estela Rodríguez de Peña, Raquel Peña completed her primary studies at the Sacred Heart of Jesus School and continued her secondary education at the De La Salle School, both in her hometown.
Subsequently, he entered the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), where he obtained a degree in Business Administration, in addition to undertaking specialized studies in education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, and innovation. In 2002, he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a double degree between PUCMM and the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada.
Personal life of Raquel Peña
In 1987, she married Marco José Antuña Cabral (deceased), with whom she had three children: Rosa Estela (lawyer), Marco José (industrial engineer), and Isabel Amelia (marketer).
Professional career
Raquel Peña has developed an academic career since the year 2000 at PUCMM, where she was vice-rector of administration until March 2020. Her experience in the educational field made her an influential figure within university education in the Dominican Republic.
Entry to Politics
On March 10, 2020, the then presidential candidate of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), Luis Abinader, publicly announced Raquel Peña as his running mate for the general elections of that year. Her designation was considered a surprise and a strategic move, highlighting her technical, professional profile and without prior party affiliation.
Raquel Peña
Vice Presidency of the Republic
Following Abinader’s victory in the July 5, 2020 elections, Raquel Peña assumed the Vice Presidency on August 16, 2020. Since then, she has played an active role in the management of the government’s social policy and was appointed as coordinator of the Health Cabinet amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading key actions such as the implementation of the national vaccination plan and the supervision of public hospitals.
Legacy and Leadership
Raquel Peña has been recognized for her technical profile, management capacity, and commitment to transparency and human development. She is seen as a key figure within the current government and has paved the way for female political participation in high institutional positions in the Dominican Republic.
Biographical File: Raquel Peña Rodríguez
Full name:
Raquel Peña Rodríguez
Date of birth:
September 10, 1966
Place of birth:
Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Profession:
Administrator, academic, and politician
Current Position:
Vice President of the Dominican Republic (since August 16, 2020)
Academic background:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration – Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM)
- MBA (double degree) – PUCMM and University of Quebec, Montreal, Canada (2002)
- Specialized studies in Education, Finance, Business, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Training in Business Incubators (national and international)
Professional experience:
- Vice President of Administration of PUCMM (until March 2020)
- University professor since 2000
- Coordinator of the Health Cabinet during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Supervisor of social policies of the government
Political affiliation:
Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM)
Date of entry into politics:
March 2020 (announced as Luis Abinader’s running mate)
Marital status:
Widow of Marco José Antuña Cabral
Children:
Rosa Estela (lawyer), Marco José (industrial engineer), Isabel Amelia (marketer)
