Who is Karen Ricardo? Biography of the Dominican lawyer and politician

Karen Lisbeth Ricardo Corniel, known as Karen Ricardo, was born on November 10, 1975 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She is a renowned lawyer, politician, and public servant, with an outstanding career in state administration, youth advocacy, and citizen participation.

Academic Background

Karen Ricardo is a graduate of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) with a degree in Law. Subsequently, she completed a master's degree in Public Administration at the University of Cádiz, Spain, as well as a master's degree in Civil Law from UASD and another in Administrative Law and Municipal Management from the University of Castilla-La Mancha. It also has a specialization in Intellectual Property completed in Brazil, and a postgraduate degree in Civil and Criminal Law, as well as in Industrial and Intellectual Property. He has complemented his academic profile with the Leadership for Public Management program from Barna Management School, with internships at Georgetown University, in the United States.

Political Career

Karen Ricardo began her political career as a deputy to the National Congress in 2006, being elected by the province of Santo Domingo. During her legislative management, she was part of commissions such as Tourism, Sports, Gender, Environment, Youth, Vote Abroad and Overseas Deputies.

She was president of the Permanent Commission before the Central Electoral Board and chaired the Bicameral Commission that analyzed the Political Parties and Groupings Law Project. She also headed the Permanent Youth Commission, from where she promoted key initiatives for the development of the young population.

Featured Projects

Among its most relevant initiatives is the Youth Internship or First Employment Bill, approved in the Chamber of Deputies and sent to the Senate. Its objective is to promote the labor insertion of young Dominicans, facilitating their transition to the labor market.

He also led the creation of EMPOWER YOURSELF, a project that seeks to foster the direct link between citizens and Congress, promoting participation, dialogue, and the socialization of laws and legislative initiatives.

Public Management

Karen Ricardo served as Deputy Director General of the National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI), from where she implemented important institutional reforms. Later, she was appointed as Director General of Special Programs of the Presidency (DIGEPEP) by decree 18-20 in the year 2020.

In this function, Karen Ricardo directed the Quisqueya Aprende Contigo National Literacy Plan, Quisqueya Empieza Contigo and Quisqueya Digna, government programs focused on social inclusion, education, and the dignification of the living conditions of thousands of Dominicans.

Personal Life and Political Commitment

She is married and is the mother of two children. In addition to her career as a civil servant, Karen Ricardo has been a key figure within the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), where she held the Secretariat of Municipal Affairs, developing a national agenda to support local authorities of the party.

Technical Sheet: Karen Ricardo

• Full name: Karen Lisbeth Ricardo Corniel
• Date of birth: November 10, 1975
• Place of birth: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Nationality: Dominican
• Marital status: Married
• Children: 2
• Profession: Lawyer and politician
• Political party: Dominican Liberation Party (PLD)

Academic Background

• Bachelor of Laws – Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD)
• Master's in State Administration – University of Cádiz, Spain
• Master's in Civil Law – UASD
• Master's in Administrative Law and Municipal Management – University of Castilla-La Mancha
• Specialization in Intellectual Property – Brazil
• Postgraduate degrees in Civil, Criminal, Industrial and Intellectual Property Law
• Leadership Program for Public Management – Barna Management School (internships at Georgetown University, USA)

Public and Political Positions

• Congresswoman (2006–2020)
• President of the Permanent Commission before the JCE
• President of the Bicameral Commission on the Party Law
• President of the Permanent Youth Commission
• Deputy Director General of the National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI)
• General Director of Special Programs of the Presidency (DIGEPEP) – Decree 18-20 (2020)
• Secretary of Municipal Affairs of the PLD

Featured Projects

• Youth Internship or First Employment Bill
• EMPOWER YOURSELF Initiative
• Direction of social programs:
  • Quisqueya Learns With You
  • Quisqueya Starts With You
  • Quisqueya Dignified

Languages

• Spanish (native)
• English (intermediate)