Amid stories of resilience, leadership, and mental health, real estate and construction professionals gathered in Santo Domingo to reflect on the role of women in a field where they are increasingly taking center stage
SANTO DOMINGO. – A blue rose in hand and a magazine under their arm. That's how many of the attendees who participated in "Breaking Glass Ceilings" on Friday morning began to leave. The event was organized by Mujer de Concreto magazine, an initiative of the El Inmobiliario, dedicated to highlighting female leadership in the real estate, tourism, and construction sectors.
From 8:00 a.m., the atmosphere began to fill with conversations, greetings, and reunions among professionals in the sector. Architects, real estate agents, communication strategists, businesswomen, and consultants shared coffee as they prepared for a day that promised reflection, inspiration, and collective learning.
Shortly after nine o'clock, the master of ceremonies, Jafet Ramos, formally opened the event and gave the floor to Ana María Ramos, CEO and director of the El InmobiliarioMedia Group, who gave a speech that connected the history, present and future of female leadership.
Ana María Ramos, CEO/Director of Grupo de Medios El Inmobiliario. (Fidel Pérez/El Inmobiliario).
Ramos recalled that March 8th did not originate as a symbolic celebration, but as the result of real struggles by women who demanded rights and spaces for participation. In that context, she invited people to look at sectors such as construction, engineering, architecture, tourism, and real estate development, where women's presence has historically been limited.
To illustrate this, she evoked Dominican pioneers such as Francisca Angélica Romero Beltré, who graduated in engineering-architecture in 1941, and Margot Taulé, the first woman civil engineer and professional architect registered in the country, in 1948. Women who, she said, opened the first cracks in a wall that seemed impossible to move.
Ramos pointed out that, although women now make up more than half of the economically active population, their participation in the construction sector still ranges between 3% and 8%. For her, this figure represents both a challenge and an opportunity for new generations of professionals.
“Women didn’t ask for space. They built it,” the executive said, in a phrase that set the tone for the day.
Gisselle Ventura, CEO of Oferta Inmobiliaria, during her conference. (Fidel Pérez/El Inmobiliario).
Following her presentation, economist Gisselle Ventura, CEO of Oferta Inmobiliaria RD, delivered the keynote address, “Master Plan: Female Leadership.” With a relatable and honest narrative, she shared her professional journey and spoke about resilience, boldness, and the importance of not imposing personal limitations.
Ventura emphasized that female leadership in the sector is not a matter of chance, but rather the result of consistent effort and the ability to take on challenges. As a symbolic gesture, she presented the attendees with a "master plan," a tool for personal reflection to help them develop professional goals and projects.
Feminine structure
Yahaira Batista, during her speech at the meeting. (Fidel Pérez/El Inmobiliario).
After a brief break, the meeting continued with the discussion “Structure in Feminine”, moderated by Ana María Ramos, which brought together on the panel Judith Félix, CEO of Modern Properties and MP Soluciones Jurídicas; Yraimis Poueriet, representative of Tu Casa RD Punta Cana; Ruth Mendoza, digital communication strategist; and Itania María Chalas, clinical psychologist.
The presentations addressed female leadership from different angles. Judith Félix focused her remarks on the importance of legal certainty in real estate transactions and the responsibility of properly guiding clients.
He explained that the market has changed: today, investors research more, gather information, and analyze their decisions more thoroughly before buying. “Clients often make purchases based on emotion, but it is our responsibility to help them assess their financial situation,” he commented.
From a strategic communications perspective, Ruth Mendoza spoke about building a personal brand and the role of social media in professional development. Beyond appearance or presence, she pointed out, what truly matters are values, principles, and consistency.
“We can do it all, but not at the same time,” she said in one of the most talked-about moments of the panel, referring to the pressure many women feel to fulfill multiple roles simultaneously.
Yraimis Poueriet shared her experience in the dynamic Punta Cana real estate market and reflected on the ethical commitment of real estate agents. “I don’t sell what I wouldn’t buy myself,” she stated.
During his speech, he uttered a phrase that elicited nods of agreement and smiles from the audience:
“When one woman helps another… a star is born in the sky.”.
Between being, wanting, and being able
Alenny Garabito's reflections and comments during the event. (Fidel Pérez/El Inmobiliario).
The emotional dimension of leadership was addressed by psychologist Itania Chalas, who spoke about chronic stress, self-imposed demands, and the need to take care of mental health amidst professional demands.
She encouraged the participants to reflect on themselves, recognize their limitations, and seek support when needed. “It’s important to learn to be at peace with yourself,” she said.
For this professional, it's important that each woman recognizes the difference between who she is, who she wants to be, and who she can be. It's about being realistic in your aspirations, getting organized, and thinking about the future, about the step-by-step process of achieving your goals.
Yanerys de León, during her remarks at the event. (Fidel Pérez/El Inmobiliario).
As the discussion progressed, the dialogue became increasingly intimate and participatory. Several attendees spoke up to share experiences and raise concerns about self-esteem, professional growth, and work-life balance.
There were also reflections on the constant comparison on social media, the so-called "microwave effect" - the search for immediate results without process or planning - and the importance of building projects with purpose and patience.
Amid reflections on ethics, purpose, and resilience, the conversation led to a shared conclusion: female leadership is not just about occupying spaces, but about building them with vision, responsibility, and collaboration.
The magazine Mujer de Concreto seeks to tell the stories of women who are transforming the real estate and construction sector in the Dominican Republic.
As the conversations continued in small groups and the participants said goodbye with hugs and photographs, the feeling remained that, more than an event, the morning had been a space for meeting.
A reminder that, in these sectors where women were a minority for decades, every step, every project and every story continues to pave the way for those who come after.
More than a formal event, the morning left the feeling of a collective conversation among women who share similar challenges in their careers.
Through stories, advice, and experiences, the central message became clear: female leadership in the real estate and construction sector continues to grow, step by step, with determination and a vision for the future.
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