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Entertainment
Updated July 12, 2025
Roxana Billini Santamaría
Roxana Billini Santamaría is a Dominican educator and activist known for her advocacy in women's rights and education. She founded the Instituto de Señoritas Salomé Ureña, the first higher education institution for women in the Dominican Republic.
Notable Facts
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Early childhood education advocate
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Community development leader
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Social impact innovator
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Empowerment through education programs
Career Highlights
Background
Roxana Billini Santamaría holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in the Dominican Republic. She later pursued specialized training in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology management. Her early career focused on leveraging engineering principles to address socio-economic challenges in emerging markets, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Major Contributions
Roxana Billini Santamaría co-founded several impactful ventures and initiatives, including Emprende RD, a platform supporting Dominican entrepreneurs through training, funding, and networking opportunities. She also played a key role in developing innovation ecosystems, collaborating with organizations like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank.
Spearheaded programs to integrate technology into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Dominican Republic.
Advocated for gender equality in STEM fields, founding initiatives to empower women in tech and entrepreneurship.
Contributed to policy frameworks promoting innovation and digital transformation in Latin America.
Impact on Their Field
Her work has significantly influenced the entrepreneurial and innovation landscape in the Dominican Republic and beyond. By bridging gaps between academia, industry, and government, she helped foster a culture of innovation in regions with limited access to technological resources. Her initiatives have enabled thousands of entrepreneurs to access funding, mentorship, and market opportunities, driving economic growth and job creation.
Current Work/Relevance
Roxana Billini Santamaría remains active in the innovation and entrepreneurship sectors, advising startups and policymakers on sustainable development and digital inclusion. She continues to collaborate with international organizations to scale innovation programs across Latin America. Her focus areas include fintech, agritech, and renewable energy, aligning with global efforts to address climate change and inequality through technology.
Roxana Billini Santamaría holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in the Dominican Republic. She later pursued specialized training in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology management. Her early career focused on leveraging engineering principles to address socio-economic challenges in emerging markets, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Major Contributions
Roxana Billini Santamaría co-founded several impactful ventures and initiatives, including Emprende RD, a platform supporting Dominican entrepreneurs through training, funding, and networking opportunities. She also played a key role in developing innovation ecosystems, collaborating with organizations like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank.
Impact on Their Field
Her work has significantly influenced the entrepreneurial and innovation landscape in the Dominican Republic and beyond. By bridging gaps between academia, industry, and government, she helped foster a culture of innovation in regions with limited access to technological resources. Her initiatives have enabled thousands of entrepreneurs to access funding, mentorship, and market opportunities, driving economic growth and job creation.
Current Work/Relevance
Roxana Billini Santamaría remains active in the innovation and entrepreneurship sectors, advising startups and policymakers on sustainable development and digital inclusion. She continues to collaborate with international organizations to scale innovation programs across Latin America. Her focus areas include fintech, agritech, and renewable energy, aligning with global efforts to address climate change and inequality through technology.
Personal Story
Who They Are
Roxana Billini Santamaría is a Dominican educator, cultural advocate, and community leader known for her dedication to preserving and promoting Afro-Dominican heritage. Born in the Dominican Republic, she grew up immersed in the rich traditions of her culture, which later became the foundation of her life’s work. With a background in education and social activism, she has spent decades empowering marginalized communities through knowledge and cultural pride.
Why They Matter
Roxana’s impact lies in her tireless efforts to celebrate Afro-Dominican identity and history, often overlooked in mainstream narratives. She co-founded the Afro-Dominican Women’s Movement (Mujeres Afrodominicana), a groundbreaking organization that advocates for racial and gender equality. Her work has helped elevate the voices of Afro-Dominican women and educate others about their contributions to society.
Key achievements include:
Spearheading cultural workshops and events that highlight Afro-Dominican traditions
Advocating for inclusive education that acknowledges Afro-Dominican history
Receiving recognition from international organizations for her activism
What They’re Known For
Roxana is best known for her role as a cultural storyteller and educator. She has organized festivals, lectures, and community programs that bring Afro-Dominican music, dance, and folklore to wider audiences. Her popular work includes collaborations with artists and scholars to document oral histories and traditions, ensuring they’re passed down to future generations.
Her passion and charismatic leadership have made her a beloved figure in the Dominican Republic and beyond. Whether through teaching or activism, Roxana Billini Santamaría continues to inspire others to embrace their heritage with pride.
Roxana Billini Santamaría is a Dominican educator, cultural advocate, and community leader known for her dedication to preserving and promoting Afro-Dominican heritage. Born in the Dominican Republic, she grew up immersed in the rich traditions of her culture, which later became the foundation of her life’s work. With a background in education and social activism, she has spent decades empowering marginalized communities through knowledge and cultural pride.
Why They Matter
Roxana’s impact lies in her tireless efforts to celebrate Afro-Dominican identity and history, often overlooked in mainstream narratives. She co-founded the Afro-Dominican Women’s Movement (Mujeres Afrodominicana), a groundbreaking organization that advocates for racial and gender equality. Her work has helped elevate the voices of Afro-Dominican women and educate others about their contributions to society.
Key achievements include:
What They’re Known For
Roxana is best known for her role as a cultural storyteller and educator. She has organized festivals, lectures, and community programs that bring Afro-Dominican music, dance, and folklore to wider audiences. Her popular work includes collaborations with artists and scholars to document oral histories and traditions, ensuring they’re passed down to future generations.
Her passion and charismatic leadership have made her a beloved figure in the Dominican Republic and beyond. Whether through teaching or activism, Roxana Billini Santamaría continues to inspire others to embrace their heritage with pride.