FDD elects a new board and recognises outstanding micro-business owners at its annual assembly
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- The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo (FDD) elected its board for 2025-2027 and recognised the most outstanding micro-business owners of 2024 at its 58th annual assembly.
Santo Domingo, D.N: -The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo (FDD) held its 58th annual assembly, at which it elected the members of the Board of Directors that will govern the institution during the 2025-2027 period.
This event, which also included special recognition for the micro-business owners who stood out during 2024, brought together business leaders, government representatives and members of civil society.
Presenting her report, María Virginia Elmúdesi, outgoing president, said that “During 2024, FDD achieved growth in its gross portfolio of 20.37%, with a portfolio at risk over 30 days of just 3.49%. These results reflect prudent, responsible management, completing a three-year period (2022-2024) with accumulated growth of 61.4% in the gross portfolio. Provision cover for the portfolio at risk over 30 days reached 108.3%, placing FDD above regional averages in terms of prudential management”.
She added that in 2024 FDD maintained its commitment to empowering vulnerable communities. “Through microcredit, business training and strategic alliances, FDD has supported small and medium-sized producers and service providers, who account for 32% of GDP and 61.6% of formal employment, according to the 2022-2023 National Survey of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”.
The Board of Directors elected for the next two years will be headed by Jean Paul Quiroz, who will take on the role of president; Pedro Díaz Cabral, vice-president; María del Carmen Ramos, secretary; Lil Esteva, treasurer; Eduard Gottschalk, deputy secretary; Susana Reid, deputy treasurer; María del Pilar Cañas, Alberto Álvarez W, Yolanda Valdez de Del Monte, Christian Pichardo and Christian Molina Estévez as board members.
Community impact and social focus
In 2024, the “Financially Self-Sufficient Women” project, in collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages and funded by the José Santiago Reinoso Lora competitive funds, benefited 297 women, strengthening their financial and professional independence. In addition, in alliance with Banreservas’ Coopera Programme, FDD supported 18 cooperatives from different sectors and 8 mentored projects together with UAPA, providing them with strategic advice for drawing up their business plans.
The collaboration with the Ministry of Women helped train 1,074 people in improving their economic independence. Likewise, the alliance with the company Acabados y Pinturas and its Sherwin Williams brand made it possible to paint the homes of award-winning customers of the Mi Casa Bonita product in Duarte province, a programme that will be extended to other communities in the future.
Recognition for outstanding business owners
The event ended with a moving tribute to the micro-business owners who stood out during 2024. those who are an example of economic self-fulfilment through the ventures and businesses with which they make financial contributions or create jobs, becoming an important part of the country’s economic and social development.
On this occasion the awards went to Santa Altagracia Félix Pérez, as entrepreneur of the year, for her “Camino Divino” nursery; Dolores Lluberes, as resilient businesswoman for her ornamental fish business; and, as outstanding micro-business owner of the year, Rosa Delmira Rodríguez Santos for her plant nursery La Compañía Jardín.
A group of companies was also recognised for its commitment to social impact as fundamental pillars of the mission of the Fundación Dominicana De Desarrollo (FDD): Asociación Cibao de Ahorros y Préstamos, Grupo Ramos, Fundación Reservas del País, Banreservas’ Coopera Programme and Rehabilitación.