Carolina Rendón Named World Bank Resident Representative for Dominican Republic

The World Bank has appointed Carolina Rendón as its new Resident Representative for the Dominican Republic, succeeding Alexandria Valerio who held the position for the past five years. Based in Santo Domingo, Ms. Rendón will lead the Bank’s engagement with the Dominican government, civil society, international partners, and key stakeholders to advance sustainable development goals in the country.

Leadership Focus: Strengthening Human Capital and Climate Resilience

In her new role, Ms. Rendón will guide the implementation of the World Bank’s 2022–2026 Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which prioritizes strengthening human capital, expanding employment opportunities, enhancing public service quality, and boosting climate resilience. She will oversee a robust portfolio of projects aimed at supporting the Dominican Republic’s development agenda across diverse sectors including energy, health, social protection, housing, and resilient agriculture.

Working closely with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)—both part of the World Bank Group—Ms. Rendón will also foster private sector development and help attract investment by mitigating political and financial risks.

Extensive Global Experience and Regional Expertise

A Peruvian national, Carolina Rendón joined the World Bank in 2005 and has since accumulated extensive experience in public sector reforms across Latin America, Europe, Central Asia, and Africa. She previously led the governance portfolio in Romania, focusing on areas such as public sector management, justice sector reform, and digital governance. Most recently, she served as the World Bank Resident Representative in Uruguay.

Ms. Rendón’s familiarity with the Dominican Republic is longstanding. She was a key member of the World Bank team that supported the Participatory Anti-Corruption Initiative (IPAC) in the country between 2010 and 2012. This government-led program aimed to enhance transparency, citizen engagement, and accountability in public decision-making.

Academic Background and Early Career

Ms. Rendón is a trained lawyer from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, where she also earned a degree in Humanities and Liberal Arts. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business Law from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Before joining the World Bank, she worked in the legal department of Shell and served on the advisory team for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru.

Managing a $1.89 Billion Portfolio

The World Bank’s current portfolio in the Dominican Republic totals approximately $1.89 billion, comprising ten investment projects spanning energy, health, housing, water and sanitation, agriculture resilience, social protection, and state modernization. Key programs include:

• $400 million in budgetary support for climate change response

• A $250 million Program-for-Results supporting water sector improvements

• A $230 million catastrophe deferred drawdown option (Cat DDO) to manage disaster risk

• An Emissions Reduction Payment Agreement valued up to $25 million

Under Ms. Rendón’s stewardship, these initiatives will be advanced to help the Dominican Republic tackle critical development challenges while promoting sustainable, inclusive growth.

Outlook and Strategic Engagement

Carolina Rendón’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the Dominican Republic seeks to consolidate recent economic gains and address ongoing challenges related to social inclusion and environmental sustainability. By deepening dialogue with the government and key stakeholders, she aims to foster innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for all Dominicans.

Her multi-regional experience, combined with her deep understanding of governance and public sector reform, positions her well to lead the World Bank’s efforts in the Dominican Republic. The World Bank and its affiliated organizations under her leadership will continue supporting the country’s ambitious development goals through strategic investments, technical assistance, and partnership building.