BARNA presents case study on "I am a girl, I matter" and opens dialogue on sustainability and corporate strategy

• The study documents more than fifteen years of work by Fundación Tropicalia in education, gender equity, and community development in Miches, and joins BARNA's academic portfolio for leadership and corporate sustainability programs.
• The document offers a rigorous look at decision-making in real-world contexts, addressing challenges tied to social impact, long-term vision, and the building of legitimacy in territories with structural gaps.

Santo Domingo, January 19, 2026. — BARNA Management School presented the case study "I am a girl, I matter," an academic analysis documenting more than fifteen years of work in education, gender equity, and sustainability, drawn from the experience of Fundación Tropicalia in the municipality of Miches, El Seibo province.

The case study analyzes the model developed by the "I am a girl, I matter" (SNSI) initiative in Miches, examining how a long-term vision grounded in community listening, gender equity, and purpose-driven investment has helped generate transformation in education, youth leadership, and the strengthening of the social fabric. Through this initiative, more than 1,500 girls and adolescents have benefited directly, accumulating more than 3,000 instances of participation across the various programs that make up SNSI, with an impact extending to their families and communities. The study addresses, from an academic and multisectoral perspective, the main strategic dilemmas faced by development projects operating in territories with structural and social gaps, as well as the decisions required to balance economic growth, social legitimacy, and cultural sustainability.

The event included the participation of Adriana Cisneros, CEO of Cisneros, who underscored the value of opening projects to outside academic scrutiny: "Allowing a project to be analyzed with academic rigor is an exercise in transparency and learning. Sharing both successes and challenges is part of our responsibility if we aspire to build sustainable models that generate real impact in communities."

A panel discussion titled "From Social Intervention to Corporate Strategy: Lessons from I am a girl, I matter" followed, delving into the lessons drawn from the process and their relevance to business decision-making, based on the experience of Fundación Tropicalia.

The panel featured Katherine Durán, Executive Director of Fundación Tropicalia, and Sofía Perazzo, Vice President of Sustainability at Tropicalia and President of Fundación Tropicalia, who shared reflections on the importance of coherence, continuity, and community integration in development projects.

To which Durán stated: "This study reminds us that development is not just numbers—it is the story of every girl who deserves a different future. We are not looking for quick fixes, but to build a path with vision, respect, and support, where growth is only real if it manages to transform lives and open doors where none existed before."

In the same vein, Perazzo noted: "This case allows students and executives to analyze how strategic decisions are made in real and complex contexts, where responsible leadership means thoroughly understanding the challenge, being creative in seeking solutions, and acting with coherence between purpose and business. In Tropicalia's case, it shows how a clear vision and well-informed decisions can generate value for the company while also strengthening its relationship with the community and the environment in which it operates."

On his part, Paulo Alves, Rector of BARNA, remarked that this case reflects the type of learning BARNA promotes: learning connected to reality, one that challenges leaders to make complex decisions where strategy, purpose, and social context converge. "Soy niña, soy importante" is not only an academic exercise, it is a way of putting knowledge at the service of transformation. This project has deeply moved me, and I hope it serves as an example and an inspiration for companies investing in the Dominican Republic, and also for Dominican women who dream of building sustainable businesses. To achieve that, we need a solid social environment, environmental stewardship, and good governance. Only then can we form leaders capable of thinking long-term and acting responsibly in the face of sustainable development challenges.

The presentation was attended by members of BARNA's Board of Directors, faculty, and alumni, as well as representatives from the academic and social sectors and strategic allies of the foundation, who underscored the case's relevance to the current debate on purpose-driven business, regenerative investment, and the private sector's role in social development.

This milestone reaffirms both institutions' commitment to generating applied knowledge and forming leaders capable of designing and executing sustainable models. By sharing real lessons and decisions made in complex contexts, the case contributes to the national debate on the private sector's role in building long-term solutions that integrate social impact, sustainability, and community development.

About BARNA

Founded in 1999, BARNA Management School is the first institute of higher education in the Dominican Republic specializing in management studies. With more than 25 years of experience, it combines academic excellence, an international faculty, and a focus on developing managerial skills.

Its educational model promotes a holistic view of leadership, one that strengthens not only technical and strategic capabilities but also ethical thinking, social commitment, and positive impact on people and communities.

The institution offers executive education, master's, and bachelor's programs, contributing to business strengthening and sustainable development in the region.

About Fundación Tropicalia

Fundación Tropicalia is a nonprofit organization that manages initiatives and strategic partnerships supporting the community of Miches in its development process to strengthen its socioeconomic inclusion in this tourist destination. Established by Tropicalia in the Dominican Republic in 2008, Fundación Tropicalia carries out work in education, gender equity, economic participation, cultural identity, and environmental awareness.