Event Recap: Dominican Republic Diplomat Eyes Trade Beyond Tourism

Consular Conversations OTP: Dominican Republic

July 30, 2025
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

The Dominican Republic’s consulate general for the Southeast U.S. is based in New Orleans, a vestige of the days when the Louisiana city’s seaport made it the preferred place for diplomatic outposts.

Its state-owned bank, Banreservas, has a U.S. office in Miami focused on growing trade with the U.S.

So why is the country increasingly finding itself focused on Atlanta?

The key lies in a community that is more than 10,000 strong, some of them local entrepreneurs and others involved in establishing trade links with their native country — the largest economy in the Caribbean with a population of 11 million.

The consulate is in the process of collating all this activity into a new directory of Dominican business owners in Georgia, an initiative launched under the leadership of Yanina Torres, the consul general, who took up her post last September.

To shine light on this effort, Global Atlanta welcomed Ms. Torres during a visit to Atlanta for a luncheon as part of our Consular Conversations series, a special “outside the Perimeter” edition that served as a gathering point for the Dominican diaspora, which in metro Atlanta is centered in Gwinnett County.

That concentration led the consulate to establish an Atlanta outpost on Pleasant Hill Road, which through Vice Consul Miguel Santos has been courting Atlanta companies for trade missions like Agroalimentaria, a food show held in the DR in May.

The event featured a keynote speech by the consul general and a panel of business leaders outlining how they are finding opportunities in the Dominican Republic, both for sourcing and selling, followed by speeches from Dominican entrepreneurs who outlined how they’ve made their way in the metro. Mr. Santana described how the DR is highlighting its investment bona fides, building on its tourism reputation, logistical infrastructure, its wealth of free trade zones and manufacturing workforce.

With more than 100 guests present, the event set an attendance record for Consular Conversations, presented by Miller & Martin PLLC, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations.

For a full news story on how the trade winds are blowing in favor of the country, read more here: Focusing on Georgia, Dominican Republic Aims to Seize Key Moment in Trade With U.S.

See the Gwinnett Chamber’s recap (and additional photos) here.

Organized By:

Presented by:

Speakers

MODERATOR:

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

PANELISTS:

Trevor Williams,
Managing Editor, Global Atlanta

Add the panelist bio

Rosa Yanina Torres Tamares, Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New Orleans

Rosa Yanina Torres Tamares is a distinguished Dominican public servant, educator, and political activist, born on August 24, 1981, in San Felipe de Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. She currently serves as the Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, a position she assumed in September 2024 through Presidential Decree 554-24.

Academic Background
Torres Tamares completed her primary education in the community of Maimón and graduated from the Gregorio Urbano Gilbert Polytechnic High School. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, with a concentration in Modern Languages, from the Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA). In addition, she has completed six specialized diplomas in areas such as
political leadership, educational management, and comprehensive early childhood care. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Executive Human Resources Management at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM).

Political and Professional Career
From an early age, Torres Tamares has been actively involved in politics. At 19, she was elected Deputy Director of the municipal district of Maimón. She has held various leadership positions within the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), including District Secretary General, Executive Vice President of Puerto Plata Province, and National Vice President of the PRM Women’s Front. In October 2020, she was appointed Deputy Director of Operational and Territorial Management at the National Institute for Comprehensive Early Childhood Care (INAIPI) through Decree 579-20. In this role, she was recognized for her commitment to the development of programs focused on comprehensive early childhood care.

Consular Work
As Consul General in New Orleans, Torres Tamares has worked to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s diplomatic presence and to serve the Dominican diaspora with dedication and efficiency. Her vision includes consolidating an accessible and innovative consulate that acts as a bridge of opportunities between Dominicans abroad and their homeland.

The Dominican Republic is not only a country of great beauty, yes, but also of economic strength, entrepreneurial drive and global vision. We are proud to be the largest economy in the Caribbean and the seventh largest in Latin America, with a diversified productive base that includes tourism, free zones, agribusiness, energy, manufacturing and services.“

Miguel Angel Santana Galva, Vice Consul, Head of Trade & Investment Affairs,
Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in New Orleans

Miguel Angel Santana Galva is an economist with a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from CESTE, International Business School in Spain, in collaboration with the University of
Wales in the United Kingdom, and an Executive MBA. He currently serves as Vice Consul, Head of Trade and Investment Affairs at the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in New
Orleans, where he leads key initiatives to promote trade, investment, and international cooperation between the Dominican Republic and the United States. With over seven years of experience in export promotion, investment attraction, and economic data analysis, Miguel has been actively involved in the planning and execution of major national
and international events such as SIAL Paris, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Gulfood. His expertise spans from designing commercial strategies and public policies to facilitating business connections between international importers and Dominican exporters.

Key Achievements:

Development and oversight of strategic plans to diversify Dominican exports.
Coordination of international events to promote Dominican products and services in key
markets.
Promotion of the Dominican Republic as an investment and tourism destination at global
forums.

Education:

Master’s Degree in Financial Management, CESTE, International Business School in Spain in collaboration with the University of Wales, United Kingdom.
Executive MBA, Formato Educativo Business School.
Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.
Diploma in Trade Policy and Business Promotion, INESDYC.

“(The DR) is the country in the Caribbean that has the most modern infrastructure. We have eight international airports, 17 maritime ports, which serves as a great help if you want to do business in the whole Caribbean. We have trade agreements with the U.S. and Central America, which is the DR-CAFTA, where 99% of the products come duty free … The DR gives you access to 1.2 billion consumers around the world, because we have trade agreements also with the Caribbean islands, the whole European Union, and also some countries for preference in terms of free trade zones.”

Chuck Campbell, President and Co-founder, At Work Sales Corporation

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and currently residing in Pell City, Alabama, Chuck Campbell holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Georgia and completed international business studies at Stichting Nijenrode in the Breukelen, Netherlands. Chuck has been the President and Co-founder of At Work Sales Corporation in Orange Beach, Alabama, since 1991. Prior to that, Chuck worked with Uniform Rental Service, Inc. in Atlanta from 1974 to 1991. He is also fluent in Dutch.

“I really like doing business closer to home. It’s just quicker. And relatively speaking, on a work garment, if you pay $1 more and the shirt lasts two years, it’s not price sensitive.”

-On the DR versus Asia in garment manufacturing

Brian Lee, Founder, Scratch Food Group

Brian’s career is a blend of marketing leadership and entrepreneurship spanning diverse verticals, including CPG, Tech/Telecom, Finance, Pharma, Retail, and more.

At Scratch Food Group, Brian is committed creating culturally authentic, sustainable, and delectable plant-based food options. The vision is to celebrate the rich tapestry of global cuisines while promoting health, sustainability, and community through its products. Scratch believes that every meal can be an experience, a connection, and a force for positive change.

“Just walking through Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo among the different bars, seeing the people, the merengue and salsa and bachata, you just love it.”

-On the cultural magnetism of the DR

Closing Remarks from Dominican Business Community

Hilda Abbott, Founder and CEO, RudHil Companies

Hilda Abbott is the Founder and CEO of RudHil Companies and RudHil Commercial, the first Hispanic female-owned, minority-certified commercial real estate brokerage in Georgia. With more than 24 years of experience, she has brokered, led, and managed over $800 million in commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate transactions.

In addition to her brokerage and consulting expertise, Hilda is an active real estate investor with direct involvement in multiple commercial and residential developments, including new construction, mixed-use projects, and affordable housing initiatives. Her investment experience gives her clients a strategic edge when navigating today’s complex real estate market.

“Dominicans have something in common: Even though we look very different, we come from all different type of color schemes, we speak multiple languages, we’re interracial — but Dominicans are serial entrepreneurs.“

Juliana Melo, Owner and CEO, The Cotto Law Group and VIP Office Suites

Juliana Melo is a dynamic entrepreneur and community leader with over 26 years of dedicated service to the Hispanic community. Born in the Dominican Republic, she immigrated to the United States in November 1989, bringing with her a vision for opportunity, growth, and empowerment. Since 1999, she has proudly called Duluth, Georgia home, where she continues to make a lasting impact through both her professional and civic contributions.

Juliana earned her Associate Degree in Business Science from Hostos Community College in June 1999, an educational foundation that would serve as the catalyst for her future success in business ownership and community leadership.

As the Owner and CEO of The Cotto Law Group and VIP Office Suites, Juliana has built and led organizations that reflect her core values: integrity, advocacy, and service. Under her leadership, The Cotto Law Group has grown into a trusted legal partner for countless families and individuals navigating complex legal matters in immigration and personal injury, while VIP Office Suites provides flexible, professional workspaces that foster innovation and entrepreneurial growth.

Driven by passion and purpose, Juliana is a respected figure in Georgia’s Hispanic business community. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, combined with her deep understanding of the needs of those she serves, has positioned her as both a role model and a force for positive change.

“One of the things that I could see that we need when you when you come to United States ia education about many different things. So my dream was to have an office to help immigrants … I’m so proud to say that we have about 8,000 happy clients.”