Karina Chez Cramer

Investor and Serial Entrepreneur

Karina Chez is a prominent entrepreneur and leader in the renewable energy sector in the Dominican Republic. She is currently the Chairwoman and Managing Partner at KAYA Energy Group, a company that specializes in providing comprehensive clean energy solutions, including project financing and engineering services for solar power installations.1 2

She served as the Past President and Founding Board Member of the Asociación para el Fomento de Energías Renovables (ASOFER), where she played a crucial role in promoting renewable energy initiatives in the region from its inception in August 2015 until December 2019.1 2

Karina holds an MBA from Pace University and a Master's degree in International Relations from Columbia University. She is also pursuing a Master's in the Entrepreneurial Masters Program at MIT Sloan School of Management.1 Her extensive experience includes roles in marketing and project management with organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme and various startups across multiple countries.2

In addition to her professional endeavors, she has been recognized with several awards for her contributions to business and social development, including being named one of the "40 Under 40" by Mercado Networks in 2016 and "Mujeres Maravilla" by El Dinero in 2021.1

Experience

Chairwoman at The Chez Group & Managing Partner at KAYA Energy

CEO at KAYA Energy Group, Chairwoman & Co-Founder at Chez Space, Board of Directors Member at Motor Crédito, Chapter Director at Startup Grind, Past President & Founding Board Member at Asociación para el Fomento de Energías Renovables, Founding Partner at The Chess Group, Consultant at Jitegemee School Building Project, Director of Marketing at Jump TV, Inc., Business Consultant at New York State Small Business Development Center, Owner/General Manager at Chez Asian Bistro/Restaurante Mario's, Assistant to the Country Representative at United Nations, WFP.

Education

MBA in International Business/Trade/Commerce from Pace University, Master’s Degree in International Relations and Affairs from Columbia University, EO Entrepreneurial Masters Program from MIT Sloan School of Management (2023-2025), BS in Business & Marketing Management from Universidad Iberomericana