PRMA, Citi, MAPR, hospitality sector announce new leadership
A wave of executive appointments across Puerto Rico’s corporate, cultural and hospitality sectors is reshaping leadership teams as organizations prepare for growth in 2026.
From the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association and Citi to the Puerto Rico Museum of Art and Empresas Santana hotels, new leaders are stepping into roles focused on strategy, creative development and service.
MAPR names Viso-Lizardi as board of trustees chair
The Puerto Rico Museum of Art has announced the election of Verónica Viso-Lizardi as chair of its board of trustees. Viso, who had served as vice chair since 2021, has also led the museum’s Gala Committee for several years.
In her new role, Viso said she plans to strengthen the museum’s position as a gathering space for the community.
“The Puerto Rico Museum of Art is called to be much more than a space for contemplating art. We want it to be a place of true cultural exchange where we foster innovation, dialogue and collaboration,” she said.
Viso holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Tufts University in Boston and a master’s degree in international management and economics from Bocconi University in Milan.
Her professional background includes work in the pharmaceutical industry, first in international business development and later as general manager of a manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico. She currently serves on the boards of the VL Group and the MMM Foundation.
Other members of the MAPR board include Gloria Benítez as vice chair, Melba Acosta as treasurer and Jan Maduro as secretary.
SER of Puerto Rico names new director of rehabilitation
SER of Puerto Rico President Nilda Morales has announced the appointment of Brenda I. Matos-Cotto as the organization’s new director of rehabilitation, citing her “outstanding career, commitment and leadership during more than 27 years of continuous service at the institution.”
Matos-Cotto began her career at SER in 1997, completing her pre-internship and clinical practice in pediatrics. In 1998, she earned a degree in occupational therapy from the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico and joined the SER Center in San Juan, the first facility in Puerto Rico to offer comprehensive rehabilitation services.
Her career has included roles at SER centers in San Juan, Aibonito and Ponce, giving her firsthand experience with the organization’s operations and the needs of the families it serves. In 2000, she earned a certification in assistive technology application from California State University, Northridge, expanding her expertise in innovative rehabilitation strategies.
Matos-Cotto is a licensed occupational therapist in Puerto Rico and holds national certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She has also served in leadership roles at the Puerto Rico College of Occupational Therapists, including Central Area representative and member of the Continuing Education and Finance committees.
Coro de Ninos de San Juan introduces new board
The Coro de Niños de San Juan will celebrate its 60th anniversary in November 2026. To mark the milestone, the choir has launched a yearlong countdown highlighting six decades of musical training and cultural contribution in Puerto Rico and abroad.
As part of the commemoration, the organization introduced a new board of directors and announced plans to modernize its facilities and strengthen its educational mission.
The new board includes Naji Khoury as chair, Manuel Calderón as vice chair, Nelson Colón as treasurer, Juliana Pagán as secretary, and members Robyn Weber, Luis Álvarez, Camelia Garrido, Griselle Bou, Vangie Bogaty and Tomás Dardet.
“Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Coro de Niños de San Juan is an immense and deeply emotional honor. For the past two decades, I have had the privilege of leading an institution that has shaped generations of Puerto Rican youth through music, discipline and love for our country,” Khoury said. “This anniversary not only celebrates our history, but also the vibrant future we continue to build together.”
A key initiative for the anniversary is the renovation of the choir’s headquarters, located in the historic Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón School in Santurce. The project aims to transform the space into a modern educational and artistic center designed to serve the needs of students and teachers alike.
In the photo: Front row: Vangie Bogaty, Juliana Pagán, Zilma Cerra and Camelia Garrido. Back row: Manuel Calderón, Tomás Dardet, Luis Álvarez, Griselle Bou, Naji Khoury and Nelson Colón. Not pictured: Robyn Weber.
Four Seasons names new GM
Four Seasons has appointed Pablo Molinari as general manager of the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico, which is scheduled to open Nov. 20.
Molinari brings nearly 30 years of international hospitality experience in operations and leadership, with a career focused on creating personalized and culturally informed guest experiences.
A native of Argentina, Molinari began his career in the front office of the Park Hyatt in Buenos Aires, which became the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires in 2001. Over the years, he has held several leadership positions in the hospitality industry across the United States and Canada.
After 14 years outside the brand, Molinari rejoined Four Seasons in 2021 as hotel manager of the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown.
Citi appoints new GM for Puerto Rico
Citi has appointed Antonieta C. Pérez as its new general manager for Puerto Rico. She will be responsible for executing the bank’s strategy to strengthen its position as a leading banking partner for institutions with cross-border operations.
Pérez will also head the banking division, oversee client relationships and serve as Citi’s primary regulatory representative in Puerto Rico.
“It’s a great honor for me to assume this position, and I’m committed to further strengthening our role as a trusted partner for our clients, supporting them in the challenges and opportunities of the global market,” Pérez said.
Pérez has more than 24 years of experience in the banking sector. Most recently, she served as general manager and banking head of Citi Paraguay. During her career at the bank, she held senior leadership roles in different regions, in areas such as public sector, treasury and trade solutions, custody, agency and trust, and served as the client delivery head for Citi Venezuela.
Empresas Santana appoints new GMs for Caguas, Isla Verde hotels
Empresas Santana has appointed two new general managers for its properties, Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real and TRYP by Wyndham Isla Verde. Miguel Ángel Benítez will lead the Caguas property, while Erick Jiménez will oversee operations in Isla Verde.
Both executives began their careers at Empresas Santana and advanced through various positions within the organization.
Benítez, a recent accounting graduate from the University of Puerto Rico, started his professional career in 2008 as a cost and revenue analyst for the company. In 2014, he was promoted to director of housekeeping at the Wyndham Garden in Palmas del Mar, a role he held until the hotel’s closure in 2017 following Hurricane María.
He later served in management roles at the AC Hotel by Marriott and the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino and, from 2021 until August 2025, worked as director of operations at OLV: Fifty Five Hotel and Olive Boutique Hotel.
Jiménez joined Empresas Santana in 2012 as food and beverage manager at the Four Points Caguas Real and later at the Wyndham Garden in Palmas del Mar. He subsequently held a similar position at the Palmas Athletic Club until 2015.
In 2018, he became hotel manager at the Wyndham Candelero Beach Resort. He rejoined Empresas Santana in 2021 as corporate director of food and beverage, where he was recognized for his focus on service quality and event coordination.
Jiménez holds degrees from Purdue University and the University of Miami.
PRMA appoints Mojica-Franceschi as executive VP
Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association President Rafael Vélez-Domínguez has announced the appointment of Karen Mojica-Franceschi as the organization’s new executive vice president.
The association said the appointment strengthens its leadership team with a professional whose multidisciplinary background will be key to advancing strategic initiatives within Puerto Rico’s manufacturing sector.
Mojica-Franceschi’s career spans more than 25 years, combining experience in communications, law and economic development.
She has held leadership positions at the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, the Office of Tax Incentives and Discover Puerto Rico. Most recently, she served as director of business development and stakeholder affairs at Invest Puerto Rico, where she focused on attracting new businesses and investment and building strategic alliances.
A licensed attorney and notary, Mojica-Franceschi brings legal and public affairs expertise to her new role at PRMA.
