Meet the people behind our mission.
Emely Ruiz
Emely Ruiz is a social activist, communicator by profession, and former Dominican beauty queen. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in International Relations from Florida International University. Using her public platform and personal story, she has become a strong voice for social change, positioning herself as a leader in the Dominican Republic and beyond.
Inspired by her own life story—marked by resilience and overcoming adversity—Emely founded Proyecto Emely in 2022. The initiative works with adolescents, women, and vulnerable communities to promote menstrual health, break cultural taboos, and provide tools for empowerment. Through this platform, she partners with health professionals, community leaders, international organizations, and policymakers with the firm goal of creating real, sustainable change.
Emely was among the first to introduce the menstrual cup in the Dominican Republic, leading educational campaigns that have positively impacted thousands of women across the country. Her journey also includes being crowned Miss Supranational Dominican Republic 2022 and participating in Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2018, where she represented the province of Valverde. These experiences gave her the opportunity to amplify her voice, advocate for gender equity, and bring visibility to her cause.
Beyond her work in the Dominican Republic, Emely has expanded her influence internationally, including in Washington, D.C., where she has participated in political and diplomatic forums aligned with her mission of social empowerment.
Her work not only drives structural change but also inspires dignity, awareness, and hope in those who need it most.
Emely Ruiz
PresidentEmely Ruiz is a social activist, communicator by profession, and former Dominican beauty queen. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in International Relations from…
Daisy Báez
Daisy J. Báez is a highly respected professional with an outstanding career in healthcare, compliance management, and community service. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Central Texas.
With more than two decades of experience, Daisy has held executive positions in institutions such as Larkin Community Hospital, GEO Care Inc., and HealthSouth Houston Rehabilitation Institute, where she served as Vice President and Regional Director in key areas including compliance, clinical quality, and service management. She is currently the founder and principal consultant of Consulting Management Solutions, Inc., providing expert guidance on licensing and regulatory compliance.
A United States Army veteran, Daisy served as a Preventive Medicine Technician in the 1st Cavalry Division, where she received multiple commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal.
Deeply committed to her community, Daisy also served as a State Representative in Florida (2016–2017) and is the founder of the Dominican Health Care Association of Florida. Her contributions have earned her numerous recognitions, including the Florida Governor’s Veteran’s Service Award and the Woman of Impact Award.
Her leadership and passion for public service make her an invaluable member of the Proyecto Emely Board of Directors.
Her work not only drives structural change but also inspires awareness, dignity, and hope in those who need it most.
Daisy Báez
Vice PresidentDaisy J. Báez is a highly respected professional with an outstanding career in healthcare, compliance management, and community service. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Sam…
Maria Acosta de Ruiz
María Acosta de Ruiz is a resilient, generous woman deeply committed to her family and community. Throughout her life, she has been the pillar of her home, guiding her children with love, dedication, and wisdom, while offering unconditional support to all those around her.
Her empathy, strong sense of duty, and steadfast values make her an essential voice within Proyecto Emely. Her participation on the Board of Directors stems from a profound desire to help women and adolescents overcome barriers and reach their full potential.
María is a living testimony to the transformative power of quiet dedication. Her example inspires, uplifts, and honors the very heart of this mission.
Maria Acosta
TreasurerMaría Acosta de Ruiz is a resilient, generous woman deeply committed to her family and community…
Dr. Jaclyn Villaman
Dr. Jaclyn Villamán is a Gynecologist-Obstetrician, Colposcopist, and specialist in Aesthetic Gynecology, with a solid career in maternal health and gynecology in the Dominican Republic. She graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) in 2011, and later completed her residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics at Dr. Luis Eduardo Aybar Hospital in Santo Domingo between 2013 and 2017, earning her postgraduate degree from UASD.
She holds a University Diploma in Regenerative, Functional, and Aesthetic Gynecology from Universidad Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho in Venezuela (2021), along with diplomas in Gyneco-Obstetric Sonography (2024) and Hospital Management and Administration (2019) from the Universidad Central del Este.
Between 2019 and 2021, she served as Maternal and Child Health Coordinator for the Eastern Region under the Regional Health Service, where she was recognized for her impact in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
Since 2021, she has worked as a gynecologist at Hospital Municipal Dr. Pedro María Santana in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, while also maintaining an active private medical practice in her community.
Currently, Dr. Villamán serves as Director of Maternal Programs for the Eastern Region and as an active member of the Dominican Mothers and Children Foundation (DOFMI), where she remains committed to advancing maternal and neonatal health in the country, sharing her expertise with dedication, leadership, and compassion.
Her commitment to women’s health and well-being in vulnerable situations makes her an essential ally of Proyecto Emely. Her professional experience and human warmth profoundly enrich the mission of this organization.
Jacklyn Villaman
SecretaryDr. Jaclyn Villamán is a Gynecologist-Obstetrician, Colposcopist, and specialist in Aesthetic Gynecology, with a solid career…
Dr. Jeimy Vargas
Dr. Jeimy Vargas is a passionate Dominican dentist with a strong commitment to transforming lives through health and facial aesthetics. A graduate of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, she later pursued further specialization in Brazil, where she refined her expertise in orthodontics and orofacial harmonization, providing high-quality care to her patients.
She is currently part of the medical team at the Hospital Docente Universitario Ricardo Limardo while also maintaining her private practice. Beyond her clinical career, Jeimy is recognized for her warmth, leadership skills, and dedication to creating a positive impact within her community.
As a member of the Board of Directors of Proyecto Emely, she contributes not only her professional expertise but also her holistic vision of well-being. She actively supports initiatives that promote human development with empathy and professionalism, reinforcing the mission to empower women and adolescents.
Jeimy Vargas
VocalDr. Jeimy Vargas is a passionate Dominican dentist with a strong commitment to transforming lives through health and facial aesthetics…