Maricha
Martinez Sosa, PhD

Maricha Martinez Sosa is a researcher, educator, and entrepreneur from the Dominican Republic. With more than 15 years of experience in visual and written communication, she focuses on digital communication, culture, education, sustainable development, and innovation. Founder of Umami Creadores, Quemashago.com, and Cultoural.com. Bachelor in Graphic Design with a Master's Degree in Advertising, she has postgraduate studies in Higher Education and a Ph.D. in Communication and Cultural Industries from the Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain).

During her academic and professional career, she has received several awards and recognitions such as the Epifanio Lantigua National Touristic Journalism Award of the Dominican Republic (2021 / 2019) and the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative - YLAI Professional Fellowship from the Department of State of the United States of America (2016).

What I Do

Research

Coordination and development of research for organizations, institutions, brands and initiatives, with special focus on digital communication, culture, education, development and innovation.

Content Creation

Creation and production of visual and written content, tailored to each communication needs. Including: graphic design, photography, videos and copywriting.

Education

Design and execution of educational modules, courses, training sessions and workshops in areas such as: digital communication, creativity, graphic design and photography, among others.

Consulting

Ad hoc consulting for brands and initiatives in areas such as digital communication, branding, creativity, aesthetics, and interaction with customers.

Testimonials

Resume

+15 Years of Experience

Education

2014 – 2020
Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, Spain

PhD in Communication and Cultural Industries

Doctoral research: Cultural Communication in the Dominican Republic, impediments for the dissemination and its relation to poverty. Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10251/156036

2012 - 2014
Universidad Católica Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Higher Education Specialist

Post Graduate Studies certified by the Ministry of Education of the Dominican Republic that habilitates professionals from several fields to serve as university professors. 

2008 - 2009
Universidad Antonio de Nebrija. Madrid, Spain

Master Degree in Advertising

2003 - 2007
Universidad APEC. Dominican Republic.

Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design

2003
Colegio Dominicano De La Salle. Dominican Republic

High School Diploma

Awards, Merits & Recognitions

2021
National Tourism Journalism Award Epifanio Lantigua

Winner: Dominican Republic's National Tourism Journalism Award Epifanio Lantigua· 2021. Category: Arts & Culture.

2021
Google’s Local Guides

Winner: Guiding Stars 2021. Category: Community Builder.

2021
Organization of American States (OAS) and Young Americas Business Trust (YABT).

Jury of the Entrepreneurship Competition TIC Americas

2021
Pasaporte Abierto International Award

Winner: Pasaporte Abierto International Award. Category: Originality

2020
#LatamDigital Awards

Winner: Best Digital Start Up (Umami.do / 2nd place) #LatamDigital Awards, Colombia

2020
Organization of American States (OAS) and Young Americas Business Trust (YABT).

Jury of the Entrepreneurship Competition TIC Americas

2019
National Tourism Journalism Award Epifanio Lantigua

Winner: Dominican Republic's National Tourism Journalism Award Epifanio Lantigua· 2019. Category: Best TV / Youtube report

2019
Google

Google’s Local Guides Connect Live 2019 Convention Attendee, California, USA

2019
Organization of American States (OAS) and Young Americas Business Trust (YABT).

Jury of the Entrepreneurship Competition TIC Americas

2016
United States of America Department of State

Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellowship

2005 - 2006
Universidad APEC / Dominican Republic

4 times Winer of the “Best Graphic Design Student” Award

2003
Colegio Dominicano De La Salle

Winner of the Lasallista Merit Student Award

Publications & Exhibits

2020
Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) / Spain

Food Heritage as a Tool for Women's Empowerment. Memories of the "II International Congress on Food Heritage and Museums".

2019
European Union & Ministry of Women of the Dominican Republic

Exhibited and chosen as the 2020 Calendar cover pic. Mama Tingó Photography Contest

2019
Centro de la Imagen de la República Dominicana

Collective Exhibition & Shortlisted for the Youth Image Award of the Dominican Republic

2018
U.N. Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Conferences (G-STIC) Brussels, Belgium

Panelist and Presenter of Preliminary Doctoral Research Results

2013
Film Commission of the Dominican Republic

Collective Exhibition & Shortlisted for the 1st Digital Contest "Descubre una Locación para Cine”.

2006
Universidad APEC / Dominican Republic

Photo Expositor in “Grafía de Luz” 4rd. Photography Collective Exhibit from UNAPEC Students

2004
Universidad APEC / Dominican Republic

Photo Expositor in “Grafía de Luz” 3rd. Photography Collective Exhibit from UNAPEC Students

Professional Experience

2020- Current
Barna Management School / Dominican Republic

University Professor

Professor of the courses: "Creativity and Critical Thinking" · "Innovative Mindset" and "Unlocking the Thought Process".
Involved in the whole educational process, from the development of the syllabus to the teaching of classes, the creation and correction of practices/exams and the publication of grades.

2019 - Current
Culturamia & Umami Creadores / Dominican Republic

Founder & Manager

Founder and manager of Umami & Culturamia. 

Umami Creadores, an Award Winning Creative Agency & Communications Consultancy Firm based in the Dominican Republic.

Culturamia, a company that designs and executes educational activities and serves the community as a youth talent accelerator. 

2014 - 2016
Esencia Films & Celines Toribio Enterprises / Dominican Republic

General & Communication Coordinator

I went from Graphic Designer to General Coordinator, being my bosses 'right hand' and intermediating between her, the accounting and legal team in some matters. While she was not in the country I represented her and managed the companies.

2013 - 2017
Comunidad Educativa Lux Mundi / Dominican Republic

Highschool Teacher

Photography, Graphic Design and Digital Communication teacher for stude several grades. I was involved in the whole process from making the syllabus, teaching the classes, creating and correcting the assignments and exams, and publishing the grades. 

2012 - 2013
District & Co. / Dominican Republic

Creative, Graphic & Editorial Designer

Magazine design, product presentations and creativity for the promotion of events and activities.

2011
CICE: Escuela de Nuevas Tecnologías / Spain

Enterprise Courses Teacher

Photoshop and Internet tools teacher for private companies.

2009 - 2010
Piamonte Group TV / Spain

Account Executive & Web Development Coordinator

My first customer-facing and team coordination experience! Among my responsibilities were: scheduling meetings with clients and determining their needs. Defining the structure and contents of the webs (or services required). To coordinate with the programming, design, community management, and development teams. As well as the follow-up with our clients to ensure their satisfaction.

2007 - 2008
Esquadra Publicitaria / Dominican Republic

Creative Graphic Designer

My first job in advertising design and creativity! Among my duties was the design and creation of advertising pieces and concepts for different media/media/ and different brands/sectors, among them:  Yellow Pages Dominican Republic, PalaPizza (local pizza chain), Prin (children's clothing store), Halka Industrial (beauty products) and SkyPro (event producers).

2006 - 2008
Comunidad Educativa Lux Mundi / Dominican Republic

Highschool Teacher

Photography teacher for 9th and 10th-grade students. I was involved in the whole process from making the syllabus, teaching the classes, creating and correcting the assignments and exams, and publishing the grades. There I confirmed that I do love teaching and sharing knowledge!

2006 - 2007
Grupo de Comunicaciones Listin / Dominican Republic

Editorial Graphic Designer

It was my first full-time job! I was given the articles and photos so that I could proceed with the design of the pages or magazines its preparation as final art, the sending to the print house, and supervision of the result.

2005 - 2006
Universidad APEC / Dominican Republic

English Teacher

English Teacher at different levels with ages ranging from young children to adults.

Memberships

2018
https://sodomedi.com/

Founding member of the Dominican Society of Digital Media (SODOMEDI)

2016
http://adompretur.com/

Member of the Dominican Society of Tourist Press

News & Highlights

News, collaborations, appearances and ideas

Contact

Get in Touch

+1 (809) 931-2985

Santo Domingo

info@marichams.com

Freelance & Travel Availability

How Can I Help You?