Silvia Vanessa Hernández Sánchez (born November 21, 1976) is a Costa Rican economist and politician who has been President of the country's Legislative Assembly since 1 May 2021.
Silvia Hernández Sánchez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica | |
| In office 1 May 2021 – 30 April 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Eduardo Cruickshank Smith |
| Succeeded by | Rodrigo Arias Sánchez |
| 2nd Deputy of San José Province | |
| Assumed office 1 May 2018 | |
| President | Carlos Alvarado Quesada |
| Preceded by | Epsy Campbell Barr |
| Vice-minister of Planification | |
| In office 1 March 2012 – 8 May 2014 | |
| President | Laura Chinchilla Miranda |
| Preceded by | Melania Núñez Vargas |
| Succeeded by | Luis Alfredo Fallas Calderón |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Silvia Vanessa Hernández Sánchez 21 November 1976 San José, Costa Rica |
| Political party | National Liberation Party |
| Spouse | Rigoberto Zúñiga |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Universidad Regiomontana, Erasmus University Rotterdam |
Early life and education edit
Hernández was born in San José on November 21, 1976,[1] the oldest of five children and only daughter of Freddy Hernández and María de los Ángeles Sánchez.[2] Her paternal grandfather was a diplomat and deputy in the government of Daniel Oduber.[2]
Hernández attended public school in Turrialba and Siquirres,[2] before graduating from Bryant High School in Arkansas in 1996 through an exchange program.[1][2] She studied at Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, Mexico, before completing a Bachelor of Economics at the Latin University of Costa Rica.[1] While studying, she worked in a call center, and in 2002, she was hit by a car on her way home, breaking both legs and requiring spinal surgery.[2] After spending six months in rehabilitation, she received a scholarship to study in The Netherlands.[2] She has a Masters in Development Economics from Erasmus University and a Masters in International Markets from the University of Salamanca.[3]
Career edit
Hernández is an economist,[3] and has taught at Lead University in San José.[1][4] From 2006 to 2007, she was an economic advisor to Vice President Kevin Casas Zamora.[2]
Hernández was elected to the Legislative Assembly as a PLN deputy from San José.[2] She worked as Deputy Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy in the government of Laura Chinchilla from 2012 to 2014.[3][5] She has been president of the Tax Affair Commission, as well as a member of the Science, Technology and Education and OECD Special Commissions.[3] In April 2019, she was elected chair of the National Liberation Party.[3]
Hernández has published opinion pieces and analysis in La Republica, El Financiero and Dos Magazine.[1]
Hernández was elected President of the Legislative Assembly on May 1, 2021 with 42 votes, and is the fourth woman to hold the position.[6][7][8]
Personal life edit
Hernández married Rigoberto Zúñiga, a real estate developer, in 2009 and lives in Cartago. They have one daughter.[2] She is Catholic.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Silvia Vanessa Hernández Sánchez". Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Costa Rica.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bravo, Josué (May 1, 2021). "Silvia Hernandez La Alumna Luchadora en Siquirres". La Nacion (in Spanish). Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Martinez Roque, Valeria (April 2, 2019). "Silvia Hernández will be the new head of the PLN faction". Elmundo. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Silvia Hernández". Lead University.
- ^ Arrieta, Esteban (May 1, 2021). "Silvia Hernández es electa como nueva presidenta del Congreso". La Republica (in Spanish). Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Perez, Wendy (May 1, 2021). "Silvia Hernández es electa presidenta de la Asamblea Legislativa". Elmundo (in Spanish). Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Herrera, Juan José (May 1, 2021). "Silvia Hernández es la nueva presidenta de la Asamblea Legislativa". Teletica (in Spanish). Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Diputada PLN Silvia Hernández alcanza la presidencia de la Asamblea Legislativa" (in Spanish). Elpais. May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.