Sila María Calderón, Puerto Rican-American businesswoman and politician, 12th Secretary of State of Puerto Rico

Sila María Calderón Serra is a Puerto Rican politician, businesswoman, and philanthropist who was the governor of Puerto Rico from 2001 to 2005, becoming the first female to be elected and serve as governor in Puerto Rican history. Prior to her term as governor, Calderón held various positions in the government of Puerto Rico, including the 12th Secretary of State of Puerto Rico from 1988 to 1989, and Chief of Staff to Governor Rafael Hernández Colón. She was also mayor of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, from 1997 to 2001.

The secretary of state of Puerto Rico leads all efforts promoting the cultural, political, and economical relations between Puerto Rico and jurisdictions within the United States or foreign countries. It was created by Article IV of the Constitution of Puerto Rico, establishing the secretary as acting governor when the governor is unable to perform their duties—a post equivalent to that of a lieutenant governor. As such, the secretary of state is first in line of succession to the governorship of Puerto Rico.