Mercedes Ramírez studied at the School of Dramatic Arts at the University of Costa Rica in 1974, and later graduated with a degree in Director and Screenwriter from the Film and Television Academy in West Berlin, West Germany, in 1984. She is a co-founder of the Costa Rican Documentary Filmmakers Association (Dokus), where she served as President. She was also President of the Costa Rican Association of Filmmakers and Audiovisual Producers (CINEALIANZA). She was General Director of the Costa Rican Center for Film Production (2006-2008), and since 2009, she has worked at the state-owned channel Trece Costa Rica Televisión, Sinart Costa Rica Medios.