She served as the governor of Isla de Pascua Province (Rapa Nui) in the government of president Sebastián Piñera, between 2010 and 2014.

[1][2] Cardinali's predecessor, former Governor Pedro Edmunds Paoa, resigned in early August 2010 following the occupation of six buildings by protesters who demanded the return of land to the descendants of the island's indigenous Polynesian inhabitants.

[3] Chilean deputy Interior Minister Rodrigo Ubilla appointed Carmen Cardinali as Governor of Easter Island in early September 2010 to replace Edmunds.

[2] Cardinali's challenges included archeological preservation of the island's heritage and revamping the tourist industry.

[1] She served as a Governor until March 2014, being replaced by Marta Raquel Hotus Tuki, appointed by president Michelle Bachelet.