Our Founders

richard@doradocares.org

Richard A. Higgs has woven a diverse tapestry of professional success and philanthropic endeavors throughout his life. Richard's journey began in the financial markets, where he held senior executive positions, in Sydney, London, New York, and Sao Paulo, showcasing expertise in Foreign Exchange, Money Markets, Energy & Commodities. In 2011 Richard purchased an innovative and yet unknown patent that would later become the underlying technology for water-soluble PVA film pods. This patented technology is the basis for such large household brands as Proctor & Gamble’s Tide Pods for Laundry and Cascade for Dishwashing.  Richard licensed this technology to other Consumer Product Groups to help pioneer and create an entirely new market segment in the cleaning industry. Richard concurrently built a US manufacturing facility to launch his own consumer and commercial brands as well as offer private label contract manufacturing of cleaning pods for other well known brands. This journey ultimately led him to Puerto Rico, where he helped established Great Bay Global Fund in 2016.

In 2020, Richard expanded his footprint in Puerto Rico by founding HAS Global Ventures LLC, a company exporting managerial services to the USA, further deepening his commitment to the region. His dedication to fostering economic growth in Puerto Rico is exemplified through various real estate ventures.

Richard's impact extends beyond the corporate realm into the heart of the Puerto Rican community. As the Founder and Chairman of Dorado Cares Inc., a registered 501c3 and 1101.01 foundation fully certified for child welfare under CECFL., he has been instrumental in addressing critical needs of the community, from emergency resources and ongoing community relief, to supporting municipal infrastructure projects. His commitment to child welfare and social integration reflects in the foundation's multifaceted approach to improving lives.

Richard and his wife Josie Yousef are actively integrated into the community. Enrolling their three children, Hunter, Sebastian, and Amaya, in local schools and engaging them in various sporting and community activities, the couple emphasized the importance of contributing positively to Puerto Rico and to the Dorado township. Their dedication to community involvement reflects a desire to not only live in Puerto Rico but to become an integral part of its vibrant culture, and to contribute to the future of the island.

Dorado Cares was founded in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. Motivated by a deep sense of responsibility and compassion, this charitable organization was created to address urgent disaster relief needs and extend support to the children of Puerto Rico. Looking toward the future, Richard has set ambitious goals for Dorado Cares, aiming to establish a K-12 scholarship fund. This initiative reflects their commitment to providing impoverished children in Puerto Rico with access to quality education, empowering them to overcome challenges and pursue brighter futures. Richard Higgs, serving as the Board Chair, showcases the Boards hands-on approach and unwavering dedication to making a lasting impact in the lives of Puerto Rican children through education and community support.

josellyn@doradocares.org

Josellyn “Josie” Gonzalez Yousef is an accomplished public finance analyst with a wealth of experience most recently serving as Senior Vice President – Municipal Credit Analyst at Lazard Asset Management in New York City. Josie advised on tax-exempt purchases across various municipal sectors including local school districts, utility services, transportation systems, healthcare, and P3 projects. Josie's experience includes a significant tenure at Moody’s Investors Service, where she held the position of Vice President - Senior Analyst in the Public Finance Group. There, she played a pivotal role in analyzing and rating speculative grade US government issuers and authoring thought-leading research for investors. 

Josie holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Finance from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, and a Bachelor of Administration in Political Science and International Studies (Magna Cum Laude) from Loyola University Chicago. She is fluent in Spanish and possesses a basic knowledge of Arabic. Josie was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. As a child, she spent summers in Corozal with her grandparents and extended family. 

Josie and her husband founded Dorado Cares in the wake of Hurricane Fiona in 2022. Motivated by a deep sense of responsibility, this charitable organization was created to address urgent disaster relief needs and extend support to underage children on the island. Looking toward the future, Dorado Cares has set ambitious goals aiming to structurally improve equitable access to quality K-12 education.