SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced that Richard Henriques has been appointed chief financial officer, effective April 19, 2010. He will be based in Seattle, Washington at the foundation’s headquarters.
As CFO, Henriques will oversee the foundation’s financial functions, including accounting, financial planning and analysis, and impact planning and improvement. In addition to serving as a strategic partner to the CEO and working with the presidents of the Global Health, Global Development, and United States programs, he will also oversee the foundation’s program-related investments.
“Richard brings great depth and experience to the foundation, which will be integral as we continue to manage our growth and assess our progress,” said Jeff Raikes, CEO of the foundation. “His leadership will be critical as we look for new opportunities to maximize the impact of our work around the world.”
Henriques will join the foundation from Merck, where he has served as senior vice president of finance and corporate controller since 2006. In this position, he focused on operations, governance, strategic planning, performance measurement, and cost management within the pharmaceutical and pharmacy benefit management industries.
Henriques is an active member on several non-profits boards in the Philadelphia area. He earned a bachelor’s degree in oriental studies from the University of Pennsylvania and his master’s in business administration from the Wharton School.
“The Gates Foundation is working to tackle some of the world’s most complex and urgent issues—as the global financial crisis continues to adversely affect those most in need,” Henriques said. “I am looking forward to helping the executives and the staff continue to advance their work and ambitious mission.”