As President of the Partnership for Miami, Raul leads a dynamic group of business leaders acting in the civic interest to build a world-class Miami that works for all its residents. Through the Partnership, Raul collaborates with grassroots organizations, researchers, policymakers and philanthropists to develop and implement solutions that improve Miami’s affordability, livability, educational systems and resilience.

Prior to joining the Partnership, Raul served as senior director of Knight Foundation. In response to a growing number of Miamians seeking to participate in the city’s burgeoning tech economy, Raul directed over $60 million in grantmaking to accelerate Miami’s development as a tech hub. Under Raul’s leadership, Knight’s investments unlocked and leveraged more than $135 million in new public and private capital to expand pathways to careers in tech, which, in part, will double the number of undergraduate STEM degrees conferred in Miami by 2028.

Raul brings a wealth of experience in business and early-stage venture capital. He previously served as a scout for Lightspeed Venture Partners, a global venture capital firm, and managing director of Miami Angels, Florida’s largest angel investor collective.

He served as the executive director of Roots of Hope, an international non-governmental organization focused on youth empowerment in Cuba. At Roots of Hope, Raul led the creation of programs like StartUp Cuba, which supports emerging entrepreneurs on the island, and social ventures like Discover Cuba, which facilitates socially conscious trips and family reunifications.

Raul serves on the boards of The Miami Foundation, Beacon Council, and Hispanics in Philanthropy and is a CPA.