Thomas Michael Higgins
Tom Higgins | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 16, 1966 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Social entrepreneur, professional investor, banker, economic development expert |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Known for | Development finance in Bulgaria, fostering entrepreneurship and free market principles |
Thomas Michael "Tom" Higgins (born July 16, 1966) is a U.S.-based social entrepreneur, professional investor, banker, and expert in economic development, recognized for his contributions to development finance in Bulgaria and his dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and free market principles.
Early years
Higgins was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents who had immigrated from Ireland. He is the second child among six siblings. His father served as a Captain in the New York City Fire Department, while his mother worked as a Registered Nurse. After relocating to Mahopac, New York, he completed his high school education at Mahopac High School in 1984. Higgins pursued higher education at the University at Albany, SUNY, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Management Information Systems. During his time there, he was honored with the Wall Street Award for Outstanding Business Student and earned First Team Academic All American honors twice for football. Prior to obtaining his MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in 1993, Higgins gained professional experience at Coopers & Lybrand and Equitable Life.
In Bulgaria
In 1993, Higgins began working with the Bulgarian American Enterprise Fund (BAEF) in Sofia as an MBA Enterprise Corps Volunteer under USAID sponsorship. By 1997, he had advanced to Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer positions, roles he maintained until 2005. Throughout this period, he oversaw SME and hotel financing at the Bulgarian-American Credit Bank (BACB), a start-up portfolio investment of BAEF that was eventually exited at 42 times the invested capital. Additionally, Higgins played a role in establishing Outward Bound Bulgaria and the Award for Young Entrepreneurial Excellence.
In 2005, he co-founded and co-managed the Balkan Accession Fund (BAF), a private equity and mezzanine financing vehicle with EUR 110 million capital focused on scaling successful companies from Bulgaria and Romania throughout Southeast Europe.
Higgins holds leadership positions including chairman, principal shareholder, and angel investor in multiple Bulgarian internet enterprises aimed at empowerment. His efforts to advance Bulgaria’s online marketplace earned him recognition in 2010.
In 2009, he launched the Empower United Foundation to promote youth entrepreneurship and leadership through initiatives such as the Empower Award—supported by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Economy—and the Empower Intern program backed by the America for Bulgaria Foundation.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), provides advisory support to Teach for Bulgaria, and belongs to YPO’s Europe One Chapter.
Personal life
Higgins is married to Penka Georgieva and splits his residence between Sofia, Bulgaria and New York City in the United States.