It has been more than two decades since River Cohen first embarked on an entrepreneurial and philanthropic career in which he has consistently earned an array of accolades stemming from his remarkably diverse insights across a wide range of subjects. Mr. Cohen, the CEO of River Cohen Giving and Datainsure, revolutionized an entire industry through the application of his extensive expertise in electronic payment processing and compliance, enabling businesses to reap the rewards of fast, accurate, and secure payment processes.
Even though his entrepreneurial accomplishments are undeniably impressive and represent a source of great pride for Mr. Cohen, the Datainsure founder and CEO is equally recognized for his philanthropic work as the CEO of River Cohen Giving. As an exceptionally active philanthropist, Mr. Cohen often provides support to socially conscious startups that stand to benefit from the award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist’s expertise as an investor, business leader, and strategic advisor.
Mr. Cohen, who grew up in Mendocino, California, and graduated from Arizona State University, currently lives with his wife and two children in a home in the San Francisco Bay Area. A frequent traveler between his home in Northern California and his company headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Mr. Cohen has deftly balanced his time amongst his professional, philanthropic, and familial commitments throughout the entirety of his career as the CEO of both River Cohen Giving and Datainsure.
Motivated by an unwavering passion for philanthropic giving, Mr. Cohen is always searching for opportunities to build lifelong partnerships with organizations and individuals committed to a conscientious approach that ultimately leads to the realization of benefits for people all over the world. Mr. Cohen continues to be an entrepreneurial and philanthropic pioneer in every potential sense of the word, offering his insight and support to those who hope to make a positive contribution in the service of society at large.
1. What was your best/favorite subject in school?
I thrived in every subject in which computer science or software development was prominently featured, but I also enjoyed courses involving debate or negotiation as well.
2. What was your first job?
An early entrepreneurial endeavor provided me with very first work experience.
3. Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
As both an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, I developed a clear vision of what I intended to create while still an undergraduate at ASU. It was during that time that Datainsure and River Cohen Giving began to take shape.
4. How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
As I worked on developing both concepts, the importance of combining creativity with thorough preparation was firmly reinforced in my mind.
5. Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
It is an absolute joy to experience any occasion representing the beginning of what will hopefully become a lifelong partnership between like-minded, conscientious individuals pursuing important societal goals through philanthropy and entrepreneurship.
6. How do you keep yourself motivated?
Every cause in need of support provides me with more than enough motivation.
7. What kind of business ideas excite you most?
I believe entrepreneurship and philanthropy can be utilized to accomplish so many things that will benefit all of society, so I am most excited when a business idea emerges out of the desire to support an important cause.
8. Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
Although I would not characterize any of my efforts as unorthodox, I do enjoy experimenting with new techniques for generating attention to my entrepreneurial and philanthropic work.
9. What personal achievement are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve balanced all my responsibilities in a way that has made it possible to achieve all the personal and professional goals I planned to pursue when I first started out over 20 years ago.
10. What wisdom you would have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
I had already created a strong foundation for my entrepreneurial and philanthropic organizations when I first started out, so I’m not sure I could offer any advice that would allow me to start out in a markedly improved position.