Craig Cohen

About Craig Cohen

Executive credit and risk leader with 20+ years of experience scaling lending platforms, building policy frameworks, and leading credit teams through growth, risk cycles, and capital events. Originated more than $10B+ across fintech, staffing, transportation, commercial and institutional finance sectors while maintaining sub 1% portfolio loss rates.Currently lead all credit and operational components at Alterna Capital Solutions, a growing specialty finance platform serving a broad and diverse client base. Previous experience included leading credit strategy and business development, where I directed structured finance for staffing companies and built a transportation vertical responsible for $MM+ in originations. Designed underwriting and compliance infrastructure, credit policy, and automation across both. Prior to that, as Chief Credit Officer, I scaled a $120M portfolio to $850M, owned a $100M P&L, and maintained 99% client retention. Led credit risk, due diligence, governance, and regulatory integration through acquisition.I bring a rare balance of risk governance and innovation, having led AI-enabled credit modeling, high-volume portfolio oversight, and distressed loan recovery across traditional and SaaS-enabled lending environments.Recognized by Commercial Finance Assoc (CFA 40 Under 40) and Crain’s Notable Leaders in Finance, I also serve on several nonprofit boards and speak regularly on capital access and financial resilience. Fintech & Specialty Lending Portfolio & Risk Governance Credit Policy & Infrastructure Lending Automation Cross-Functional Leadership Financial Statements + Analytics Business Operations + Infrastructure Growth-Stage Credit Platforms 2025 Featured Speaker, GovCon Giants 2025 Featured Speaker, Federal Help Center 2024 Featured Speaker, GovCon Giants 2021 Featured Speaker, Staffing Industry Analyst 2017 CFA 40 Under 40 Award Winner, Commercial Finance Association 2025 Notable Leaders in Finance Award Winner, Crain\'s Cleveland Business Board Member & Finance Committee Chair, Positive Education Program (PEP) Board Member & Trustee, Finance Committee Chair, Fieldstone Farm

Experience

1. Director of Credit & Operations

   Alterna Capital Solutions

   Jan 2026 — Present · Cleveland, OH, US

   Build and lead the credit and operational foundation of a growing specialty finance platform. With max credit authority, oversee underwriting strategy, risk governance, and operational execution across the portfolio. Key focus areas include institutionalizing credit discipline, scaling underwriting capacity, strengthening due diligence standards, and implementing risk controls that support sustainable growth. Lead a a growing organization of professionals while driving process automation, compliance alignment, and portfolio performance management.

Education

• John Carroll University

  Master of Business, MBA, Finance

  2005

• The Ohio State University

  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, BSBA, Finance

  2002