Peter Donat, Head of First Data Ventures
Pete Donat is currently Head of First Data Ventures, a group responsible for leading First Data’s efforts to harness innovation by partnering with small innovative companies who can leverage First Data’s processing assets and unmatched distribution to drive solutions that delight our customers and materially grow long-term revenue. He is also responsible for network business development, responses to major regulatory events (e.g. Durbin I & II), managing several of the company's non-traditional partnerships. Previously, held senior management roles in Business Development, Innovation and eCommerce. He led the 2013 opening of FDC’s Palo Alto office. From 2004-09 he was VP of Enterprise Planning & Corporate Strategy at Visa - with responsibilities for long-term planning, competitive intelligence and Visa International's restructuring and IPO. From 1997-2004 he held a variety of senior management roles at MasterCard. He was VP of Product/Change Management with responsibilities for product strategy across credit, debit, prepaid, P2P programs - and regulatory risk management. He headed e-Business Development, where he implemented EMV, Mondex, internet security, PayPass, m-commerce, and prepaid solutions. Earlier, he led MasterCard’s Corporate Planning team. Prior to MasterCard he was a management consultant at Marakon Associates and a political hack on two Al Gore campaigns. He has an MBA from Wharton, a Masters in International Economics and American Foreign Policy from Johns Hopkins SAIS, and a BA from Dartmouth. He serves as Board advisor to several payment and security startups and was previously a Trustee of the World Affairs Councils in Northern California and Connecticut. He is an avid 49er season ticket holder, a slow moving backpacker, a proud father, and an aspiring wine snob.