Yael Cohen is a prominent South African-Canadian health activist, social entrepreneur, and executive. Best known as the founder of the international non-profit organization F*ck Cancer (FCancer), she has reshaped how younger generations approach cancer detection, health education, and open conversations about illness. Beyond her advocacy work, she has established herself as a tech advisor, startup investor, and prominent voice in digital media.
Quick Profile & Key Information
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Yael Cohen (formerly Yael Cohen Braun) |
| Date of Birth | November 4, 1986 |
| Age | 39 years old |
| Place of Birth | South Africa |
| Nationality | South African / Canadian |
| Education | Political Science, University of British Columbia |
| Primary Roles | Activist, Founder of F*ck Cancer, Tech Advisor |
| Ex-Spouse | Scooter Braun (m. 2014, div. 2022) |
| Children | 3 |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$100 Million |
Early Life and Background
Yael Cohen was born on November 4, 1986, in South Africa into a close-knit Jewish family. In 1994, her family immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She grew up in an entrepreneurial environment shaped largely by her father, David Cohen, a high-profile mining executive who built a substantial fortune in the natural resources and mining sectors.
Growing up in Vancouver, Cohen was exposed early on to commercial strategy, business ethics, and social responsibility. She pursued her post-secondary education at the University of British Columbia (UBC), graduating with a degree in Political Science. Her background in political theory and strategic communication laid a foundation for her future work in grassroots organizing and health advocacy.
Career & Philanthropy: The Creation of F*ck Cancer
In 2009, Cohen’s life took a defining turn when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Navigating the health system alongside her mother, she noticed a critical flaw in traditional medical campaigns: most cancer awareness drives spoke primarily to older generations, using clinical or sanitized language that failed to engage younger people.
Recognizing that early detection saves lives, Cohen launched F*ck Cancer (FCancer) in 2009. The non-profit movement focused on three core pillars:
- Early Detection: Educating millennials and Gen Z to talk openly with parents and relatives about screenings.
- Prevention: Promoting healthier lifestyle habits to lower long-term risks.
- Community Support: Providing digital tools, resources, and emotional support networks for patients and caregivers.
By employing bold branding, viral social media strategies, and celebrity partnerships, FCancer grew into a global phenomenon. In 2015, Cohen’s organization merged with another entity created by activist Julie Greenbaum to consolidate their outreach efforts into a single unified non-profit force.
Business Ventures & Advisory Roles
Beyond philanthropy, Cohen has extended her leadership into media, technology, and commercial ventures:
- Motherlucker: Launched an online platform and community focusing on motherhood, parenting truths, and women’s health.
- Bumble Advisor: Joined the popular dating and networking platform Bumble as a senior advisor.
- Flipt Co-Founder: Co-founded Flipt, a creator commerce platform designed to build financial tooling and infrastructure for digital content creators.
Honors and Accolades
Cohen’s innovative approach to non-profit work earned her international recognition:
- Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business
- Elle’s Genius Award recipient
- Financial Post’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women
- Recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for philanthropic service
Personal Life and Marriage to Scooter Braun
Yael Cohen’s personal life became a subject of high public interest when she began dating music executive Scooter Braun in 2013. Braun, famous for managing megastars such as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, married Cohen on July 6, 2014, in a star-studded ceremony in Whistler, British Columbia.
During their seven-year marriage, the couple welcomed three children:
- Jagger Joseph Braun (born 2015)
- Levi Magnus Braun (born 2016)
- Hart Violet Braun (born 2018)
In July 2021, the couple announced their separation, and Braun filed for divorce shortly after. The divorce was finalized in September 2022 on amicable terms, with both parties agreeing to joint custody of their three children.
Estimated Net Worth & Financial Overview
Yael Cohen’s net worth is estimated at $100 million. Her financial standing stems from three primary sources:
- Family Background: Her father, David Cohen, generated significant wealth through major mining acquisitions, including Northern Orion Resources (sold for $1.5 billion) and Gold Wheaton Group (sold for roughly $1 billion).
- Divorce Settlement: As part of her 2022 divorce settlement from Scooter Braun, Cohen retained significant real estate and financial assets, including a prominent Brentwood mansion compound in California valued at over $30 million, along with investment portfolios and private holdings.
- Entrepreneurial Initiatives: Equity holdings in tech platforms, executive advisory roles, and digital media ventures.
Yael Cohen remains an influential social entrepreneur, bridging the gap between digital culture, preventative healthcare, and tech investment. Her work continues to inspire young advocates to transform personal challenges into impactful global campaigns.
