Michael Haft

Background

About Michael Haft

With over 12 years of work experience, I am a passionate and driven entrepreneur, leader, and advisor in the coffee and food industry. I co-founded Compass Coffee, a successful and growing chain of cafes that offers high-quality coffee and a welcoming atmosphere. I also serve as a board member at Union Kitchen, a food business accelerator that supports local entrepreneurs and creates jobs and wealth in our community. As a strategic advisor at Prefect, a software company that helps data teams automate workflows, I leverage my insights and experience to help them grow and scale their business. As the co-founder of Compass Coffee, I oversee the operations, strategy, and vision of the company, along with my partner and fellow Marine veteran. We started the company in 2013, after we returned from our service and realized that we wanted to create something meaningful and impactful in our hometown of Washington, DC. We learned everything we could about coffee, from sourcing and roasting to brewing and serving, and we opened our first cafe in a former laundromat. Since then, we have expanded to 17 locations, with plans to open more in the future. We have also launched our own line of products, including coffee beans, cold brew, and merchandise. I am proud of the culture and values we have built at Compass Coffee, where we treat our customers, employees, and partners with respect, honesty, and kindness. I also enjoy sharing our story and vision with various media outlets, events, and podcasts. Some of the skills that I use and develop in my role are team building, conflict resolution, leadership development, and entrepreneurship.