Draft:Michael Haft

Michael Haft (born November 3, 1986) is an American entrepreneur, veteran, venture capitalist, and business executive best known as the CEO and founder of Compass Coffee, a Washington DC-based chain of coffee shops. He is also known for his service as a United States Marine Corps Infantry Officer in Afghanistan.

Early life and education
Haft was born on November 3, 1986, in Washington, D.C., to businessman Robert Haft and Mary Haft, who is known for his work in the retail industry, including the Dart Group and Crown Books. His grandfather is Herbert Haft, a prominent American businessman who founded the Dart Group.

Haft attended the Maret School in Washington, D.C. Haft went on to attend Washington University in St. Louis where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a focus on Business and Entrepreneurship.

Military service
In 2009, after his junior year at Washington University in St. Louis, Haft attended the Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps) and was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduating college the following year. Haft was trained as an infantry officer and was eventually assigned as a weapons platoon commander to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. Haft led his platoon in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom to support the War on Terror embedded with the Afghan National Police in the Helmand Province during 2011.

Compass Coffee
After his military service, Haft returned to Washington, D.C., where he founded Compass Coffee. As of 2023, Compass Coffee is a well-known chain of coffee shops in the Washington, D.C., area. Under Haft's leadership, the company has grown and expanded its presence in the region to 17 locations.

Made in DC
Haft designed the Made in DC logo and has testified before the Council of the District of Columbia on manufacturing and business issues. He was an avid prominent of the DC government supporting local businesses.

Publications
Michael Haft along with Harrison Suarez has co-authored a book named, Perfect Coffee At Home.

Personal life
Michael has been married to Sofia Haft, who is the director of communications at Anduril Industries and a public affairs officer in the US Navy Reserve. In 2024, the couple welcomed their daughter Sloan Tereza Haft on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Michael has won 2017 DC Chamber of Commerce’s Community Impact Award. In 2023, he received the Washington Business Journal "40 under 40" award.