The Great Battlefield Developing Progressive Leadership with Theo LeCompte of LOFT
Nov 21, 2025
Theo LeCompte, Executive Director of LOFT Fellowship, brings a wealth of experience from campaigns, the Obama administration, and tech startups. He dives into LOFT's mission to train future leaders for public service, highlighting their comprehensive fellowship program that combines leadership training and hands-on business experience. Theo emphasizes the importance of mentorship and structured team practices in leadership. He also contrasts LOFT's approach with the conservative investments in leadership development, underlining the need for progressive talent cultivation.
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Bring Corporate Talent Investment To Politics
- LOFT applies Fortune 100-style talent investment to the political sector to build stronger leaders.
- Investing in people’s leadership skills yields long-term organizational benefits beyond short campaign cycles.
From Dot‑Com Bust To Campaign Work
- Theo began in campaigns after the dot-com bust and his first paid job was on Carl McCall's gubernatorial run.
- Early losses led him to DC and the Center for American Progress, shaping his political career.
Life On The Road With Presidential Campaigns
- Theo worked on the road for Wesley Clark and then John Kerry, traveling across many states and learning advance operations.
- He recalls vivid moments like being in Dixville Notch on primary night and finishing the Kerry campaign in La Crosse, Wisconsin.