Tom Cochran
Strategic Tech Advisor to CEOs & Boards
“Credibility is not something you’re given. It’s something you earn by listening first, then leading.”
About Me
I’m an advisor working at the intersection of trust, technology, and transformation. From the White House Situation Room to the boardroom, I help leaders navigate change with clarity.
My career has operated at the intersection of technology, government, and media. As a presidential appointee in the Obama White House and U.S. State Department, and later as CTO of The Atlantic, I didn’t just witness digital transformation. I led the teams that defined it, with accountability built in from the start.
My foundation is technical: I was the first engineer at the digital firm that powered $1.2 billion in grassroots fundraising for two presidential campaigns. Today, I translate that deep technical fluency into executive strategy, helping organizations bridge the gap between complex systems and principled leadership.
My insights on trust, transparency, and decision-making appear in the Harvard Business Review and The Washington Post. Currently, I advise a select group of executives managing high-stakes growth and transition.
Who I Work With
I help leaders in nonprofits, media, and mission-driven businesses grow their teams, simplify their systems, and lead with clarity when the stakes are high.
Founders
in Transition
Build trust by leading with humility.
I help leaders sharpen their structure, clarify direction, and align teams with purpose. Together, we bring structure and clarity to lead with confidence and integrity.
Executives
Under Pressure
Demonstrate the value of nuanced risk.
I help leaders steady their teams, separate urgency from noise, and act decisively. We cut through noise to focus, set priorities, and lead with accountability when it matters most.
Operators
Facing Complexity
Use technology to unlock potential.
I help leaders cut through clutter, simplify workflows, and adopt better tools. Together, we streamline systems, clarify who owns what, and allow your team to focus.
Where I’ve Worked
From managing a $40 million global diplomacy operation at the State Department to overseeing $20–25 million P&Ls in the private sector, I’ve helped institutions scale responsibly and built global digital platforms to engage millions.
Oversaw WhiteHouse.gov and co-created “We the People,” the petition site that helped millions engage with government.
Led a 140-person team and $40M digital effort to modernize U.S. diplomacy, expand outreach, and build global trust.
Led digital transformation as CTO of The Atlantic and Quartz, reshaping platforms, teams, and audience strategy.
Built the original tech stack enabling $1.2B in donations across major presidential campaigns.
Led a $25M business unit driving digital transformation for federal agencies, nonprofits, and global enterprises.
Oversaw $20M P&L and led integrated marketing ops to modernize client strategy, content, and communications.
Where I’ve Spoken
Over the past decade, I’ve spoken in more than 20 countries at events ranging from private briefings at the New Zealand Parliament to global stages like ad:tech Tokyo, the Dublin Tech Summit, and Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you’re organizing a gathering and want to explore these themes, feel free to reach out.
Let’s Start a Conversation
I take on a limited number of advisory and speaking engagements each year. If you’re facing a key decision or preparing for change, feel free to reach out.