The Coaches of Color partnership is a joint venture between Talent Ascent and Leland Thompson Coaching, created to develop and deliver content specifically for people of color. 

Leland Thompson is the founder of Leland Thompson Coaching, established in 2012 with a clear and compelling mission: to support leaders in transformative growth. Since then, he has partnered with executives and senior leaders across industries—including technology, education, retail, and more—to elevate leadership performance, build high-functioning teams, and drive meaningful, measurable results.  

Leland’s approach goes beyond traditional coaching. His firm offers a comprehensive suite of services, including executive coaching, team development, leadership training, interview preparation, and presentation mastery. His clients value the balance of strategic insight and direct accountability—eschewing platitudes in favor of bold, actionable change.  

Prior to launching his coaching practice, Leland held senior leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies such as Apple Inc. and Gap Inc. There, he led diverse teams, achieved consistent year-over-year sales growth, and championed operational excellence. These formative experiences in high-performance environments inform his dynamic coaching style and results-driven philosophy.  

Leland has also contributed his expertise to various nonprofit boards and has a strong commitment to service, having volunteered with organizations like Habitat for Humanity in Honduras and supported youth through leadership initiatives. He has coached TEDx speakers and emerging leaders alike, helping them bring clarity, conviction, and impact to their message.

Today, Leland continues to lead with authenticity and energy—bringing both strategic rigor and human connection to every engagement.