Mike Stack

In 2019, I traveled solo to Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, to trek the Gunung Leuser National Park, which hosts rare wildlife such as the orangutan. In Bahasa Indonesian, orangutan translates to "orang hutan," which means "person of the forest." Observing these animals firsthand makes you understand the origin of their name. They reminded me of the Lorax character from the Dr. Seuss book. Much like the lorax, the endless expanses of palm oil plantations surrounding their National Park residence threaten the existence of their habitat.

Motivated by this experience and aiming to create a portfolio project instead of pursuing graduate school, I teamed up with the trekking company to invest in a plot of land. Our vision was straightforward: establish a farm, offer guest accommodations for trekkers visiting the nearby Gunung Leuser National Park, and integrate data systems to improve agricultural practices. The initiative aimed to benefit both the local community and the adjacent Gunung Leuser National Park.

Fast forward 4+ years, and orangutan-stem has transformed into a thriving orchard cultivating mangoes, avocados, cinnamon, guavas, and other unique species. The project has expanded to feature guest rooms for ecotourism, a full-service restaurant, WiFi connectivity, and a dedicated team ensuring the smooth operation of data systems.

My personal investment, totaling over $100,000 and still less expensive than graduate school, has been allocated to the land, irrigation controls, data infrastructure, and various farm amenities. All revenue generated from accommodations, the restaurant, orchard harvests, and trekking tours is entirely reinvested into the local Indonesian community. The skills I gained in software and data engineering, off-grid technologies, and farming were invaluable, and probably worth more than what I would have gotten from a university.

Commencing my career in 2015, I started with an internship and senior year co-op at a fleet management company, now known as Wheels. Advancing through roles as a Data Analyst, Data Scientist, and Product Manager, I accumulated valuable experiences working with data. This trajectory ultimately led me to Productive Edge, a consultancy in Chicago, and later to Nature's Fynd, a biomaterials manufacturing company associated with Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

Since starting orangutan-stem, my focus has been on data and software infrastructure for enterprise-grade applications. The evolving landscape, marked by advanced high-level programming languages, libraries, and AI applications, necessitates more STEM pioneers. As we navigate a technological renaissance, I advocate for free, community-driven tools and open-source frameworks. In 2023, advancements in language models, open-source SDKs, and powerful cloud products have opened abundant opportunities for STEM professionals.

My career has spanned various full-time roles from Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Product Manager, Consultant, Data Engineer, and currently, as the Manager of Data Science and Engineering at 365 Retail Markets.

Beyond my full-time role at 365 Retail Markets and involvement in orangutan-stem, I enjoy running, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. I am an Ironman currently training for my second in Fall 2024, high school All-American swimmer, and was recruited to swim D1 at Indiana University.

After graduating from Indiana University in 2016, I lived across the Midwestern United States, the Pacific West Coast, and currently reside in Chicago, where I have lived for most of my life. I travel often, most specifically to Southeast Asia, where I am fortunate to experience a completely different hemisphere of culture, nature, and adventures.

I am blessed for the unwavering support of my family, friends, and business colleagues. Their encouragement has been instrumental in achieving what feels like winning the lottery and living the American Dream. I value this experience and am enthusiastic about sharing it with the world, as it has been made possible by the opportunities afforded to me.

My goal is to continue sharing this dream with the community of locals in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, Chicagoans, and other aspiring STEM practitioners around the world.