Levi Drake

Background

About Levi Drake

I am a generalist with a diverse background, holding myself to high expectations while staying curious about how things fit together. I currently co-own a small startup beverage business, where I handle everything from operational strategy to fermentation experiments, and where I’ve learned that there is no better test of your system design skills than watching it operate in the real world. Before small business management, I completed a master’s at the University of Illinois focusing on large dataset analysis and modeling of environmental concerns across scales. I have experience in machine learning workflows, network modeling, and statistical analysis, and I’ve spent years working with experimental design to capture clean data for systems that don’t give up their secrets easily. This technical foundation pairs well with my generalist mindset, and I often think of David Epstein’s “Range” when reflecting on how exposure to multiple domains allows for faster and more effective problem-solving, especially in environments where ambiguity or urgency are the norm. Throughout my education and career, I have been responsible for translating complex, technical information for diverse audiences. It is possible to quickly identify an audience's level of understanding and filter the noise to deliver the critical pieces that need to land. This isn’t a “soft skill”—it’s one of the most financially impactful skills a team can develop, reducing future costs from misalignment and unclear expectations. Time spent clarifying issues upfront is worth it, and I’ve seen the long-term operational benefits this creates in both research and business environments. I find the greatest reward in joining teams that are grappling with complex or chaotic systems, bringing a structured but flexible approach, and helping people see new pathways through problems. My background allows me to think globally about problems, but I also like being close to the ground where decisions are made under pressure. Whether in environmental data modeling, fermentation system troubleshooting, or customer demand forecasting, the goal is the same: understand the system, reduce the noise, and keep moving. I am passionate about science communication, education, philosophy, fermentation, and leveraging new technologies for data analysis and visualization. I enjoy diving into new topics, and I get motivated when working alongside people who are driven by curiosity and a desire to build something meaningful. Feel free to reach out if you think we might learn something from each other. Let’s grab a drink.