We Are Cortex | Kit Menke

Beneath cold, hard data and rigid, unforgiving lines of code, software engineer Kit Menke finds human passion, opportunity and innovation every day.

Long before he became the solutions architect and data engineer for Cortex-based Turnberry Solutions, Menke was using what he calls human-centered data solutions on a daily basis. That means helping clients of the global consulting firm extract value out of their data to make faster decisions, hold themselves accountable and innovate.

“Data is greater than opinion,” Menke said, reflecting a phrase emblazoned on his T-shirt. “That means you have actual, real data points to back up why you're making a certain decision.”

Menke’s passion for human-centered solutions also applies outside of the office in three other roles. First, he organizes a monthly St. Louis Big Data Innovation, Data Engineering, and Data Analytics meetup designed to build and connect the data science community in the region. “Our theme this year is geared toward helping job seekers,” Menke said. “The market’s a little bit tough right now, so anything we can do to help them.”

He also works on showing opportunities in the software development trade for younger humans from Lift for Life Academy in St. Louis City, offering early exposure to software development through Turnberry’s 1904Coders program. “We help them build games and apps and teach them core software engineering concepts while having a little bit of fun,” Menke said. “It opens up a career path that they might not have realized was possible.”

Finally, Menke is involved with Hours with Experts, an eight-week course on the basics of data engineering in which students gain experience building a data pipeline — and exposure to a speciality they might be inspired to pursue as a career.

Working for an organization that spans the globe — with offices in Pennsylvania, California and India — Menke appreciates the sense of community, innovation and collaboration he gains working within Cortex.

“I come in to meet with everybody in the office and it brings a certain energy I don't find at home. I can get a coffee, get a snack, interact with all the other people here, and you get exposure to all the different companies here,” he said. “It’s just a lot of other people doing innovative and cool things.”

We Are Cortex celebrates the individuals who power our vibrant district. Join us on Tuesday, October 28, for #WeAreCortex – an inspiring and interactive event highlighting the thinkers, builders, creators, and doers who are shaping the future of St. Louis and beyond. Click here to learn more and RSVP!