Andrew Stakoun
At the crossroads of innovation and exploration, you’ll find Andrew Stakoun of Atlanta, a seasoned technology leader and avid traveler. With over 25 years of experience in software development and engineering leadership, Andrew has built a career guiding teams and technologies that drive meaningful business outcomes. Beyond the world of code and strategy, he shares his passion for authentic travel experiences, offering practical tips and real-world insights that inspire others to discover the world for themselves.
About Andrew Stakoun
Andrew Stakoun of Atlanta is a seasoned technology leader with more than 25 years of experience in software development and information technology, including over two decades in leadership roles driving innovation, team growth, and business impact. Throughout his career, Andrew has built a reputation for leading high-performing engineering and cross-functional teams, fostering strong stakeholder partnerships, and consistently delivering solutions that align technology with business outcomes.
Currently serving as Senior Director of Engineering at Zebra Technologies, Andrew continues to lead at the forefront of technology innovation. Previously, he spent over five years at Ceridian, where he advanced from Director to Senior Director of Engineering. In these roles, he oversaw Core Platform and Security teams, guiding critical initiatives within the company’s Product and Technology organization. His leadership helped shape platform stability, enhance security, and enable scalable growth.
Earlier in his career, Andrew directed engineering at Nobul, a real estate technology startup, where he spearheaded the design and delivery of web and mobile products, data ingestion and analytics systems, and DevOps processes. He successfully led a technology platform migration to a modern stack—including React/GraphQL, Node, PostgreSQL, and Google Cloud—while implementing Agile methodologies that positioned the company for rapid growth.
Outside of his professional accomplishments, Andrew is also passionate about travel and exploration. He manages several social media platforms where he shares first-hand travel stories, helpful tips, and snapshots of authentic experiences. His focus is on capturing the real moments of travel—natural scenery, cultural encounters, and everyday adventures—without relying on drones or staged effects. Through this work, Andrew Stakoun of Atlanta encourages others to explore the world in their own way and share their journeys with the same spirit of authenticity. Balancing a successful career in technology with his love for discovering new places, Andrew thrives at the intersection of innovation and adventure, building not only impactful engineering solutions but also meaningful global connections.
Global Perspectives Through Travel: How Exploring the World Fuels Growth, Creativity, and Empathy
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, travel is more than a leisure activity or an escape from daily responsibilities—it is a profound educational experience with lasting personal and professional benefits. Whether it’s a short trip abroad, a cross-country road journey, or an immersion into an unfamiliar culture, travel has the ability to reshape how we think, work, and interact with others. Andrew Stakoun of Atlanta emphasizes that by stepping beyond familiar environments and routines, individuals gain fresh perspectives that extend far beyond sightseeing. In fact, travel often cultivates creativity, sharpens problem-solving skills, and deepens empathy—qualities that are just as essential in professional settings as they are in personal life.
Travel as a Classroom Without Walls
One of the most compelling aspects of travel is that it transforms the world into a living classroom. Unlike formal education or professional training, where lessons are carefully curated, travel delivers spontaneous learning opportunities through real-world encounters. For example, navigating public transportation in Tokyo, bargaining in a Moroccan souk, or learning basic phrases in Italian while exploring Rome all provide problem-solving challenges that expand cognitive flexibility.
These seemingly small moments carry larger implications. They train us to adapt, stay curious, and view the unfamiliar as an opportunity rather than a threat. Andrew Stakoun explains that this openness to learning becomes a transferable skill in the workplace, where change is constant and adaptability is prized. Travel teaches us that solutions may not always come from the methods we know best, but rather from observing, listening, and being willing to adjust.
Fostering Creativity Through Exposure to New Environments
Creativity thrives when we break routines and engage with new sensory inputs. Visiting a bustling street market in Bangkok, hiking the cliffs of Ireland, or admiring the artistry of Gaudí’s architecture in Barcelona introduces the mind to unfamiliar patterns, colors, and cultural expressions. These new stimuli spark connections in the brain that might remain dormant in familiar surroundings.
Professionals in industries from technology to design often report that some of their best ideas come while traveling. That’s not a coincidence—exposure to new environments forces the brain to think in innovative ways. A software engineer might draw inspiration for user interface design from the signage systems in airports, while a writer might uncover themes for a novel from conversations with locals. Andrew Stakoun of Atlanta understands that by leaving comfort zones behind, travelers give themselves permission to think differently, which directly translates into greater creativity and innovation back home.
Problem-Solving Beyond Comfort Zones
Travel is rarely seamless. Flights get delayed, luggage goes missing, and language barriers can complicate even the simplest tasks. Yet these challenges are what make travel such a powerful teacher of resilience and resourcefulness. Travelers quickly learn that obstacles are not roadblocks but puzzles waiting to be solved.
Consider the experience of arriving in a city late at night with no cell service. Andrew Stakoun explains that the process of finding a hotel, asking for directions in a language you don’t speak, and adapting to local customs can feel overwhelming in the moment—but the skills developed in handling these situations are invaluable. In professional contexts, this ability to stay calm, assess the options, and improvise solutions is a hallmark of effective leadership and teamwork. Travel, in essence, acts as a training ground for creative problem-solving under pressure.
Building Empathy Through Cultural Immersion
Perhaps the most profound lesson of travel is its ability to nurture empathy. When we experience life as others live it—eating their food, participating in their festivals, or simply observing their daily routines—we begin to appreciate perspectives beyond our own. Cultural immersion breaks down stereotypes and replaces them with real human connections.
For instance, sharing a meal with a host family in rural Peru or volunteering at a community project in Kenya brings to light the universality of human needs and values, while also highlighting the beauty of differences. These experiences foster compassion, humility, and respect—qualities essential for thriving in diverse workplaces and multicultural societies.
Empathy gained through travel isn’t just emotional; it has practical applications too. Professionals who have traveled widely are often more skilled at working with global teams, understanding customer needs across different markets, and leading with cultural sensitivity. In a global economy, these abilities are no longer optional—they are essential.
Travel as a Catalyst for Lifelong Growth
Beyond immediate experiences, the benefits of travel ripple into long-term growth. Travelers return home with a broader worldview, greater adaptability, and a deeper appreciation for both diversity and commonality. Andrew Stakoun of Atlanta explains that these qualities help individuals build stronger relationships, make informed decisions, and approach challenges with creativity and resilience.
From a professional standpoint, travel equips leaders and team members alike with the tools to navigate globalization. As organizations increasingly operate across borders, the ability to empathize, adapt, and innovate becomes a competitive advantage. Personally, travel enriches lives with stories, friendships, and insights that cannot be replicated in books or on screens.
Embracing Travel as Part of Growth
Not everyone has the means to travel frequently, but even small steps can provide global perspectives. Exploring local cultural festivals, engaging with diverse communities within one’s own city, or virtually connecting with international peers can foster some of the same skills and perspectives. Andrew Stakoun understands that the essence of travel lies not in how far you go but in the willingness to learn from difference and embrace new ways of thinking.
Global perspectives gained through travel serve as powerful tools for personal and professional growth. From sparking creativity and enhancing problem-solving skills to cultivating empathy and cultural sensitivity, the lessons learned while exploring new places are invaluable. In a world where adaptability and human connection are more important than ever, travel stands out as both a transformative experience and a lifelong investment in growth.
Travel is not just about where we go. Andrew Stakoun of Atlanta emphasizes that it’s about how those journeys change us, shaping us into more innovative thinkers, compassionate leaders, and connected global citizens.