Tyler Hilker
If I am a puzzle, these are some edge pieces.
I enjoy shaping perspectives and systems to make the most of opportunities. I'm often addressing alignment issues, scratching itches, and learning how to slow down faster.
I've got an amazing wife, four incredible kids, and a bunch of animals.
I'm one who hopes in Jesus but struggles greatly to consistently live into that reality; I'm thankful for grace and small wins.
As the VP of Strategy at Crema — a design & technology consultancy in Kansas City — I help find, shape, and unlock opportunities for people, teams, and products.
Ideas I come back to often
Collect the dots; connect the dots
A simple phrase to remind myself that both mindsets are required for great work.
Organizational Overhead
The cost of working in or with any organization. Politics, processes, systems, technology, etc.
Distribution multiplies distribution
As a product adds users, it will field exponentially more and a broader variety of requests to meet the needs of said users.
Side Projects
- kafa — kafa is a trellis of personal formation, weaving wisdom & insight from scripture, lyrics, poetry, and prose throughout history to foster deep roots & abundant fruit.
- waybeta — Going somewhere new? Share a link and let your friends drop their recommendations — what to eat, see, and do, and why it's worth it.
- gryd — A deceptively simple, progressively difficult tapping game
- vrbl — Like Boggle, but harder
- d3c0d3 — Speed CAPTCHA
- Glitch Reality — Generative NFT collection
Things I Like
Diner-style mugs
Extracurriculars
- Currently: Board of Directors, Children's Mercy Cancer Center Auxiliary
- Customer Discovery Workshop for KU Innovation Park's Lab2Market Accelerator
- Lightning session at Miro's Distributed '23
- Podcast interview with Devin Henderson
- Guest speaker for Rockhurst University's entrepreneurship program
- Guest speaker for UMKC's Innovation Center
- Past mentor and speaker for the Kansas City Fellows program
- Past advisor for De Soto School District's CAPS program
- Executive Leadership Committee, LLS (now Blood Cancer United) Light the Night KC, 2014 & 2015
- Team in Training, KC Marathon (2013; 4:12) & Half Marathon (2015; 1:55)
Notable Travels
- 42 US states — mostly road trips with friends or family
- 2018 — 6,070 miles, 30 days, family of 6, 14 nights in a tent
- 2020 — Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Mt Rushmore, Badlands
- 2023 — Great Sand Dunes, Grand Canyon, Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- 2024 — 4,400 miles; Phoenix, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Santa Cruz, SF, Lake Tahoe
- Midwest brewery trip — 4 friends, 4 days, 8 states, 13 breweries, many different beers (mostly tasters, I promise)
- Thailand — teaching English to native Thai teachers
- Philippines — supporting non-profit work at a university in Iloilo
Oreo Reviews
A running list of varieties I've evaluated.
Remarkable
Space Dunk, Blueberry Pie, Apple Pie, Rice Krispy Treats, Kettle Corn, Birthday Cake, Fruity Crisps, Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake, Carrot Cake, Jelly Doughnut, Cotton Candy, Caramel Apple, Maple Crème, Neapolitan, Strawberry Frosted Donut, Chocolate Hazelnut, Piña Colada, Pumpkin Spice, Brookie-O, Apple Cider Donut, Gingerbread, Blackout Cake, Churro
Not my favorite
Mocha Caramel Latte, Easter, Love, Rocky Road Trip, Mystery/Fruity Pebbles, Cookie Butter, Fireworks, Toffee Crunch, Cherry Cola, Peanut Butter, S'Mores, Watermelon, Cookies & Creme, Peeps, Java Chip, Coca-Cola