Escape Velocity with Tracey Halvorsen: Where Strategy Meets the Unexpected

  Tracey Halvorsen welcomes Miles Kemp , CEO and design innovator at Variate . With a background in architecture and experience leading digital transformation for brands like Marriott, Carnival, and Macy’s , Miles brings a unique perspective on the evolving relationship between technology, design, and human experience. The conversation explores: • Bridging Architecture and UX: How Miles transition...

In this episode, Tracey sits down with Chris Gilbert , a senior creative developer with over a decade of experience in building performant, interactive, and accessible websites and applications . Chris is a deep thinker on the evolution of AI in software development , the future of web design , and the shifting role of agencies in an AI-driven landscape . They discuss how AI-powered development to...

In this episode, Tracey speaks with Kara Redman , founder and lead strategist of Backroom , about the evolution of brand strategy, the power of personal branding , and why showing up authentically in public spaces (especially on LinkedIn) is both a risk and a powerful tool. Kara shares insights on how her personal brand has brought unexpected opportunities, her experiences in scaling and re-scalin...

In this episode, Tracey sits down with Edit Barry and Allison Le , co-founders of E&A Collaborative , an award-winning women-owned brand consultancy specializing in higher education and mission-driven branding . With nearly two decades of experience, Edit and Allison share their insights on the challenges facing higher education marketing , the growing trend of “Blanding” (branding becoming ho...

In this episode, Tracey speaks with Elizabeth Bawol , Creative Director of Brand and Strategy at Wide Eye Creative . With a career spanning work at Planned Parenthood, AmeriCorps, and Wide Eye , Elizabeth shares her experiences shaping major campaigns, including the Democratic National Convention . She discusses the messy yet rewarding process of creative work, the importance of strategic storytel...

In this episode, Tracey speaks with Monica Sanchez and Yianni Mathioudakis , co-founders of DEEO , a creative studio focused on digital design, strategy, and innovation. Having worked together for years in different capacities, Monica and Yianni share their experiences launching their own company, embracing risk, rejecting bad-fit clients, and fostering an environment of curiosity, exploration, an...

In this episode, Tracey speaks with Dave Look, CEO of Chromatic , about the pursuit of curiosity, the challenges of leadership, and the discipline of prioritization. From practicing Krav Maga to exploring lockpicking , Dave embodies the idea that developing diverse skills can enhance leadership, problem-solving, and creative thinking. The conversation covers ruthless prioritization , the philosoph...