We are your Friends 
From The City.

Lapedra Tolson is the Founder and CEO of Friends From The City. Her career began as a base and combat photographer in the Air Force, where she served for five years, capturing powerful stories through her lens. After her service, she transitioned to a role as a Visual Information Specialist, contributing her expertise to several federal agencies in Washington, DC. Lapedra holds a B.A. in Broadcast Productions from NC A&T State University, an M.A. in Publications Design from the University of Baltimore, and an M.A. in Filmmaking from Kingston University in London, England. With a vision to create a company that blends human-centered design with accessible and inclusive technology, Lapedra leveraged her diverse educational background and professional expertise to launch Friends From The City. Outside of work, she’s an avid music lover and self-proclaimed foodie who enjoys exploring the world and experiencing new cultures through their cuisine.

Tamara Boyd Tolson, Co-Founder of Friends From The City, is a Denver, CO native and graduate of Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, GA) and Kingston University (London, England). Her experience in Corporate Communications, and Creative Project Management in the federal government, led her to reimagine how customer-focused technology could improve the public sector. Off the clock, Tamara enjoys hiking, building miniature replicas, and exploring new cuisines.

Allison Lu is a Senior Front-end Developer who has previously worked at UCLA and is passionate about building with a purpose. She is constantly reimagining the future of technology.

Charlotte Cesana is a Senior User Researcher with a global perspective, motivated by human-centered solutions to human problems. Her speciality is in mental health and behavior change. She is an advocate of holistic and participatory approaches to design and research for the greatest and most ethical impact. Charlotte is inspired by people who share their stories for research and design to improve products and experiences for the betterment of their communities. Most recently, she helped lead the development of a product feature highlighting diverse voices and co-created with people in recovery. She is honored to be on the Friends From The City team, and excited by the opportunity to make an impact in the transformative space of civic technology.

Joann Agnitti is a Senior User Researcher with over a decade of experience in the field. She has worked in EdTech, Digital Health Tech, and is excited to make an impact in the world of Civic Tech. Joann is a graduate of Columbia University’s Teachers College and holds a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology. She strives to connect with people authentically and compassionately. She also has a shameless love for all forms of wordplay, and yes that includes puns and dad jokes.

Joseph Lee is a Senior Product Designer who is passionate about using design and code to make a positive impact. With an extensive background in creating user-friendly experiences in the non-profit sector, he values human-centered design and believes that good design must be equitable, inclusive, and beautiful. He is excited about the opportunity to transition to Civic Tech to help design products that make interactions with the government more intuitive and enjoyable.

Paulina Fisher is a Senior User Researcher who believes everyone deserves an intuitive, simple, and delightful digital experience, no matter the platform or task at hand. In the past, she has worked on a wide array of projects ranging from designing diapers for NICU nurses, improving HR platforms for small businesses, and innovating the creation experience on social media. She is excited to be moving into civic technology, doing work that will focus on inclusivity and functionality in a meaningful space.

Christine Cereca is a Senior Front-end Developer with experience in healthcare, online communities, security, and affordable housing sectors. As a passionate maker at heart, she enjoys creating projects in both the digital and physical realms. Driven by diversity, inclusion, and impact, Christine thrives on making a difference through her work.

Evelyn Hilbrich Davis (she/her) is a Chicago-based Senior User Researcher committed to creating accessible experiences for all people. She believes engaging curiosity is essential to building understanding across differences; before Friends, Evelyn worked as a museum media producer, consultant, and educator. Evelyn earned her B.A. in Religious Studies from Yale University.

With a career spanning over a decade in project and product management, Marcia Ortiz is a seasoned Senior Product Manager driven by a profound commitment to making a positive impact. Her professional journey is marked by an insatiable curiosity that propels her to explore innovative solutions and elevate project outcomes. Marcia's passion for mission-driven work is evident in her proactive approach, actively seeking opportunities to contribute to initiatives that enhance the lives of end-users. Stepping outside the confines of Zoom meetings and conference rooms, Marcia proudly carries the title of a Virginia Tech alumna. Off-duty, she embraces the discipline of Muay Thai.

Mayene Kim is a Senior Product Designer who thrives on co-creating accessible, inclusive products at agencies and startups. Working within the constraints of broad topics like healthcare, education, or civic tech that can have many systemic barriers is a challenge that energizes her. Her focus on ethical design facilitates meaningful, necessary conversations while working on experiences that affect people from all different backgrounds. In her spare time, she indulges in root beer, makes donuts, spoils her moody bunny, immerses herself in games, and builds her never-ending backlog of books.

Victoria Suwardiman is a Senior User Researcher who is passionate about solving problems through centering the people most affected by them. She is motivated to do social impact work because of her refugee parents, and has over a decade of experience in the nonprofit, EdTech, and Civic Tech industries. Victoria is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native and graduate of Villanova University and DePaul University. Outside of work, she enjoys watching sports, reading fantasy novels, and chasing after her toddler.

Ben Nguyen is a User Researcher based in Los Angeles, CA who is committed to solving problems and creating accessible experiences with a “people first” mindset. As a child of refugee parents, Ben strives to serve underrepresented communities with an empathetic approach. Ben has a wide array of experience ranging from designing digital products for startups to conducting user research in immigrant communities. Outside of work, Ben enjoys an active lifestyle with his two dogs and is a huge history buff.

Andrew Boettger is a Senior Product Designer passionate about transforming complex challenges into seamless, user-friendly experiences. With a background as a fashion designer turned UX designer, Andrew has crafted custom solutions at McKinsey & Company and designed for NBCUniversal, SKY, and Comcast using data and design. Currently working in Florham Park, NJ, Andrew is excited to bring their expertise to civic technology, focusing on inclusivity and functionality. A volleyball enthusiast, pop culture aficionado, and member of the LGBTQQIP2SAA+ community, Andrew brings creativity and empathy to every aspect of their work and life.

Los Angeles-raised and based, Andrew Sung is a Senior Front-end Developer driven by the impact of engineering in transforming lives. With a B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley, Andrew brings experience across healthcare, forensics, and software. This diverse background fuels his belief that our unique perspectives reveal both the vibrant diversity of our world and the shared humanity that connects us, guiding us toward meaningful solutions. In his off time, you’ll find Andrew savoring good food, traveling, studying languages, listening to music, or exploring California’s beaches and mountains.