Our Team
Our consultancy is network of skilled human-centered designers, thinkers, doers, and facilitators with a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences.
Jason Lee (he/him)
Founder and Principal
Jason founded FMRA on the belief that the best ideas to improve civic life will always come from the people. He and the FMRA team deploy inclusive design processes that center the voices of the most impacted stakeholders to design solutions that meet everyone’s needs.
Jason has worked in civic design for over 8 years. Prior to founding FMRA, Jason co-founded a social innovation consultancy focused on the education space. Before that, Jason spent three years as a senior designer at Continuum Innovation where he focused on social innovation and public sector projects. Previously, Jason was an architect and urban designer of social/affordable housing and planning in Europe and Asia for 9 years.
Outside of FMRA, Jason is a mentor and member of the advisory board at MIT’s DesignX social innovation accelerator program. He is the Board Secretary of LivableStreets Alliance, a non-profit that advocates for safe and vibrant public spaces and transportation. He serves on the executive committee of the Planners of Color network, and he is also a Town Meeting member in Winchester, where he lives. When he’s not working, you can find him in the Middlesex Fells hiking or mountain biking.
Friends and Collaborators
Matthew Claudel (he/him)
Founder of Field States
Matthew Claudel is a designer and writer. He is the founder of Field States, a benefit company whose mission is to create civic value using strategic design, and also an affiliate faculty member of Portland State University’s Department of Geography. Matthew was previously the Strategic Design Lead for Curative, a health care company seeking to end the Covid-19 pandemic. Matthew co-founded MIT’s designX program, where he was the Head of Civic Innovation and an instructor for four years. He has a doctorate in Advanced Urbanism from MIT, where his work focused on the emerging practices of urban experimentation as they relate to civic value.
Alumni
April Gao (she/her)
Designer (contractor)
April worked in and studied architecture and design for seven years before pivoting into equity-driven human centered design. She holds a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati, and was attending the Master of Architecture program at MIT before her career transition. During her time at MIT, she co-founded the student website out of frame at the start of the pandemic as a platform to further connect students.
Since leaving FMRA April has transitioned to pursue a career in UX design.
Kata Rolf (they/she)
Designer (contractor)
Kata has a background in education, curriculum design, and facilitation with a focus on equity and antiracism. Kata has been heavily involved in school innovation work. She co-designed the curriculum and processes at the recently opened High Meadows Graduate School of Teaching and Learning in Cambridge, MA. Additionally, she has worked as a design consultant for innovative high schools in both Massachusetts and Minnesota to support their work in reimagining what teaching and learning could look like if they were more grounded in community.
Since leaving FMRA Kata has joined People Rocket, an innovation consultancy based in San Francisco.
Amy Fang (she/her)
Designer (contractor)
Amy Fang started as an intern and became a designer at FMRA, working on numerous projects.
Since leaving FMRA, Amy has moved on to become a product analyst intern at Quizlet.
Companions
Flora Lee (she/her)
Flora is a watch dog, avid outdoors enthusiast, and big sister to Hamu. She loves hanging out during Zoom calls and learning about how to dismantle White Supremacy Culture.
Hamu Lee (he/him)
Hamu was the runt of the litter, but that doesn’t stop him from following his dreams. This growing pup is still learning how to hang out with big sis Flora without annoying her.
Ducky Roqué (she/her)
Bearded Dragon
Ducky is the most laid back member of the FMRA team, but sometimes she runs around the room to find a nice perch to soak up some sun. Most frequently found laying on Kata’s shoulder, Ducky also loves munching on broccoli, devouring hornworms, and finding cozy corners to sleep in. She sheds regularly but isn't shy about it. Ask her about it sometime.