UXPA Boston Board Nominee: Zhongqi Fu

Hi, I’m Zhongqi — an award-winning senior product designer based in Boston with over 6 years of experience in UX/UI and product strategy. I’ve led design at fast-growing startups, including two unicorns, and currently drive product innovation at Electric Hydrogen, a leader in clean energy tech. With a master’s in architectural design from Columbia University, I bring a systems-thinking and spatial approach to crafting intuitive digital experiences.

Outside of work, I’ve mentored over 200 junior designers, many of whom went on to top design programs like MIT, Harvard, and CMU. I’m passionate about community building, career coaching, and advancing design excellence. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to UXPA Boston and help foster an inclusive, supportive space for UX professionals to grow and connect.

I am eager to serve as a Board Member of UXPA Boston because I believe I can offer a unique and valuable perspective to the community. With an academic background in architectural design from Columbia University and a professional transition into UX/UI, I understand the challenges many face when entering this field. My own journey—from architecture to product design—was not an easy one, and I deeply appreciate the mentorship and guidance I received along the way. As I’ve grown into a senior role, I feel strongly that it is now my time to give back, support others, and help shape a more inclusive and supportive UX community.

Over the past four years, I have actively volunteered as a design mentor, working with over 200 junior designers on topics such as graduate school applications, interview preparation, design skill-building, and career development. I’ve supported mentees in gaining admission to top institutions and landing roles in competitive companies, and I’m proud of the impact this work has had. I am confident that, as a board member, I could continue to scale this support and bring value to a broader audience.

Additionally, being based in downtown Boston, I would be readily available to contribute to in-person events, workshops, and community gatherings, helping to strengthen UXPA Boston’s local presence and engagement.

My previous volunteering experience reflects a strong commitment to education, mentorship, and community engagement within the design field. From 2021 to 2023, I served as a jury member on the graduation committee at California State University, Long Beach, where I provided feedback and evaluation for student design projects and thesis presentations. This role allowed me to support emerging designers at a pivotal point in their academic journey.

In addition, I have volunteered as a design mentor for over 200 junior designers and students globally, providing guidance on portfolio development, interview preparation, and graduate school applications. Many of my mentees have been successfully admitted to prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Columbia, and Carnegie Mellon.

Earlier in my career, I also worked as a teaching assistant at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation from 2018 to 2019. That experience further shaped my passion for design education and mentorship, which I continue to carry into my community work today.