How can AI and UX design be leveraged for real-world crisis response? In this episode of the UX Spotlight Series, Nate sits down with Cynthia Leimbach and Dr. Jess Mendoza, the visionaries behind LAHelpNow—a groundbreaking initiative born from the devastating January 2025 LA fires.
“It all started with a spark,” says Cynthia, a CX/CD and AI expert, reflecting on the moment the LA fires began. She asked herself: How can my skills make a real impact?
Cynthia and UX expert Dr. Jess Mendoza went on to found LAHelpNow.org, an organization dedicated to connecting people in crisis with real-time, verified resources—with the help of Lala, their AI-powered digital assistant.
Listen now to discover how AI, UX, and human-centered design are shaping the future of disaster relief and how you can be part of the movement!
Learn More & Get Involved:
- Website: https://lahelpnow.org/
- Help by Donating: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraisi…
Guests:
- Cynthia Leimbach – / cynthialeimbach
- Dr. Jess Mendoza – / jesstheresearcher
About the Guests
Cynthia Leimbach
Cynthia Leimbach is a CX and conversation design professional specializing in artificial intelligence, voice user interfaces, digital assistants, and global brand experiences. She combines creativity, technology, and human-centered design to create engaging customer experiences and help organizations explore new possibilities with conversational AI.
Dr. Jess Mendoza
Dr. Jess Mendoza is a cognitive psychologist turned UX researcher who specializes in understanding how people interact with technology. With a background in experimental psychology and cognition, she combines UX research, cognitive psychology, and generative AI to advocate for more human-centered technology and accessible AI experiences.
About the Host
Nate Brown
Nate Brown is an experienced account manager with a background in enterprise technology, client relationships, and revenue-focused account management. During his time at Userlytics, he worked closely with research teams and enterprise clients to help them maximize the value of the platform and get meaningful insights from their UX research. His broader career includes working with technology companies and financial institutions, with a focus on building long-term client partnerships and helping organizations address complex business challenges.
