Sixer spotlight with Melissa Schaff

Melissa Schaff's path to civic tech wasn't linear—and that's exactly what makes her perspective so valuable. Before joining Agile Six, she worked across industries, always drawn to roles where she could help organizations better serve their customers.

Finding civic tech

"I didn't set out to work in government technology," Melissa admits. "But once I understood the impact this work could have, I was hooked. We're not just building apps—we're helping veterans access benefits, families find healthcare, people navigate some of the most stressful moments of their lives."

The power of human-centered design

As a Digital Services Strategist, Melissa helps teams understand their users and design services that actually work for them. "It sounds simple, but it's radical in government. Too often, services are designed around internal processes, not user needs."

She recalls a project where the team's initial assumptions were completely wrong. "We thought we understood the problem. Then we talked to users, and everything changed. That's why research matters."

What makes Agile Six different

"The culture here is real," Melissa says. "Self-management, trust, purpose—these aren't just words on a wall. We actually live them. I've never worked somewhere that so genuinely cares about its people."

Advice for aspiring civic technologists

"Don't underestimate the value of your non-government experience. Fresh perspectives are exactly what this field needs. And be patient—change in government takes time, but it's worth it."