Heli Shah, Assoc. AIA

Heli Shah, Assoc. AIA

Shah has remained in Georgia and joined Cooper Carry’s Atlanta office, where she is a vital member of the firm’s K-12 school design studio. Outside of her design work, she is deeply engaged with supporting student success and diversifying the pipeline of future architects by participating in architecture camps like Hip Hop Architecture and the Designers of Tomorrow Fair. Additionally, Shah has shared her experiences and wisdom with students at numerous Atlanta-area high schools. At Union Grove High School, she volunteers as a jury member and attends its senior architecture class to speak about her life as a BIPOC designer.

During her undergraduate studies, where she was one of the very few female students of color in her class, Shah did not see a clear path in the profession. As a result, she has focused on shaping a safe space for students to actively discuss inequities in academics, licensure, and the transition to professional life,  and she previously spoke on AIAS and NOMAS panels focused on topics such as work-life balance and equity, diversity, and inclusion. More recently, she delivered two guest lectures at Kennesaw State University on life after graduation and diversity in the profession.

As a student, Shah was an active leader in her AIAS chapter and served as its president, vice president, and liaison to AIA. Those experiences prompted a seamless transition to leadership roles at AIA Atlanta and AIA Georgia, where she has chaired the Young Architects Forum (YAF) and supported her emerging professional colleagues by providing engaging continuing education and social events. As the current Georgia statewide associate representative, she is fostering community and connection among her peers. She authored the article “Shaping Tomorrow: Exploring the Road-map for New Graduates” for YAF’s Connection Magazine: Education and Professional Development Addition, which explores topics relevant to recent graduates and proposes the creation of a resource handbook in collaboration with the National Associate Committee’s Knowledge Workgroup of Professional Development. As the state’s representative, Shah has visited AIA chapters across Georgia to share the committee’s mission and converse with Associate AIA members.

Though she finished her graduate studies in 2016, Shah has already made an indelible mark on the profession and, more importantly, those yet to join it. Through her leadership, energy, and sincerity, she has clearly distinguished herself as a role model and inspiration to her peers.