Influential Woman · Architecture

Shaza Maia

Landscape Architect, Innovations Design Group

Orlando, FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's degree in Architecture Degree Master's degree in Architecture (in progress)

Her Story

About Shaza

My journey into architecture was completely unexpected. I'm originally from Syria and grew up in Saudi Arabia, and when my family moved to the U.S. in 2014, I wasn't mentally prepared for such a huge change. I was supposed to do pediatrics, but the medical field here was very different and I didn't want to go to school for 12 years. I tried different fields, including engineering like my dad who's a civil engineer, but didn't like it. Then my dad randomly suggested architecture, and I thought, why not? I ended up loving it. After graduating, I experimented with everything - event planning, art, sales jobs - just figuring things out. I found my home in landscape architecture for about 4 or 5 years, and honestly, what kept me there was my coworkers. My manager was also Middle Eastern, and we were just a team of two, killing it and having an amazing time designing together. Now I'm getting my master's in architecture with one of my best friends, and I'm launching two businesses: an interior and landscape architecture design firm called Studio with my partner Myrna, and an art studio doing murals with Tatiana. We recently completed a big mural in Orlando on a flower store's metal freezer that took 2-3 weeks. In my master's program, I feel like I've crossed the limits I had for myself when it comes to my style and how I approach things. Every part of my life is enjoyable because I do it with people I love - that's really what drives me.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Shaza

01What do you attribute your success to?

I really think it's just having a strong support system. My friends and family are really my number one motivator. Where I'm from, we have a saying that heaven without people is still like hell, basically. I feel like I've been surrounding myself with a lot of amazing people - I do art projects with one of my good friends, I go to school with one of my best friends, we signed up for our master's together. Every part of my life is enjoyable because I've just been doing it with people that I love. That's what has really led to where I am today.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say when you're younger, you kind of have the imposter syndrome kick in. When you are surrounded by so many people that know a lot more, that kind of makes you question everything. You just have to enjoy that phase of just embracing being an idiot sometimes. Like, I don't know half of this stuff, and that's okay - that's the whole part of this journey, basically. And experimenting a lot, not being afraid to do things different ways, and kind of figuring out what works best for you. That's how you really hone in on your own style.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I think, honestly, the biggest value that I have is just really embracing who you are. Especially nowadays, you see a lot on social media, and there's so many things that you could do and you could be. I always get my friends telling me that I make them feel comfortable to just not care about what everybody else says or thinks, and just going for it. I think just being honest and true to who you are is one of my biggest values. As long as you're not hurting anyone or making anybody's life worse, you can pretty much do whatever you want.

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